The initial Commanders 53-man roster has been set. Washington had to make a series of cuts before Sunday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline to do so, and formally announced those transactions shortly after.
The word “initial” in that first sentence is key, considering there are obvious gaps to fill and adjustments to be made before facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 13.
This remaining group battled through a training camp and preseason designed to heighten competition throughout the roster. The Commanders went through some trials over the last six-ish weeks, with injuries impacting most every position group listed below.
Losing elite left tackle Laremy Tunsil was a major blow that set the offensive line off its axis. Going through most of this summer’s work without center Nick Allegretti (calf) exposed flaws in offensive line depth, at that position and guard.
Trey Amos is dealing with ankle issues and was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return. So was running back Jeremy McNichols (quad). In addition, the three best members of the defensive front – Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson and Daron Payne – have been out the past few weeks.
Expect general manager Adam Peters to keep an eye on the waiver wire and make some pickups as we move forward.
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While we know moves are coming, let’s break down this 53-man roster as currently constructed by position group, with an eye on what comes next:
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Jayden Daniels
Marcus Mariota
Athan Kaliakmanis
Analysis: The Commanders stick with three quarterbacks, a smart move for right now considering Marcus Mariota’s recovering from a right MCL sprain. The Commanders obviously hope Jayden Daniels takes every snap representing the quarterbacks. Kaliakmanis showed well in the preseason, and has the developmental QB spot previously held by Sam Hartman.
RUNNING BACKS (3)
Bill Croskey-Merritt
Rachaad White
Kaytron Allen
Note: Jeremy McNichols was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return
Analysis: The Commanders have just three running backs on the roster right now, but that figures to change in the coming days. Going with three runners seems like a razor-thin margin. Bill Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White will take most of the carries, with Allen in reserve.
RECEIVERS (7)
Terry McLaurin
Stefon Diggs
Antonio Williams
Luke McCaffrey
Jaylin Lane
Treylon Burks
Dyami Brown
Analysis: Keeping seven receivers should be considered unorthodox, but Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey are the primary returners and essential components of the kick/punt coverage teams. Will Washington hang on to seven receivers all season? That seems doubtful.
The Commanders clearly weren’t ready to give up on McCaffrey, a dynamic playmaker who had an up-and-down camp.
Overall, this group is super deep and clearly fortified by the Stefon Diggs signing. Antonio Williams looks like the real deal and should see significant playing time right away.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
John Bates
Chig Okonkwo
Ben Sinnott
Colson Yankoff
Analysis: The Commanders need four tight ends considering how many multiple-TE sets they’ll run. This was always the intended quartet, with a versatile group that can block and be impactful in the passing game.
Colson Yankoff earned his spot with a strong camp and former second-rounder Ben Sinnott has potential to be weapon in Washington’s new scheme.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10)
Brandon Coleman
Chris Paul
Nick Allegretti
Sam Cosmi
Josh Conerly Jr.
D.J. Humphries
Andrew Wylie
Matt Gulbin
Laremy Tunsil
Tanoa Togiai
Analysis: There’s just no way this collection will be what Washington brings to the regular-season opener. They need another center, possibly an interior lineman to round out the group. Expect Washington to be active on the waiver wire come Monday.
Undrafted guard Tanoa Togiai was a surprise inclusion, but the Utah product is a people mover and will be a top reserve at the guard spot. Or he might be a short-term player on the active roster, moved in favor of a more experienced guard or center acquired via waivers or free agency.
Laremy Tunsil is on the active roster but will surely be placed on injured reserve tomorrow. This move allows the Commanders to save one of eight designations to return should it be determined down the line that he’s done for the year.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
Daron Payne
Charles Omenihu
Tim Settle
Javon Kinlaw
Johnny Newton
Ricky Barber
Analysis: Seeing Shy Tuttle cut was a bit of a surprise, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Washington expects to bring him back before Week 1. That means there’s a handshake deal to get him back on the roster – he’s a veteran and therefore not subject to waivers – that will help the Commanders sneak another player onto the roster.
Newton will move to IR tomorrow, with Tuttle likely returning. As with the Tunsil scenario, this allows Washington to preserve a designation to return should Newton not be able to come back.
Ricky Barber earned his place in this group with a strong preseason. He should be helpful on the back end of the rotation.
EDGE RUSHERS (4)
Odafe Oweh
K’Lavon Chaisson
Joshua Josephs
Javontae Jean-Baptiste
NOTE: Dorance Armstrong was placed on the reserve/suspended list.
Analysis: Expect Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson to play a ton on rushing and passing downs. Joshua Josephs looks pretty good for a rookie Day 3 pick. Javontae Jean-Baptiste had a strong preseason as well.
And don’t forget that Dorance Armstrong will be a heavy part of the mix once he returns from a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (5)
Sonny Styles
Frankie Luvu
Leo Chenal
Jordan Magee
Kain Medrano
Analysis: While Kain Medrano didn’t finish strong — his preseason finale was not the best — the athletic linebacker will be a core piece of Washington’s special teams and fits the profile of athletic linebackers. Jordan Magee should be the primary backup, with Sonny Styles, Frankie Luvu and Leo Chenal playing a ton.
CORNERBACKS (3)
Mike Sainristil
Amik Robertson
Rasul Douglas
NOTE: Trey Amos was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return.
Analysis: Let’s just be frank. There is no way in holy heck that the Commanders go into Week 1 with just three cornerbacks, even with a versatile group of safeties who can play in the slot and a number of three-safety looks in store this season.
You’d think that Fabian Moreau will be back soon. Either him or Antonio Hamilton Sr.
Also, this Trey Amos situation is concerning. He has practiced just twice since fracturing his fibula last season, and has now been placed on IR.
Washington fortified the position group with savvy veteran Rasul Douglas.
It’ll be interesting to see who plays in the slot, whether it’s Mike Sainristil or Amik Robertson or a safety. Coordinator Daronte Jone has options.
SAFETIES (5)
Quan Martin
Nick Cross
Jeremy Reaves
Tyler Owens
Percy Butler
Analysis: The Will Harris cut settled the safety group into this fashion. Nick Cross is a true three-down player, and while Jeremy Reaves has generally been a first-teamer, don’t count Quan Martin out after a strong preseason.
Tyler Owens’ excellent work this summer may have earned him a defensive role. He’s a thumper, man, a tone setter who could play well in the slot. Martin can play inside as well.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Drew Stevens
Tress Way
Tyler Ott
Analysis: Drew Stevens being named the kicker over Jake Moody took the intrigue out of this segment of the roster. Tress Way’s as good as punters get and Tyler Ott’s a cagey vet.