The preseason schedule is complete, and NFL teams trimmed their rosters to 53 players on Tuesday afternoon. Both rookies and veterans alike were released, with different rules applying for each. Players with less than four accrued seasons must pass through the waiver wire to become unrestricted free agents. An accrued season is defined as six or more games on either a team’s roster, injured reserve, or physically unable to perform list. Players that have four or more accrued seasons are immediately
free agents and may sign with a team at any time.
Adam Peters has done a remarkable job of improving the talent of the team’s roster in a short amount of time, but while some groups (OL, TE, CB) have impressive depth, others could still use an infusion of talent. The following is a list of players that Adam Peters could consider following the deadline. Keep in mind that relatively few players are claimed during this period, and last year Washington submitted no claims. The Commanders also hold the 29th spot on the waiver order by virtue of last season’s NFC Championship appearance so talented players will have to be passed over by multiple teams to reach them. Peters did pursue and sign Noah Brown as an unrestricted free agent last year, which demonstrates he is willing to actively explore all options at final cutdowns.
Quarterback
Sam Hartman’s performance in the preseason cost him his roster spot, although, for some reason, Washington appears to have interest in re-signing him to the practice squad. Josh Johnson managed to make the final roster on a team that likes to carry three quarterbacks. However, given his play during the preseason, and the fact that Marcus Mariota is battling tendonitis, Washington should be in the market for an upgrade at QB3. I think Peters will want a veteran that can play as the emergency third quarterback versus a developmental player, so I only considered quarterbacks that were unrestricted free agents.
Tyler Huntley (FA)
A former undrafted free agent, Huntley found his way onto the Baltimore Ravens active roster from 2021-2023 and landed with the Dolphins in 2024. All told, he has started 14 games in his NFL career, nine with the Ravens and five with the Dolphins with a 5-9 record. Huntley is a mobile quarterback with enough arm to attack the short to intermediate part of the field and has modest rushing and passing statistics over his career.
| Season | Age | Team | Lg | Pos | G | GS | QBrec | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | TD% | Int | Int% | 1D | Succ% | Lng | Y/A | AY/A | Y/C | Y/G | Rate | QBR | Sk | Yds | Sk% | NY/A | ANY/A | 4QC | GWD | AV | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 22 | BAL | NFL | QB | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 60.0 | 15 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 20.0 | 8 | 3.0 | 3.00 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 64.6 | 1.4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021 | 23 | BAL | NFL | QB | 7 | 4 | 1-3-0 | 122 | 188 | 64.9 | 1081 | 3 | 1.6 | 4 | 2.1 | 55 | 41.3 | 43 | 5.8 | 5.11 | 8.9 | 154.4 | 76.6 | 55.0 | 18 | 107 | 8.74 | 4.73 | 4.15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 24 | BAL | NFL | QB | 6 | 4 | 2-2-0 | 75 | 112 | 67.0 | 658 | 2 | 1.8 | 3 | 2.7 | 31 | 42.9 | 40 | 5.9 | 5.03 | 8.8 | 109.7 | 77.2 | 43.0 | 7 | 34 | 5.88 | 5.24 | 4.45 | 1 | 1 | 3 | PB |
| 2023 | 25 | BAL | NFL | QB | 5 | 1 | 0-1-0 | 21 | 37 | 56.8 | 203 | 3 | 8.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 13 | 41.5 | 27 | 5.5 | 7.11 | 9.7 | 40.6 | 99.3 | 56.7 | 4 | 28 | 9.76 | 4.27 | 5.73 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 26 | MIA | NFL | QB | 5 | 5 | 2-3-0 | 86 | 133 | 64.7 | 829 | 3 | 2.3 | 3 | 2.3 | 45 | 40.5 | 25 | 6.2 | 5.67 | 9.6 | 165.8 | 80.1 | 35.2 | 15 | 92 | 10.14 | 4.98 | 4.47 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| 5 Yrs | 25 | 14 | 5-9-0 | 307 | 475 | 64.6 | 2786 | 11 | 2.3 | 10 | 2.1 | 144 | 41.2 | 43 | 5.9 | 5.38 | 9.1 | 111.4 | 79.3 | 44 | 261 | 8.48 | 4.87 | 4.42 | 3 | 3 | 9 | ||||||
| 17 Game Avg | 17 | 10 | 3-14 | 209 | 323 | 64.6 | 1894 | 7 | 2.3 | 7 | 2.1 | 98 | 41.2 | 43 | 5.9 | 5.38 | 9.1 | 111.4 | 79.3 | 30 | 177 | 8.48 | 4.87 | 4.42 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||||||
| BAL (4 Yrs) | 20 | 9 | 3-6-0 | 221 | 342 | 64.6 | 1957 | 8 | 2.3 | 7 | 2.0 | 99 | 41.5 | 43 | 5.7 | 5.27 | 8.9 | 97.9 | 79.0 | 29 | 169 | 7.82 | 4.82 | 4.40 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||||||
| MIA (1 Yr) | 5 | 5 | 2-3-0 | 86 | 133 | 64.7 | 829 | 3 | 2.3 | 3 | 2.3 | 45 | 40.5 | 25 | 6.2 | 5.67 | 9.6 | 165.8 | 80.1 | 15 | 92 | 10.14 | 4.98 | 4.47 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Age | Team | Lg | Pos | G | GS | Att | Yds | TD | 1D | Succ% | Lng | Y/A | Y/G | A/G | Tgt | Rec | Yds | TD | 1D | R/G | Y/G | Touch | Y/Tch | YScm | RRTD | Fmb | Awards |
