The Commanders’ preseason opener was not a good football game. At times it got difficult to watch. But if you tuned in to watch a competitive football game, you might have missed the point.
Normally, we can expect to see the starters knocking off the cobwebs for at least a series or two, before the backups and roster hopefuls hit the field. This year, Dan Quinn devoted the entire preseason opener to player evaluation. Hopefully that means he doesn’t have a lot of questions about the starting roster.
On Friday, Quinn only played around half dozen players with realistic chances to vie for starting reps or major rotational roles. Most of the players on the field were competing to move up in the depth ranks, or just to earn a place on the 53 man roster or the practice squad. That might help explain the sloppy play and poor execution.
And despite what you might have heard, if you stuck it out, there were actually some encouraging performances from the Commanders’ young players, depth pieces and roster hopefuls.
Here are some players who made the most of their opportunities to impress the coaches in the Commanders preseason opener against the New England Patriots.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 08: Jacory Croskey-Merritt #32 of the Washington Commanders is tackled during the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 08: Jacory Croskey-Merritt #32 of the Washington Commanders is tackled during the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
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Kliff Kingsbury called an unbalanced game on offense that would make Eric Bienemy blush, with 41 passing attempts to 25 rush attempts. The coaches might have more questions to answer about the passing game than the running game. There was something to see in both phases.
Offensive Line
The Commanders still have a few questions to answer about the starting OL lineup. But the bigger concern might be the state of their OL depth, which is still rebuilding after years of neglect. There were some encouraging signs on both levels.
RT Josh Conerly Jr. (6’ 5”, 311 lbs, 8.85 RAS) – The Commanders’ first round pick will be pushing to overtake veteran Andrew Wylie for the starting RT position. In New England, Conerly played 21/71 offensive snaps, exclusively at RT. According to PFF he allowed 1 QB hurry in 14 pass block snaps, equating to a 7.14% pressure rate. That’s a little bit higher than the 5% pressure rate you hope to see from a starting OT, but the sample size is too small to be really meaningful, especially against preseason competition. OTs more often than not take at least a year to round into starting form, if that’s where they are headed. PFF gave Conerly the highest run blocking grade on the team, a respectable 77.7 to those who believe in PFF grades.
RT/RG Bobby Hart (6’4’, 310 lbs, RAS 1.6) – Hart was drafted by the Giants in 2015, but will only be 31 this season. He started 67 games at RT for four teams to 2022, then was not picked up by a team in 2023 and 2024. Hart played 34 snaps at RT and 16 at LT against the Patriots. He allowed 0 pressures in 32 pass block snaps and earned a 60.2 run block grade. He is a long shot to make the final 53 or even the PS. His solid performance on Friday might have helped his cause.
**LG Chris Paul (**6’4”, 323 lbs, RAS 9.43) – Entering his fourth NFL season, is one of the few holdovers from Ron Rivera’s roster. He played 48 snaps at LG, allowing 0 pressures and earning a 74.3 PFF run blocking grade (third best on team). That solid performance might have helped fend off competitors for his position as a backup guard.
LT Trent Scott (6’ 5”, 320 lbs, RAS 1.25) – The seven year veteran is in the mix for the swing tackle position, but also offers versatility to play guard when needed. He played exclusively at LT against the Patriots and allowed 1 QB hurry in 35 pass block snaps. His 2.86% pressure rate would be an elite figure for an LT, if he could maintain it for a season against NFL starters. His 63.7 run blocking grade was good.
Wide Receiver
The first five WR spots are likely taken by Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, Noah Brown, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane. After them, it’s an open competition for last remaining roster spot. 2024 UDFA Ja’Corey Brooks was the Commanders’ standout player on offense. Three other roster hopefuls might have helped their cases in the competition for practice squad spots.
