Commanders news: Jayden Daniels, Adam Peters, Jordan Magee and Chigozie Anusiem
By Dean Jones
Chigozie Anusiem's roster chances
Undrafted free agents have more challenges than most entering the league. They weren't deemed good enough to have their names called during the 2024 NFL Draft, so it's a case of starting from the bottom up in pursuit of carving out roles for themselves.
It's tough, but not impossible by any stretch of the imagination. One player coming into the Commanders with some intrigue is Chigozie Anusiem, who was coveted by half the league before signing in Washington thanks in no small part to a $50,000 signing bonus and $300,000 in fully guaranteed salary.
This is a sign that the Commanders believe there is something to work with where Anusiem is concerned. Ryan Fowler from The Bleacher Report lent further weight to these claims, picking the cornerback as an undrafted free agent with the best chance of making the Commanders' 53-man roster in 2024.
"A long and physical corner, Chigozie Anusiem fits the mold of what new Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn covets in his perimeter defenders. He's built eerily similar to the corners already in Washington. Anusiem's ability to seamlessly work downhill as a Cover 3 corner should give him a floor for success in the NFL. Questions still remain about Benjamin St-Juste and 2023 first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes, so a solid showing this summer could help Anusiem suit up in a key rotational role for Washington this fall."
It'll be interesting to see how the Colorado State product copes with his upcoming transition. There is a window of opportunity awaiting Anusiem given the aforementioned questions surrounding the team's outside cornerback options. Tempering expectations would be wise initially, but he's in the best possible spot to develop his craft thanks to the presence of head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
Both Quinn and Whitt have proven credentials when it comes to helping defensive backs exceed initial projections. If Anusiem can benefit and respond positively to coaching, he's got a shot.