7 Commanders with most to gain vs. Lions in preseason Week 2

Will Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions? Head coach Dan Quinn has left his starting quarterback’s status up in the air all week, but it appears that Daniels will play. Again, that’s not confirmed, but most signs pointed to Daniels playing at least one series against the Lions.

While these preseason games may not mean much for the starters, they mean a lot for young players battling to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, or for veterans trying to hang on. These games also give players a chance to audition for other teams. So, while people will say these games mean nothing, that doesn’t apply to everyone.

Which Commanders have the most to play for on Saturday? We identify seven Washington players with the most on the line in the second preseason game against Detroit.

Entering his third NFL season, Hartman has been exclusively on the practice squad in his first two seasons. To change that, he needs a couple of huge game performances. Hartman struggled last preseason, coming off shoulder surgery, and his arm strength was an issue. In last week’s preseason opener, Hartman got off to a rough start but settled down. However, when rookie Athan Kaliakmanis came in, he threw with zip on his passes and just looked more comfortable than Hartman. Hartman isn’t playing only to stick with Washington; you could say he's playing for his football life.

When you look at winners from last week’s preseason game, there were none bigger than Henry, an undrafted rookie from UTSA. He’s explosive, and he can also return kicks. So, with every chance Washington gives him, he must deliver. Henry must make the Commanders afraid to expose him to waivers. Last week was a good start. With Rachaad White out for Saturday, Jerome Ford on IR, and Jeremy McNichols still sidelined, Henry has a massive opportunity to deliver.

McCaffrey doesn’t need a big game to avoid being cut. He’s had a good camp. However, for his future, a strong showing in the preseason could mean the difference between being the Commanders’ No. 3 receiver or being a depth piece/kickoff returner. He’s improved each of the last two seasons, and this is a big year for him. If he plays some, he needs to come away with a catch or two. The WR3 job is within his grasp. It's up to McCaffrey to seize the opportunity.

The rookie sixth-rounder is suddenly one of Washington’s most intriguing players due to the concerns at center. He played well in his NFL debut last week. Julian Good-Jones is ahead of Gulbin right now, but for how long? Good-Jones has been up and down. Gulbin earned praise from Dan Quinn after last week’s game. Quinn said he wanted to see him get more work, even at guard. Gulbin is making the 53, but the more he can prove to Washington that it can trust him, the more of a chance Gulbin has to push for a more significant role before the season’s over.

Jean-Baptiste showed some promise during his 2024 rookie season. However, an injury ruined his 2025 season. He’s back, but he’s now at a spot that’s deep. That wasn’t the case before his injury. Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson and Dorance Armstrong are the top three edge rushers. Rookie Joshua Josephs has had a phenomenal training camp and looked good in last week’s game. Jean-Baptiste has quietly had a strong camp, too. It could all come down to how many edge rushers Washington will keep. Jean-Baptiste must have two big games and make the Commanders think twice about waiving him.

An undrafted free agent in 2025, Barber spent the season on the practice squad until a late-season call-up. He played well in his debut against the Cowboys. In last week’s opener, Barber played alongside former second-round pick Johnny Newton. Barber stood out much more than Newton. Barber was likely blocked from making the 53, but Newton suffered a torn pec, and Barber can earn a spot with a strong finish to the preseason.

If we could only name five standouts from last week’s preseason win over the Dolphins, the 33-year-old Hamilton would’ve been on the list. He was everywhere. His energy is infectious. He’s likely battling fellow veteran Fabian Moreau for the final cornerback spot. Before camp, Hamilton didn’t look like he had a chance, especially after the Commanders signed Rasul Douglas. But when Ahkello Witherspoon retired, it was a massive opportunity for Hamilton. If he keeps stacking performances like last week, Washington will be unable to deny him. Hamilton's key role remains on special teams.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 7 Commanders with most to gain vs. Lions in preseason Week 2