| 2020 | 22 | BAL | NFL | QB | 2 | 0 | 10 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 10.0 | 19 | 2.3 | 11.5 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10 | 2.3 | 23 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 23 | BAL | NFL | QB | 7 | 4 | 47 | 294 | 2 | 22 | 55.3 | 21 | 6.3 | 42.0 | 6.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 47 | 6.3 | 294 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 24 | BAL | NFL | QB | 6 | 4 | 43 | 137 | 1 | 12 | 39.5 | 14 | 3.2 | 22.8 | 7.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 43 | 3.2 | 137 | 1 | 3 | PB |
| 2023 | 25 | BAL | NFL | QB | 5 | 1 | 15 | 55 | 0 | 3 | 40.0 | 11 | 3.7 | 11.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 15 | 3.7 | 55 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 26 | MIA | NFL | QB | 5 | 5 | 26 | 135 | 2 | 10 | 50.0 | 20 | 5.2 | 27.0 | 5.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 26 | 5.2 | 135 | 2 | 6 | |
| 5 Yrs | 25 | 14 | 141 | 644 | 5 | 48 | 44.7 | 21 | 4.6 | 25.8 | 5.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 141 | 4.6 | 644 | 5 | 13 | |||||
| 17 Game Avg | 17 | 10 | 96 | 438 | 3 | 33 | 44.7 | 21 | 4.6 | 25.8 | 5.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 96 | 4.6 | 438 | 3 | 9 | |||||
| BAL (4 Yrs) | 20 | 9 | 115 | 509 | 3 | 38 | 43.5 | 21 | 4.4 | 25.5 | 5.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 115 | 4.4 | 509 | 3 | 7 | |||||
| MIA (1 Yr) | 5 | 5 | 26 | 135 | 2 | 10 | 50.0 | 20 | 5.2 | 27.0 | 5.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 26 | 5.2 | 135 | 2 | 6 | |||||
Huntley’s main weaknesses are his arm strength and accuracy, but if he is not asked to push the ball downfield or outside the numbers too much, he can compensate with his scrambling ability. His skill set would be a nice fit for a simpler version of Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, and his threat as a runner would keep the team competitive for at least a few games, which makes him a great option for the Commanders as a QB3.
Huntley was a free agent this spring so fans might question why Peters didn’t sign him then, but I think the answer is Tyler was looking for his best chance to win a starting or backup role. If those options are no longer on the table, Washington may be appealing as a signing that can provide an opportunity to succeed if called into service during the 2025 season.
Jeff Driskel (FA)
I have seen Driskel’s name mentioned by fans as a possible addition to the quarterback room. Surprisingly, I have also seen it mentioned by a few writers that cover the team, including Ben Standig and Mark Bullock. I think it is important to mention that Driskel requested his own release in April to pursue other opportunities for a backup role.
He never found that opportunity and is currently running a venture business group with his brother, Jason, that he started in 2023. I do not think a return to a third quarterback role on either the active roster or the practice squad is in the cards for him, and even if it was, I do not believe it would be with the Commanders.
Center
Michael Deiter did not survive final roster cuts and Washington moved on from Nick Harris, their other center, on Monday. The plan would seem to be for Allegretti to move to center in the event of in game injury, and sign Deiter to the practice squad to call up during the season as needed. The Commanders could definitely use an upgrade at backup center.
Seth McLaughlin (Waivers)
I highlighted Seth McLaughlin in Week 2 of preseason as a player to watch. He profiled as a three-year starter at center with 34 career starts, including 10 in 2024 inside Ohio State’s multiple run scheme offense centered around zone and pin-pull with gap principles mixed in. Seth won the Rimington Trophy in his senior season and has a wide-bodied frame and stout build with good play strength, square power, and solid athletic ability.
McLaughlin projected to be a third-round pick but went undrafted after tearing his Achilles tendon in November. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals after the draft and has made a remarkable recovery. The Bengals activated him off the NFI list on July 30th, but he only received 5 reps in Week 2, but in the final game of the preseason he took all the second-half snaps at center and received PFF grades of 71.3 in the run game and 68.2 in pass blocking. While not ready to step in Week 1, he would be a high upside stash on the 53-man roster with Allegretti and Deiter as the backup plan until he is ready.
Linebacker
The Commanders kept 6 linebackers including Nick Bellore as a special teams ace, but may move Ale Kaho to the practice squad if they can find an upgrade
Chad Muma (Waivers)
Shogun of Harlem did a nice job in Feed post a couple of weeks ago detailing several possible trade/cut candidates that Washington might be interested in acquiring around the roster deadline. Several of his potential candidates did not become available, but one that did was Chad Muma. A third-rounder from 2022, the No. 70 overall pick has one season left on his rookie contract and will be subject to l waiver process.
