The preseason is here. Last week, we had the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame game, where the Carolina Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals. Now, it's time for the rest of the NFL to take the field for the first time after a long offseason. For the Washington Commanders, that means on Friday, when they host the Miami Dolphins in the preseason opener.
In the NFL, anytime there is a game, there is a depth chart. During the regular season, depth charts aren't a big deal. But for preseason Week 1, they are a big deal — to some. Washington head coach Dan Quinn said what most NFL teams feel about depth charts on Monday.
"I would say the unofficial depth chart is like as valuable as preseason rankings," Quinn said.
He's right, but the first depth chart
is still interesting. And here are the five most interesting things we learned from the Commanders' first unofficial depth chart of 2026.
Luke McCaffrey is WR3
Someone brought up McCaffrey being WR3 to Quinn, which prompted the above quote. However, Quinn did elaborate on McCaffrey.
"What I can comment on is the intentional work by Luke in a number of areas," Quinn said. "He really kinda came on as a knack as a kick returner last year. So that kinda speaks to his competitive nature. He's improved releases off the line of scrimmage throughout techniques. And so, just seeing him with more time on task and like year three at the position, it's easy to see his ascension going up."
Is McCaffrey WR3? It's hard to know. McCaffrey had a good second week of training camp. He's also playing with more chippiness, which comes with confidence. Remember, he had only played wide receiver for two years before entering the 2024 NFL Draft. McCaffrey's biggest competition for the No. 3 spot is Treylon Burks and rookie Antonio Williams.
Sam Hartman is QB3
When the Commanders drafted Athan Kaliakmanis in the 2026 NFL Draft, many believed that would eventually end Hartman's time with the Commanders. Not so fast. Hartman and Kaliakmanis have each had some solid moments in training camp. For the most part, Kaliakmanis hasn't done enough to overtake Hartman. But he is a draft pick. The preseason will determine who the third quarterback is. It's quite possible that the Commanders keep only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, and slip one or two to the practice squad. We'd say Hartman and Kaliakmanis are running neck and neck for now.
Allegretti and Good-Jones battling at center?
This is where you can understand Quinn's point. This is not personal against Julian Good-Jones, but he's played two whole NFL snaps in his career. There is no way that Washington is strongly considering him as the starter this season, in such an important year for quarterback Jayden Daniels. That's not to say Good-Jones isn't going to be the primary backup, as he very well could be. But if healthy, Allegretti is the unquestioned starter. While the Commanders would prefer to see him return and get more time in with Daniels and his linemates, these snaps are a good thing for Good-Jones and rookie Matt Gulbin.
Jeremy Reaves starting at safety?
This is real. For now, Reaves and Quan Martin are listed as the co-No. 1 at free safety. Reaves has enjoyed a phenomenal offseason and training camp. Reaves just continues to prove to be a great story. He went from not making the initial 53-man roster in multiple seasons to being a core special-teamer to now becoming a potential starting safety. So, when you see Reaves atop the depth chart at safety, that is 100% real. Reaves has started games at safety before due to injuries. Now, he's on pace to begin the year as Washington's starting safety alongside Nick Cross.
Chenal and Styles co-No. 1 at linebacker
If you were worried about how Frankie Luvu would adjust to this defense, you can put your worries aside. From all indications, Luvu is having an excellent season. He's on pace to wear the green dot this season, while rookie Sonny Styles and free-agent addition Leo Chenal share the other spot. This is more an indictment on Luvu than it is on Styles or Chenal. That's a good thing for Washington. Having Luvu return to the player he was two years ago could go a long way for the Commanders. Regardless, all three will play a lot of snaps this season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 5 takeaways from Commanders' first unofficial depth chart
