The Washington Commanders completed Week 3 of training camp with Friday’s preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins. After a joint practice with the Dolphins on Wednesday, the Commanders defeated the Dolphins 20-7 in their first preseason game.
Since so many of Washington’s starters participated in the joint practice, they had the night off in Friday’s preseason game. After allowing Miami’s starters to march down the field on a 14-play, 93-yard drive to go ahead 7-0, the Commanders shut the Dolphins out on their final 11 possessions, including forcing four turnovers, one of which was on downs.
Two things stood out in Friday’s game: quarterback Marcus Mariota’s injury and the performance of Washington’s rookie running backs, who combined to rush for 160 yards and two touchdowns. On Sunday, we learned that Mariota suffered a torn ACL, which will keep him out for the remainder of the preseason, but he should be good for Week 1.
How does Friday’s preseason game impact the Commanders’ latest 53-man roster projection? Let’s dive in:
Quarterback (2)- Jayden Daniels
- Marcus Mariota
In our first two projections, we had rookie Athan Kaliakmanis on the 53. Last week, we excluded him, mostly because Washington needs the extra OL help with Laremy Tunsil’s injury and the uncertainty at center. However, Mariota’s injury changes things. Even if he’s healthy ahead of Week 1, do you want to risk going into the season with him and Jayden Daniels as the only two quarterbacks? Remember, Daniels missed 10 games last season. Here’s the deal: as impressive as Kaliakmanis was on Friday, if he’s the QB3 and has to play, the season is over. We believe Washington tries to sneak him onto the practice squad and starts the year with two quarterbacks on the 53.
Running back (4)- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Rachaad White
- Kaytron Allen
- Robert Henry Jr.
Hello, Robert Henry Jr. We’ve heard a lot about Henry. He showed off on Friday night and absolutely should be on this roster. While Allen rushed for more yards, Henry was more impressive. He has home-run ability. He can also return kicks. He will force his way onto this roster. Jeremy McNichols is hard to leave off because they love him. But he’s over 30 and currently injured. Washington could bring him back if there’s an injury. At this point, we believe Henry will be RB3, with Allen used as a short-yardage back.
Wide receiver (7)- Terry McLaurin
- Stefon Diggs
- Dyami Brown
- Treylon Burks
- Luke McCaffrey
- Jaylin Lane
- Antonio Williams
We went with six in our first two projections, but the Diggs’ signing changed everything. Could GM Adam Peters look to trade one of the younger receivers and keep Van Jefferson? Washington loves the veteran wideout. McCaffrey has had a good camp and has improved in each of his first two seasons. But he is the player most likely to be moved. The Commanders could use someone else to return kicks. Lane is the punt returner. For now, we stick with seven.
Tight end (4)- Chig Okonkwo
- John Bates
- Ben Sinnott
- Colson Yankoff
No changes here. This is perhaps the deepest position on the team. Each of these four players will have a role in 2026. Lawrence Cager had an excellent offseason and training camp, but there’s just no room.
Offensive line (9)- Josh Conerly Jr.
- Sam Cosmi
- Nick Allegretti
- Chris Paul
- Brandon Coleman
- Matt Gulbin
- Andrew Wylie
- Trent Scott
- Daniel Brunskill
This is the second week we’ve left Laremy Tunsil off, which is hard to do. But he will most likely be out for most, if not all, of the season. Several spots are locked in. While Chris Paul is not getting cut, he still may not be the starting left guard, even with Brandon Coleman playing left tackle. Washington will 100% look to add more help here, either via the waiver wire or a late trade. Brunskill gets the final spot because the Commanders need someone behind Allegretti who has snapped in an NFL regular-season game. That position remains scary. Gulbin had a nice preseason opener at center, but it sounds like Washington wants to work him at guard more.
Defensive line (4)- Daron Payne
- Tim Settle
- Javon Kinlaw
- Johnny Newton
Payne, Settle and Kinlaw are all locked in. Newton should be, as a 2024 second-round pick, but he was pushed around in the preseason opener. Ricky Barber Jr. was better. So was veteran Shy Tuttle. Could the Commanders shop Newton? I could see it, but they will not outright cut him. The potential is still there. This is a position to watch.
Edge (5)- Odafe Oweh
- K’Lavon Chaisson
- Dorance Armstrong
- Charles Omenihu
- Joshua Josephs
No changes here. Oweh and Chaisson have been off to an impressive start in training camp. So is the rookie Josephs. Armstrong continues to work his way back to full participation. Omenihu may also be considered a defensive tackle in this scheme. Javontae Jean-Baptiste is having an outstanding camp. I could see the Commanders trying to trade him for help elsewhere or a late-round pick.
Linebacker (5)- Frankie Luvu
- Sonny Styles
- Leo Chenal
- Jordan Magee
- Kain Medrano
We wanted to keep six, but the numbers will not allow it. The top four are set. The final battle is between Kain Medrano and Ale Kaho. Kaho was outstanding against the Dolphins. He deserves a spot, but we think Medrano gets it because he’s a former draft pick and his athleticism upside is higher.
Cornerback (5)- Mike Sainristil
- Trey Amos
- Amik Robertson
- Rasul Douglas
- Antonio Hamilton St.
The Commanders are still feeling the repercussions of Ahkello Witherspoon’s surprising retirement. He was likely in as the final corner. But his leaving opened the door for others, such as Fabian Moreau and Antonio Hamilton Sr. Hamilton was all over the place in the preseason game. Sure, he’s 33, but you just notice him. He plays with so much effort that it’s contagious. Trey Amos’ injury is a big concern. He’s barely practiced and missed half of his rookie season. I fully expect Washington to be scouring the waiver wire for a cornerback addition.
Safety (5)- Quan Martin
- Nick Cross
- Percy Butler
- Jeremy Reaves
- Tyler Owens
A big change here. We firmly felt Quan Martin was on the bubble last week. He had an excellent performance in the preseason opener, earning the praise of Dan Quinn. He’s locked in a battle with Reaves for the starting free safety job. Will Harris is in that competition, too. We left Percy Butler off previous projections, but not because we didn’t think he deserved to be cut. There was just no way the Commanders were keeping six safeties. Butler is excellent on special teams. So is Owens. Reaves is, too, but he’ll be more focused on defense. So, in our latest projection, Martin and Butler make it over Harris.
Special teams (3)- K Drew Stevens
- P Tress Way
- LS Tyler Ott
For the second straight week, we are projecting rookie Drew Stevens to win the kicking job. We are very confident in this prediction. While this competition will likely continue through the final preseason game, Stevens pulled away significantly over the last week.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders 53-man roster projection: Who's in, out after Week 3 of camp?
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