Athan Kaliakmanis - Commanders QB
Nobody expected quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis to see the field as a rookie. But with injuries to Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota, the seventh-round pick was thrown into the fire.
The Washington Commanders had little choice. Kaliakmanis got some reps against the Indianapolis Colts when Mariota got hurt early in the game, and after some early jitters, he showed glimpses of aggression and conviction.
Kaliakmanis has athleticism. He's got the arm strength, and he will have gained a tremendous amount from this experience. Daniels is now back, and Mariota will be soon. That works fine for the rookie and the Commanders, who always saw him as a project rather than someone who could play an immediate role.
The Rutgers product can sling it. Everything was moving a little too fast, as expected, but there is still time to grow. And he might even fill the QB2 role behind Daniels next year.
Verdict: Stock Up ⬆️
Matt Gulbin - Commanders OL
The Commanders' offensive line is struggling. Aside from Sam Cosmi and Josh Conerly Jr. on the right-hand side, nothing is clicking. That's a big problem, and it could force head coach Dan Quinn into some drastic changes after the bye week.
That's to be determined. But any alterations may not include sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin.
Washington gave Gulbin a chance to start in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts. Nick Allegretti went to the bench, and the Michigan State product filled in for Cosmi at right guard. It didn't take long to see this was going to be a disaster.
Gulbin looked lost. He got blown up on the play that injured veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota, and he hasn't been seen in the starting lineup since.
The sixth-rounder was a development project. Washington wanted to see how far along he was, and he flopped. Gulbin has a lot of hard work ahead.
Verdict: Stock Down ⬇️
Kaytron Allen, RB
The Kaytron Allen saga was bizarre, to put it mildly. As a result, he now plays for another NFL franchise.
With Jeremy McNichols gearing up to return from injured reserve and the Commanders reuniting with Austin Ekeler, someone had to make way. The Seattle Seahawks plucked Robert Henry Jr. off the practice squad, but general manager Adam Peters still deemed Allen surplus to requirements.
Peters released him strategically. He knew teams would struggle to make room for Allen once they were deep into game-week preparations, and the Commanders wanted to bring him back to the practice squad once he cleared waivers.
The front-office leader misread the interest in Allen. The Miami Dolphins claimed the running back, and others also submitted requests. He hasn't played for the AFC East club yet, but it'll take time to get up to speed.
As for the Commanders? They lost both Henry and Allen while Jacory Croskey-Merritt went to injured reserve. Just a bad look all around.
Verdict: Stock Down ⬇️
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