The Washington Commanders will open training camp on July 27 at team headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia, before opening the season Sept. 11 at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Commanders added more depth at receiver this offseason with rookie Jahan Dotson and at running back with Brian Robinson Jr. Dotson looked sharp this spring and starting back Antonio Gibson dropped his body fat from 18 percent to around 12 percent and said he feels more explosive. Washington solidified quarterback by trading for Carson Wentz, though he has a lot to prove. Their line faces questions at guard after losing perennial Pro Bowler Brandon Scherff in free agency.
Defensively, the starters also appear set, but there are questions about their back seven depth. But perhaps the biggest question on defense will be: How do ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat play? It's uncertain if Young will be ready for the season after tearing the ACL/MCL in his right knee. But if Sweat ascends, the line will provide big trouble for offenses.
Here is a projection of the Commanders' roster:
QUARTERBACK (3): Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell
There's no debate about who has what role: Wentz will start, Heinicke will be the primary backup and Howell will be the developmental guy. But keep an eye on undrafted free agent Cole Kelley for that third spot. He has a strong arm and, more importantly, is someone Washington liked early in the process last fall.
RUNNING BACK (3): Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic, Brian Robinson Jr.
Washington has typically kept three backs under coach Ron Rivera, which means Jaret Patterson would be in trouble. But the Commanders can keep him on the practice squad. Gibson will be the starter, and McKissic is an excellent third-down back. Robinson, a rookie third-round pick, will help in short yardage and can back up Gibson.
TIGHT END (3): Logan Thomas, John Bates, Cole Turner
There's an excellent chance Washington will keep four. Thomas, recovering from a torn ACL/MCL in his right knee, might open on injured reserve. Converted receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden and undrafted rookie Curtis Hodges will be ones to watch. Sammis Reyes, in his second year of organized football, will have to show improvement as a pass-catcher. Alex Armah could definitely sneak on as a tight end/fullback, allowing for more traditional two-back sets.
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown, Cam Sims, Dax Milne, Alex Erickson
Erickson will make it because he can return punts. Otherwise, Kelvin Harmon could earn his way as the seventh receiver. Washington has excellent speed at this position -- it just needs Samuel to stay healthy and for Brown to become more of a downfield playmaker.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Charles Leno Jr., Andrew Norwell, Chase Roullier, Trai Turner, Sam Cosmi, Wes Schweitzer, Saahdiq Charles, Cornelius Lucas, Tyler Larsen, Chris Paul
There's a good chance Washington will keep 10 linemen, but regardless it will have a healthy number on the practice squad as well. There's good depth with experienced vets such as Schweitzer, Lucas and Larsen. But they've replaced their starting guards from last year -- Scherff and Ereck Flowers -- with Norwell and Turner. Roullier fractured his left fibula last season, so the interior will face plenty of questions early.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Chase Young, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat, Phidarian Mathis, James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, Efe Obada, Daniel Wise
A big key will be when they think Young can return from his torn right ACL; it's possible he'll have to open on injured reserve. They're not as deep inside, but their top three should be solid with Allen, Payne and rookie second-round pick Mathis. Second-year ends Shaka Toney and Will Bradley-King need to show improvement to earn a spot, but if Young opens on IR one of them likely will be on the roster.
LINEBACKER (4): Cole Holcomb, Jamin Davis, Khaleke Hudson, David Mayo
Washington kept four linebackers on its opening day roster last year. They have some unproven young players they like and one of them could earn a spot, including undrafted free agent Tre Walker, but they still might add another experienced veteran backup to keep five. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Commanders used three-linebacker sets on just 65 snaps last season. They like using five-man fronts with one linebacker (Holcomb). Holcomb improved steadily in 2021; Davis must do the same this season.
SAFETY (6): Bobby McCain, Kamren Curl, Darrick Forrest, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves, Troy Apke
Curl continues to improve and was perhaps the most impressive defensive player this spring. He can play in the box or deep half. But it's a thin group beyond the first two, mainly because Forrest (second year) and Butler (rookie) are unproven. Reaves is a smart, tough player but undersized while Apke remains a key special teams player.
CORNERBACK (5): William Jackson III, Kendall Fuller, Benjamin St-Juste, Danny Johnson, Christian Holmes
Another thin group beyond the starters, though St-Juste had an excellent spring. Washington moved him inside despite being tall for a slot corner (6-foot-3). The coaches like his short-area quickness and length to help against the run inside. Jackson struggled at times while playing more zone last year than he was accustomed to in Cincinnati. They like Holmes, a seventh-round rookie, because he's physical, but can he play?
SPECIALISTS (3): Tress Way (punter), Joey Slye (kicker), Camaron Cheeseman (long-snapper)
There's no competition for any of these players. In six games with Washington last season. Slye made all 12 of his field goals He has a big leg, but he still must prove he can be consistent for a full season. Cheeseman was fine as a rookie last season. Way has become one of the NFL's best punters: In the last three years combined he's third in yards per punt and sixth in net yards.