Washington Commanders rookies are in the building for training camp. They will be joined by the veterans early next week, signaling the resumption of intriguing roster battles that fans will keep a close eye on.
General manager Adam Peters enhanced the quality from top to bottom throughout another busy recruitment period. The Commanders didn't have the luxury of standing still, and the front-office leader knew it.
Previous reputations didn't matter, and the roster looks a lot stronger now. This also brings added heat to those aiming for important roles, rotational spots, or places on the 53-man roster.
Everyone is getting their chance. Washington's early offseason program provided a few clues, but training camp and the preseason are where the dominoes fall into place before Week 1.
With this in mind, we picked out the most important Commanders position battles and predicted who might come out on top when push comes to shove.
Predicting the winners of Washington Commanders' most intense training camp battles
Commanders starting center
The Commanders took a massive risk by releasing starting center Tyler Biadasz this offseason. He was a solid performer and a popular figure in the locker room. It caught everyone off guard, but Adam Peters felt it was the right thing to take the offense forward.
Nick Allegretti got an extension ahead of time this offseason. He is confident of filling the role, and filling it well. The Commanders are making him earn it over the summer, with Dan Quinn also eager to see what sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin can do in the preseason pressure cooker.
Quinn might be calling this a competition, but it seems Allegretti has a significant advantage over Gulbin. He's far more experienced, and putting the offensive line anchor role in the hands of a Day 3 pick right out of the gate is inconceivable with so much at stake in 2026.
Prediction: Nick Allegretti (C1)
Commanders' second safety slot
This one will be interchangeable. Daronte Jones has preached the importance of speed and versatility within his defensive system, especially in the secondary. The Commanders have questions to answer on the back end, but aside from free-agent signing Nick Cross, the rest are in a real fight for involvement.
Will Harris, Quan Martin, and Jeremy Reaves are the likeliest candidates to line up alongside Cross initially. Tyler Owens' athleticism must become something more, and Percy Butler is seen more as a special-teamer. And if Martin spends more time in the nickel, that will open things up further.
Cross must become a difference-maker. That looks possible, especially closer to the line of scrimmage. The Commanders need consistency in coverage behind him, and even though Harris has not exactly shone in that regard, he could be the guy with a healthy training camp.
Prediction: Will Harris (S2)
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