Ja’Corey Brooks (6’ 2”, 184 lbs, 4.65 sec 40, RAS 4.15) – the UDFA out of Louisville started building hype in camp and kept it rolling by catching 5/5 targets for a team leading 59 yds in his preseason debut. Brooks lived up to his draft profile by tacking on 4.6 YAC/reception. Brooks got the most playing time of Washington’s receivers, but even so achieved elite level productivity at 3.28 Yards/Route Run against the Patriots backups and roster hopefuls. He also posted a decent 61.4 run block grade. If he can demonstrate an ability to separate from starting CBs, he could be tough competition for the 6th WR spot on the 53 man roster.
Tay Martin (6’ 3”, 185 lbs, 4.58 sec 40, RAS 6.49) – Brooks wasn’t the only WR to catch every pass thrown to him. Martin caught 3/3 for 36 yds, and a long of 22 yds, with two contested catches. Martin signed as a UDFA with the 49ers in 2022, during Adam Peters’ tenure. Last season he had his first career reception with the Titans. He faces stiff competition for place on the practice squad.
Braylon Sanders (6’ 0”, 190 lbs, 4.48 sec 40, RAS 7.65) – Sanders only played 16 snaps, but managed to catch 2/2 targets for 19 yds and a first down. That effort was good for 3.17 Y/RR, which would put him in elite territory if he could sustain it for a full season against NFL starters.
Jacoby Jones (6’ 1”, 225 lbs, 4.68 sec 40) – Jones is a big unit whose best shot at making an NFL roster is probably as a big possession receiver. He took 13/15 offensive snaps in the slot, and caught 2/3 targets for 7 yds, 1 first down, and 1 TD, with 1 contested catch. He reminds me of last year’s Mason-Brennan hopeful Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and likely has as good a chance of making the roster. He did about as much as he could to help his chances against the Patriots.
Running Back
To put the RB numbers below into context, it might be helpful to appreciate how little help they got from their blockers. None of the three featured players enjoyed more than 1 yard before contact.
Demetric Felton Jr. (5’ 9”, 190 lbs, 4.59 sec 40, RAS 0.91) – Felton was drafted by the Browns in 2021 as a pass catching back with potential to switch to receiver. He has 4 career starts, but hasn’t been active for a game since 2022. He was the most productive RB for the Commanders, taking 6 carries for 42 yds (7.0 Y/A), despite averaging -0.5 Yards Before Contact/Attempt. According to PFF, he also forced four missed tackles. He was not targeted as a receiver. His performance might help him claim the practice squad spot vacated by Michael Wiley.
Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt (5’ 10”, 208 lbs, 4.45 sec 40, RAS 8.29) – The man everyone came to see posted a fairly pedestrian 3.4 Y/A rushing average. But his effort was anything but a walk in the park to anyone who watched him run. He did a great job of creating his own running lanes, out of necessity. He averaged 0.29 YBC/Att, and forced 2 missed tackles. Every yard he gained was earned. He also caught his lone target for 8 yds. It will be interesting to see what he can do behind the starting OL, and maybe some lead blocking by John Bates.
Jeremy McNichols (5’ 9”, 205 lbs, 4.49 sec 40, RAS 8.39) – The Commanders’ short yardage specialist took 8 carries for 18 yards (6.0 Y/A), 2 first downs and a 1 TD, to end the afternoon with a perfect 100% rushing success rate. He also caught his lone passing target for a 14 yd gain.
Lawrence Cager (6’ 5”, 220 lbs, 4.65 sec 40) – Baltimore native, Cager signed with the Jets as a UDFA in 2020, and has spent time with four teams, earning five career starts. He was the most productive receiver for the Commanders on Friday, posting a whopping 5.0 Y/RR. He caught 2/2 passes for 35 yds, with one going 33 yds. His 75.5 run blocking grade was also the second highest on the team.
FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 08: New England Patriots running back Lan Larison (34) tackled by Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (39) during the NFL preseason game between Washington Commanders and New England Patriots on August 8, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 08: New England Patriots running back Lan Larison (34) tackled by Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (39) during the NFL preseason game between Washington Commanders and New England Patriots on August 8, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Defensive End
The Commanders’ biggest weakness last season was run defense, and there was a glaring vulnerability at RDE. They brought in reinforcements in free agency to help shore up the edge defense, but only one of the new additions played, with minimal impact. The brightest spot on the edge in New England was a returning player.
Jalyn Holmes (6’ 5”, 283 lbs, RAS 6.82) – Holmes has switched between DT and DE throughout his seven year NFL journey, but has played exclusively at Edge for the Commanders. Against the Patriots, he took 23 snaps at RDE, 1 at ROLB, and 10 at LDE. He recorded 2 pressures in 19 pass rush snaps (10.5% pressure rate), and made 1 run stop on 15 rushing downs (6.7% stop rate). Holmes became an integral part of the Edge rotation after being picked up midseason last year as an injury replacement. He is probably competing with disappointing 2024 starter Clelin Ferrell for a position on the DE depth chart.
Defensive Tackle
The iDL was another focus of offseason investment, but the big ticket addition had a veteran rest day. With the presumptive “starters” resting, the best iDL performances were turned in by a second year player and a returning rotational player.
Johnny Newton (6’ 2”, 295 lbs, RAS 7.73) – Newton used his surprising speed to get to Drake Maye for the Commanders’ only sack of the afternoon, which resulted in the only defensive takeaway. He produced two total QB pressures in just 11 pass rush snaps resulting in an impressive 18.2% pressure rate. Take that with a grain of salt due to the small sample size and modest level of competition. On the not so positive side, he also missed a tackle, and got pushed around by offensive linemen. Newton was on the field for a total of 15 defensive snaps, with 10 snaps taken at LDT.
Sheldon Day (6’ 1”, 285 lbs, RAS 6.06) – Day played 27 defensive snaps, with 14 of those taken at RDT. He produced a QB hit and two hurries in 16 pass rush snaps (18.8% pressure rate).
Neither Day, nor Newton recorded a run stop. Newton barely had a chance because he only played 4 run defense snaps. Norell Pollard was the only defensive lineman to record a run stop in the entire game.
Cornerback
Trey Amos (6’ 1”, 195 lbs, 4.43 sec 40, RAS 8.85) – The second round pick out of Mississippi was on the field for a total of 13 defensive snaps. He didn’t record any stats in coverage, which is a good thing for a CB. He was targeted once in coverage, on an attempted pass to 6’4” WR Mack Hollins who failed to make the catch. Amos only played five snaps in run defense and came up with one run stop, which put him even with the entire defensive line. He is the man to beat for the CB2 role to start the season.
Noah Igbinoghene (5’11”, 197 lbs, 4.48 sec 40, RAS 8.73) – the former first round pick who followed Dan Quinn to Washington is possibly the Commanders’ most underrated player. He played 39 defensive snaps against the Patriots, mostly in the slot, and allowed 3 receptions out of 5 targets for 17 yards. He also made 3 defensive stops, which tied another player for the team lead. In the not so great column, one of the receptions he allowed was a TD and he missed a tackle. Igbinoghene played like a quality starter in coverage last season, and was Washington’s most productive CB at stopping the run. He has a lock on the backup slot CB role, and has versatility to play outside if needed.
Jeremy Reaves (5’11”, 200 lbs, 4.66 sec 40, RAS 1.41) – Last but certainly not least, Washington’s best defender on the afternoon was All-Pro Reavo. Reaves made his presence felt with some jarring hits. In 12 coverage snaps, he was targeted twice and allowed one reception for two yards. In just nine run defense snaps, he made two stops, for a whopping 22.2% Run Stop Rate. Reaves tied Igbinoghene for the most defensive stops on the team. The coaches have been talking about getting Reavo more involved on defense, and he showed why that might be a good idea.