The Washington Commanders made a series of roster moves after their preseason hammering by the New England Patriots. One notable departure instantly served as a warning to others.
Dominique Hampton, a 2024 fifth-round pick, was unceremoniously removed by general manager Adam Peters. And that is significant.
The former Washington Huskies star struggled to get on the field as a rookie. It was hoped that a transition from safety to linebacker might help him find a role, but one preseason contest was enough to tell Peters everything he needed to know.
Commanders' 2024 draft class is on notice after Dominique Hampton's exit
Hampton's release may not seem like a big deal. But as an affirmation of the high standards that this regime holds, it means everything.
He is the first player to depart the Commanders roster from the 2024 NFL Draft class, which was Washington's first after Peters assumed control of the front office. Despite the home-run selections of quarterback Jayden Daniels and cornerback Mike Sainristil making the group a success, the fifth-rounder has not been alone in his struggles.
Defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste, a seventh-round flyer, could follow Hampton out the door. The Ohio State and Notre Dame product made Washington's roster last fall and showed some flashes of potential, but he was buried on the depth chart by veteran additions this summer. He'll be squarely on the bubble when final cuts are due.
More importantly, two players who need to be looking at Hampton's release as a major wake-up call are second-round tight end Ben Sinnott and third-round wide receiver Luke McCaffrey. The former received only five passes for 28 receiving yards and a touchdown as a rookie last season, while the latter hauled in 18 catches for 168 yards and no scores.
Both of them should firmly make this year's roster, but it's put up or shut up. And Peters won't hesitate to make more tough choices if he feels like it can benefit the squad.
They'll need to carve out significant roles, and the opportunities are there. If Sinnott and McCaffrey can't showcase major growth in Year 2, they'll find themselves in danger of not getting a third chance.
The Commanders aren't messing around. They're in a Super Bowl window, and they don't have time to wait for developmental projects to figure it out.
It's unfortunate for a player like Hampton. He might have become something in a different world, and perhaps he still could somewhere else. But Washington has business to take care of, and the message has been delivered.
If you're not good enough, you're not going to be part of it — long-term investment or not.
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