In the offseason, it’s fun to talk about the game on paper – because without the actual games, that’s all we really have.
As you all know, I love doing roster analysis. In this article I chose to take a look at how our current roster compared to the one that went 12-5 and made the NFC Championship game. That is the same roster that caused general manager Adam Peters to go “all-in” on the 2025 season in an attempt to make it to the Super Bowl in Jayden Daniels’ second season in the NFL — something
that massively backfired!
I listed the top players in their respective position groups below and compared the current 2026 group to what the Commanders had in 2024.
Offense
QB
Jayden Daniels
Marcus Mariota
Jayden Daniels as a 3rd-year veteran > Jayden Daniels as a rookie
Conclusion: The room will remain the same with both Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. The big difference is this will be year three for Jayden, and if he can stay healthy, the sky is the limit!
RB
2026:
Bill Croskey-Merritt
Rachaad White
2024:
Brian Robinson
Austin Ekeler
2026 = 2024
Conclusion: I like Bill’s vision and explosion over Robinson’s, but Ekeler was an excellent overall threat as an all-purpose back and as much as I like White’s abilities in that role, Austin was better.
WR
2026:
Terry McLaurin
Antonio Williams
Luke McCaffrey
Treylon Burks/Dyami Brown
2024:
Terry McLaurin
Noah Brown
Dyami Brown
Olamide Zaccheaus
2026 = 2024
Conclusion: This is a very close one. Both groups are bottom 10 in the NFL. 2026 has athletic, yet unproven youth, while 2024 had some proven veterans who were rather pedestrian. Terry being two years older doesn’t help the 2026 room.
TE
2026:
Chig Okonkwo
John Bates
Ben Sinnott
2024:
Zach Ertz
John Bates
Ben Sinnott
2026 > 2024
Conclusion: In his prime, Zach Ertz was one of the best tight ends in the league. Unfortunately, Washington got him past his prime, and although his hands were still reliable, his yards-after-catch was not. Chig is a demon with the ball in his hands after the catch and that should translate well for this new offense under David Blough.
OL
2026:
Laremy Tunsil
Brandon Coleman/Chris Paul
Nick Allegretti/Matt Gulbin
Sam Cosmi
Josh Conerly Jr.
2024:
Brandon Coleman
Nick Allegretti
Tyler Biadasz
Sam Cosmi
Andrew Wylie
2026 > 2024
Conclusion: The 2026 group takes this one in a landslide, despite having some big question marks at center. Tunsil is a top five left tackle in the NFL and Cosmi makes a strong case of being a top 5-7 right guard. Conerly in year two should be a fun one to watch.
DEFENSE
DL
2026:
Daron Payne
Javon Kinlaw
Charles Omenihu
Tim Settle
Jer’Zhan Newton
2024:
Daron Payne
Jon Allen
Phidarian Mathis
Jer’Zhan Newton
2026 > 2024
Conclusion: The 2026 group takes this one running away. Not only is the starting group better, but the 2026 depth would probably be situational starters in 2024.
EDGE
2026:
Odafe Oweh
K’Lavon Chaisson
Dorance Armstrong
Joshua Josephs
2024:
Dorance Armstrong
Clelin Ferrell
Dante Fowler
Javontae Jean-Baptiste
2026 > 2024
Conclusion: Yet again, the 2026 group takes this one in impressive fashion – and it’s not really even close. Ferrell and Fowler were both reclamation projects while Jean-Baptiste was trying to break through. 2026 has proven players in their prime and the youth behind them in a player like Josephs is impressive.
LB
2026:
Sonny Styles
Leo Chenal
Frankie Luvu
Jordan Magee
2024:
Bobby Wagner
Frankie Luvu
Jamin Davis
Jordan Magee
2026 > 2024
Conclusion: Although 2024 boasts a future Hall of Famer, the 2026 group absolutely CRUSHES them; especially in terms of size, athleticism and youth! I know some may stand on a table for both Wagner and Luvu who each got voted to the All-Pro team, but anyone who watched this group on the field knew they lacked sideline-to-sideline ability and coverage chops. 2026 may boast the best group of linebackers this team has ever had.
CB
2026:
Trey Amos
Mike Sainristil
Amik Robertson
Ahkello Witherspoon
2024:
Emmanuel Forbes
Benjamin St-Juste
Mike Sainristil
Noah Igbinoghene
2026 > 2024
Conclusion: On paper, the 2024 group may have looked promising, but on the field, Forbes and St-Juste were horrible. Amos is the headliner of the 2026 group and Sainristil and Robertson should fit nicely in Jones’ new defense.
S
2026:
Nick Cross
Quan Martin
Will Harris
2024:
Jeremy Chinn
Quan Martin
Darrick Forrest
2026 > 2024
Conclusion: This is a close one, as Chinn offered a unique, physical presence in the box, however Nick Cross was one of the highest-rated safeties over the past two years against the run and veteran Will Harris offers the versatility that will help improve the back-end.
The 2024 season had a lot of magic and a bit of luck sprinkled in – not to mention a weaker schedule. Regardless, to come out of the season with a 12-5 record and an appearance in the NFC Championship game with a rookie under center is damn impressive! There is no way that feat is reached without having talented players on the roster.
This 2026 roster underwent a MAJOR offseason makeover which included bringing in two new coordinators who should help take the Commanders to new heights in 2026 and beyond. Obviously, we will have to wait to see if the results bear fruit, but if the 2026 team plays as well on the field as they look on paper, we all could be in for a real treat. Now I know many will talk about the strength of schedule playing a role in a worse record despite having a better overall team – and that is definitely a fair concern. But, regardless of the results on this upcoming season, I think we can all agree that the foundation has finally been built for the future.
Do you agree with Tyler’s Take? Let us know in the comments below.
