The first two days of Washington Commanders training camp are in the books, and fans are reveling in the start of football again. The updates and nuggets have been coming fast and furious with pressers, social media posts, and articles pouring in from on-site analysts and fans. With a one-day break in the action, Hogs Haven stops to take a closer look at some of the storylines from the first two days of camp.
Will Dyami Brown make the most of his second chance with the Commanders?
For the most part, receiver Dyami Brown didn’t live up to expectations when Washington drafted
in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Things changed with the arrival of Jayden Daniels in 2024 and a new approach to his offseason. While Brown’s regular season numbers were modest, in the wild-card-playoffs win over the Buccaneers, he had five catches on five targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. In the divisional-round upset over the Lions, Brown had eight targets with six catches and 98 yards. Another 42 yards came against the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game gave Brown 229 receiving yards for the three-game postseason run — more than any of his first three full seasons.
The Commanders and Brown parted ways in 2025, as general manager Adam Peters opted not to match a one-year, $10 million deal from the Jaguard that was almost fully guaranteed. Things didn’t go according to plan in Jacksonville, but Washington decided to bring him back on a one-year, $1.75 million deal that does not lock him into a roster spot. Brown seems to realize the importance of this second chance, arriving early and staying late the first day of camp.
Brown has flashed previously in training camps, then failing to have his performance carry over into the regular season, but he seems to be determined to change that this go-around. It is interesting to note that he made some plays in red-zone drills, including a toe-tap touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone, which is not something he has been known for in the past. Treylon Burks missed Friday’s session with foot soreness, while Luke McCaffery and Antonio Williams both made plays. The receiver competition is wide open, and Brown will have to fight to make his mark.
Is Bill Croskey-Merritt ready to be a complete three-down back this year?
There has been a lot of discussion surrounding Bill Croskey-Merritt’s physical conditioning over the offseason, but lost in the mix is how he has looked in receiving drills. Crokey-Merritt has been challenged by head coahc Dan Quinn to become a more complete back this offseason and has been working on his receiving skills. In Thursday’s session, Bill caught a ball out of the backfield and beat first-round rookie Sonny Styles in a footrace to the corner of the end zone.
Grant Paulsen from 106.7 The Fan also noted that Croskey-Merritt was split out wide at times during Thursday’s session and how the receiving game will need to be a key component of Croskey-Merritt’s game this season. Unfortunately, the second-year back followed up Thursday’s good start with a fumble in Friday’s session, highlighting the concerns around his ball security. He will have to fix this issue in camp if he wants to have a larger role in the offense, as he had four fumbles last season. According to Pro Football Reference, Rachaad White typically has three fumbles per year but was perfect in ball security last season.
Does the early defensive performance mean the Washington Commanders should add a free agent wide receiver?
Several on-site reports noted how strong the defense played the first two days with “sticky” coverage and a noticeably faster front seven. Odafe Oweh, in particular, caught the eye of media in attendance. The defense had four total turnovers on Friday, including a “throw-away” pick for Ahkello Witherspoon and a pick-6 by Rasul Douglas to end the practice session. Mike Sainristil also stripped Croskey-Merritt for his fumble and had a nice pass deflection on Thursday.
This is all occurred without projected top corner Trey Amos on the field, so the secondary has looked good early. The defense is most always ahead of the offense at the start of camp, and some early troubles are to be expected with Jayden Daniels learning a new system against a defense designed to generate confusion. Still, the lack of separation and dropped balls by the pass catchers on Friday had many asking if now is the time to add a wide receiver in free agency. The short list from Sharp Football Analysis is listed below.
- Tyreek Hill
- Stefon Diggs
- Brandon Aiyuk
- Deebo Samuel
- Keenan Allen
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Brandin Cooks
- Curtis Samuel
- Sterling Shepard
- Noah Brown
- Tyler Lockett
Should Washington add a veteran free agent center?
Nick Allegretti was injured early on the first of camp, with Dan Quinn listing the center with a strained calf on Friday. While the injury is not expected to be a long-term issue, it sounds like he will be out at least through the weekend. Julian Good-Jones stepped in for first-team reps and looked rough in Thursday’s session. While Matt Gulbin certainly needs all the reps he can get at the center position, there is not much behind him. In fact, the current options might not be good enough for the back end of the offense to run properly.
If it looks like Allegretti is facing even a slightly protracted absence, the Commanders may decide they need to kick the tires on a veteran addition sooner than later. Another short list from Sharp Football Analysis, this time listing free agent centers.
- Graham Glasgow
- Andre James
- James Daniels
- Daniel Brunskill
- Sam Mustipher
UDFA Watch
Jaden Bradley continued to draw attention during the first two days of camp. At 6’3” and 203 pounds, he should thrive in red-zone drills and did with two scores, including one over the top of a defender, and also caught a slant versus Rasul Douglas. Terry McLaurin continues to mentor the young wide receiver, with both working together after practice on the first day. McLaurin also gave a glowing review of the undrafted free agent in his Friday presser:
There was no kicker session the first day, but both players competing for the job went 6-for-6 on Friday. Jake Moody went first with a perfect performance, and UDFA Drew Stevens answered with one of his own. On a particularly breezy day in Ashburn, VA., with a new holder, fans have to be excited about the level of competition currently occurring at the kicker position. Stevens appears to have the stronger leg.
Malik Spencer was the first defensive UDFA to make his presence felt, recording the intital interception of camp.
