The NFL preseason is over. Training camp is over. For the Washington Commanders, all eyes turn toward Sunday’s 6:00 p.m. ET deadline to trim their roster from 90 players to 53. Then, everything is all about Week 1, when the Commanders head up I-95 to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.
Washington heads into the regular season after an embarrassing 41-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Friday’s preseason finale. The Commanders sat 41 players ahead of Friday’s game, meaning there were only a few roster spots still up for grabs. It was one final opportunity for roster hopefuls to make an impression. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well for anyone.
Will Friday’s results impact GM Adam Peters’ roster decisions ahead of Sunday’s deadline? Here’s our
final 53-man roster projection for Washington. Remember, this is only the initial 53-man roster, because it will change often, perhaps as soon as Monday when teams can claim players cut by other teams off waivers.
Quarterback (3)
- Jayden Daniels
- Marcus Mariota
- Athan Kaliakmanis
We’ve been back and forth, going between three and two quarterbacks. We are back to three for our final projection. Kaliakmanis earned it. Marcus Mariota’s health, combined with Jayden Daniels only playing four games last season, leads Washington to keep three quarterbacks. Kaliakmanis also showed progress throughout each preseason game.
Running back (4)
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Rachaad White
- Kaytron Allen
- Robert Henry Jr.
Robert Henry Jr. struggled last week, and Kaytron Allen struggled this week. But with Jeremy McNichols still dealing with an injury, the Commanders will go into the season with two rookies and a second-year player in the backfield. McNichols will remain an option if he’s healthy. Henry’s too explosive to leave exposed to waivers.
Wide receiver (7)
- Terry McLaurin
- Stefon Diggs
- Dyami Brown
- Treylon Burks
- Luke McCaffrey
- Jaylin Lane
- Antonio Williams
Will Washington keep six or seven receivers? We think it will be seven, at least initially. So, in our final projection, we have McCaffrey making it over Van Jefferson. Overall, this is as deep as the Commanders have been at wide receiver in years. I could see six here, too, with either Brown or McCaffrey being the odd man out. It’s tough because each of these players has earned it.
Tight end (4)
- Chig Okonkwo
- John Bates
- Ben Sinnott
- Colson Yankoff
This one is set in stone and has been for a while. This is a good group.
Offensive line (8)
- Josh Conerly Jr.
- Sam Cosmi
- Nick Allegretti
- Chris Paul
- Brandon Coleman
- Matt Gulbin
- Andrew Wylie
- Trent Scott
We are going eight, but it should be nine. There are too many questions here for the Commanders only to keep eight offensive linemen. We think Peters will bring in one, maybe two, veterans to improve depth and perhaps push to start at left guard and/or center. The magic number is nine here, and we think that’s where they’ll be.
Defensive line (4)
- Daron Payne
- Tim Settle
- Javon Kinlaw
- Shy Tuttle
Johnny Newton is lost for a while, so Tuttle grabs the final spot. We could also see five here, too. Remember, Charles Omenihu can help at this spot. Tuttle has had a good camp and gives the Commanders a true nose behind Tim Settle. If healthy, this group should be a strength.
Edge (5)
- Odafe Oweh
- K’Lavon Chaisson
- Dorance Armstrong
- Charles Omenihu
- Joshua Josephs
The Commanders hope Chaisson and Oweh are ready for Week 1. Armstrong, who is returning from knee surgery, will miss Week 1 due to a one-game suspension. We’ll include him since he’ll be there for Week 2. The obvious omission is Javontae Jean-Baptiste. He’s had a strong camp, and his length and athleticism are showing up more than ever. But he misses out due to rookie Joshua Josephs. Josephs has been one of the best surprises in training camp.
Linebacker (5)
- Frankie Luvu
- Sonny Styles
- Leo Chenal
- Jordan Magee
- Kain Medrano
We’ve considered keeping only four and as many as six. With the top four spots locked up, we are sticking with five and going with Kain Medrano over Ale Kaho. Kaho is a more refined player, but Medrano’s length and athleticism on special teams make him the guy. He still has a lot of work to do at linebacker, though.
Cornerback (5)
- Mike Sainristil
- Trey Amos
- Amik Robertson
- Rasul Douglas
- Fabian Moreau
When the Commanders kept all five players inactive on Friday, they were telling you which five they were keeping on the 53. Don’t be surprised if Washington adds a young player cut by another team. Almost every Washington defensive back who played against the Ravens in the preseason finale struggled. Moreau is the fifth guy and wouldn’t embarrass the Commanders if he needed to play significant minutes. Obviously, the big concern here is Amos. He's basically missed all of camp. Washington needs him healthy.
Safety (5)
- Quan Martin
- Nick Cross
- Percy Butler
- Jeremy Reaves
- Tyler Owens
When the Commanders cut Will Harris this week, they were done at safety. This is a solid group. Butler and Owens are the special teams stars, while Reaves has ascended into more of a defensive role. Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones likes three-safety sets, which, in that case, will be Cross, Martin, and Reaves.
Special teams (3)
- K Drew Stevens
- P Tress Way
- LS Tyler Ott
No changes here. Stevens won the kicking job two weeks ago. Washington is set.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' final 53-man roster projection: Who's in, out after the preseason?
