Commanders initial 53-man roster projection after 2024 preseason finale

Commanders safeties (6)

• Jeremy Chinn, Quan Martin, Darrick Forrest, Tyler Owens, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves

The Washington Commanders have some tough choices to make in the safety room. This is a highly competitive unit with plenty of outstanding playmakers despite not bringing back Kamren Curl. Adam Peters will be removing good players from the equation where this position group is concerned.

Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin are the starting duo and look capable of providing an upgrade. Darrick Forrest should make it despite being demoted to a backup. A sensational offseason from undrafted free agent Tyler Owens this summer saw him go from an afterthought to a roster lock. That leaves a couple of spots up for grabs which could go either way.

The Commanders might opt to go with Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler thanks in no small part to their special teams production. That would leave sixth-rounder Dominique Hampton out of luck, which is a big call to make given how high the front office was on the player before the draft.

Commanders cornerbacks (6)

• Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil, Michael Davis, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Tariq Castro-Fields, Noah Igbinoghene

This is arguably the weakest position group heading into the 2024 campaign. Second-round rookie Mike Sainristil looks like a potential superstar and Washington's best cornerback already. That's extremely positive, but it's also an indictment of the other options available.

Benjamin St-Juste, Michael Davis, and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. look like the best available perimeter options. All three - especially the former Mississippi State star - come into the season with significant questions attached.

There's a lot to like about the way Tariq Castro-Fields applied himself over the offseason, which should be enough to make the initial 53-man roster. Noah Igbinoghene's familiarity with Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. potentially gives him the edge over players like James Pierre and undrafted free agent Chigozie Anusiem.

Commanders linebackers (5)

• Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jordan Magee, Anthony Pittman, Jamin Davis

This is dependent on Jordan Magee's health. The rookie linebacker underwent a procedure following a meniscus injury suffered in the preseason. If the Commanders placed him on injured reserve, it would open up a spot for someone like veteran Mykal Walker.

It's also the reason why Jamin Davis is listed as a linebacker. The former first-round selection's been transitioning to an edge rushing role and showed signs of life over the final two weeks of camp. Magee's injury could change Washington's plans slightly depending on the prognosis, but there's just no telling for sure right now.

Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are the core components at the defensive second level and should transform a unit that became an afterthought throughout Ron Rivera's tenure. Anthony Pittman's prowess on special teams gives him the nod over others.