He might not reach Washington at the bottom of the list, but if so, he would be a nice depth add for the Commanders. In his three seasons he recorded 692 career defensive snaps logging 94 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three passed defended. For his career, Muma has eight pressures and has been a sound tackler. In coverage, quarterbacks completed 88% of their passes against him, with Muma allowed 10.3 yards per catch with just two pass breakups.
| Def Interceptions | Fumbles | Tackles | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Age | Team | Lg | Pos | G | GS | Int | Yds | IntTD | Lng | PD | FF | Fmb | FR | Yds | FRTD | Sk | Comb | Solo | Ast | TFL | QBHits | Sfty | AV | Awards |
| 2022 | 23 | JAX | NFL | LB | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.5 | 47 | 28 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 24 | JAX | NFL | LB | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 25 | JAX | NFL | LB | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 32 | 12 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 3 Yrs | 50 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.5 | 94 | 48 | 46 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | |||||
| 17 Game Avg | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |||||
Where Chad made his greatest impact was on special teams. He has been a core contributor throughout his career, which includes playing 324 snaps last season.
Cornerback
Rumor has it that the Adam Peters is shopping Noah Igbinoghene on the trade market, which would potentially leave Washington looking for another cornerback for the bottom of the depth chart. Even though he made the final roster, Iggy could still be moved ala John Ridgeway last year.
Jalyn Armour-Davis (Waivers)
Much like the Commanders, the Ravens have deep cornerback room. This allowed them to move on from their former fourth-round selection in the 2021 draft, Jayln Armour-Davis. Commanders fans may recognize him from Washington’s final preseason game, where he was on the receiving end of one of Sam Hartman’s two interceptions.
At 6’0” and 196-pounds, Jalyn has good physical traits to go along with plus speed which contribute to his 7.16 RAS score. Unfortunately, he has a lengthy and numerous injury history appearing in just 19 total games with three starts. He’s played 172 defensive snaps and 302 special teams snaps. While fans may be wary of his injury history, Joe Whitt Jr. may be interested in claiming him due to his versatility, which John Harbaugh described in a preseason presser:
He can play really every position. I’m pretty confident he can play safety,” Harbaugh said. “He plays all three corner spots and knows what he’s doing, and he’s had a really good camp.”
Armour-Davis has managed to avoid the injury bug to put together a nice preseason and could be worth a look on the waiver wire. If he slides past other teams, the Commanders could find a relatively young, versatile depth piece.
EDGE
Dan Quinn and Peters will say they are happy with this group, but they could certainly use an infusion of youth and speed on the edge.
Bradyn Swinson (Waivers)
Swinson profiled as a do-it-all edge player with explosive get-off and refined hand usage in the 2025 draft. Projected to go in the 3rd to 4th roun, draft analysts considered it great value when the Patriots selected him in the 5th round. Mike Vrabel must have disagreed, because the Patriots cut Swinson at the roster deadline. An undersized edge player at 255-pounds, Bradyn has a long lean frame, solid arm length, and high motor but clearly needs time to develop. He makes sense as an heir apparent for Jacob Martin and an infusion of depth at the Edge position the Commanders desperately need. If a waiver claim was successful he could replace Javontae Jean-Baptiste.
Wide Receiver
Dan Quinn and Peters will once again say they are happy with this group, and this time I believe them. Signing Terry McLaurin to an extension aligns the depth chart and Noah Brown’s healthy start to the season fills out the depth. McCaffery is a versatile back end of the roster player that can play all three positions and contribute on special teams. I believe Washington will have their choice of the wide receivers they released to add to their practice squad. Going with only five wide receivers was smart, as it allowed for additional players for special teams and depth in the linebacker and safety rooms. I don’t see any adds in the next twenty-four hours.
Kicker
Matt Gay has four million guaranteed on his contract so I wouldn’t expect Peters to add kickers through waivers no matter how much fans call for it. There should be some options available to sign to the practice squad for extra insurance in case Gay struggles early.
John Parker Romo (Waivers)
The New Orleans Saints signed Romo as undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech. He spent following season in the XFL with the San Antonio Brahmas in 2023 recording 17 of 19 field-goal attempts and briefly held the XFL record for longest field goal with a 57-yarder. He signed with the Detroit Lions after successful tryout in May, but ultimately lost his roster spot to Michael Bagley. He bounced around numerous practice squads and teams including the Bears, Vikings, and most recently, the Patriots where he just lost a kicking competition with Andres Borregales. He was activated for his NFL Debut during his time with the Vikings, and converted all four of his field goals, including a 55-yarder.
Romo has a strong leg which is clearly an issue with the current incumbent kicker for the Commanders. Outside of the XFL, he’s never been around long enough to demonstrate any consistency, but he would seem to be a nice fit on the practice squad once he clears waivers if Peters decides to go that route.
There are over a 1000 players in consideration for needy teams after final cuts. Which do you think need to be mentioned here? Should Peters add a wide receiver or kicker? Submit your thoughts and related players in the comment section.
