The Washington Commanders open the 2022 NFL regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 11 at FedEx Field.
The Commanders' roster has been upgraded at quarterback, with Carson Wentz, and at receiver with rookie Jahan Dotson and the healthy return of Curtis Samuel. But their 53-man roster won't include defensive end Chase Young for a while as he'll miss the first four games after being placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list (PUP).
Washington's biggest questions will be whether to keep a fourth running back, a seventh receiver (Alex Erickson perhaps) and how many players to keep along the offensive and defensive lines as well as in the secondary. They also are still figuring out their third safety -- will it be Darrick Forrest or rookie Percy Butler? And will rookie running back Brian Robinson emerge as their main back, as happened during preseason games? Also, undrafted rookie tight end Armani Rogers impressed them after playing quarterback in college and could earn a spot on the roster.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell
This one was decided early in camp and nothing happened to change the order of this group: It's Wentz, then Heinicke and then Howell. There's a gap between each of them. The question for Wentz isn't as much whether he's their guy now or even in 2023, but can he become a long-term solution for Washington? That's what he must prove this season.
RUNNING BACK (3): Brian Robinson, Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic
There's a chance they'll keep four backs -- Jaret Patterson was on the roster last season and is someone they like. Jonathan Williams is another possibility for a fourth. But they really like the first three and that's where it gets interesting. Gibson entered as the primary back, but Robinson appears to have supplanted him as the main runner. He's consistent and always gets positive yards. But Gibson and McKissic will have key roles. McKissic is one of the NFL's best third-down backs while Gibson remains a threat in the open field so they will find ways to get him the ball, including as a kick returner.
Update: Robinson's status is uncertain after he was shot multiple times Sunday in Washington, D.C.
TIGHT END (4): Logan Thomas, John Bates, Cole Turner, Armani Rogers
The main question surrounds Thomas' availability. It's uncertain if he'll play in the opener but the expectation is that he'll return for Week 2 at the latest. Bates and Turner did not play in the preseason while nursing injuries. That opened the door for Rogers, an undrafted rookie who played quarterback in college, to win a spot. He's still raw, but fluid and he improved as a blocker.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Charles Leno Jr., Andrew Norwell, Chase Roullier, Wes Schweitzer, Sam Cosmi, Cornelius Lucas, Saahdiq Charles, Chris Paul, Trai Turner
Will Turner be healthy? He hasn't practiced since early in training camp because of a quad injury. He was signed to start at right guard, but it's hard to see that happening given his lack of practice time, unless he returns soon. His status could help a player such as backup center Keith Ismael win a roster spot out of camp. Charles provides depth at guard and as a fourth tackle. The interior has been slowed by injuries during camp, so it'll be interesting how that impacts the starters' chemistry once the season begins.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Cam Sims, Dyami Brown, Dax Milne
Washington could keep seven with Alex Erickson as a punt returner. That could depend on how many offensive linemen they keep. The coaches like how Milne has progressed and he, too, can help in the return game. Samuel has been healthy in camp and looks like he'll help, giving Washington a solid first three with McLaurin and the rookie Dotson. They need Brown, the speedy third-round pick in 2021, to progress and contribute, but Sims always seems to flash more.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Montez Sweat, Jon Allen, Daron Payne, James Smith-Williams, Phidarian Mathis, Casey Toohill, Daniel Wise, Efe Obada, Shaka Toney
Chase Young will open the season on the PUP list and, therefore, does not count against the the 53-man roster. William Bradley-King could sneak on as the 10th lineman; they like him and he'd be a painful cut, but it's uncertain if they'll have room -- and Toney's ability to turn the corner is something they want to develop. Obada and Wise provide flexibility by being able to line up inside or out.
LINEBACKER (5): Cole Holcomb, Jamin Davis, David Mayo, Khaleke Hudson, Milo Eifler
The last spot could go to undrafted rookie Tre Walker, who retired and then unretired a day later in camp. Eifler's speed and the fact that he's worked on multiple special teams units gives him an edge. Davis' growth will be pivotal to this group's success. Washington rarely plays three-linebacker sets so it'll rely on Holcomb and Davis; their depth remains a question.
CORNERBACK (6): Kendall Fuller, William Jackson III, Benjamin St-Juste, Danny Johnson, Corn Elder, Christian Holmes
There's a good chance they'll only keep five but they lack enough proven depth and that could prompt them to keep seventh-round pick Holmes. Keeping five could be risky as St-Juste needs to prove he can be durable. If they're confident in him, they could try to sneak Holmes onto the practice squad and keep six safeties. Another to watch: DeJuan Neal, who has impressed the coaches as well. Washington needs starters Fuller and Jackson to stay healthy.
SAFETY (5): Bobby McCain, Kamren Curl, Percy Butler, Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Reaves
The odd man out could be Steven Parker, who joined the Commanders after camp began and immediately opened eyes with his physical play. But if they keep an extra corner, it'll be tough to find a spot for Parker. He's worth keeping on the practice squad and warrants a spot at some point. Butler and Forrest will compete to play the third safety when they use the Buffalo nickel package.
SPECIALISTS (3): Tress Way, Joey Slye, Camaron Cheeseman
Washington should feel good about its punter and long-snapper situation with Way -- the longest tenured Washington player -- and Cheeseman, respectively. Way gets better every season, whether with his directional punts or dropping the ball inside the 20-yard line. Washington must hope that Slye becomes a consistent kicker -- he made all six of his field goal attempts in six games with them last season. But he missed his first extra-point attempt this preseason.