ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders open the 2024 NFL regular season at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 8 at Raymond James Stadium.
The Commanders' new front office and coaching staff have turned over their roster from last season, with approximately 55% of it -- possibly more -- being newcomers. They've changed completely at quarterback and linebacker. But Washington will enter the season needing to determine whether it has two quality starting cornerbacks and has done a good enough job rebuilding the offensive line. The Commanders could look to trade some notable draft picks from the prior regime, such as defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Commanders:
QUARTERBACKS (3): Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel
Washington has two quarterbacks who were picked second overall and won the Heisman Trophy. Daniels, who had a strong summer, becomes the 11th quarterback to start for the franchise since the start of 2019. Because Mariota has dealt with a groin issue, and because Driskel had a good summer, he makes the roster with Sam Hartman a strong practice-squad candidate.
RUNNING BACKS (3): Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols
Robinson will handle the heavy load in the run game while Ekeler will serve as a third-down back. But Robinson can also help as a pass catcher and Ekeler in the run game (he also might help as a kick returner). McNichols was used a lot this preseason, from scrimmage and on special teams. Kazmeir Allen is one to watch -- he's only 5-foot-8, 176 pounds but coaches like his potential -- especially if they feel he can help as a kick returner.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus, Jamison Crowder, Byron Pringle.
Washington lacks a strong No. 2 target opposite McLaurin, so it will fill that role by committee. That was true even before they traded Jahan Dotson to Philadelphia. Crowder and Pringle make it for their return ability -- on punts and kickoffs, respectively. Martavis Bryant could always be stashed on the practice squad to see if he develops; if nothing else he'd provide a big body to work against in practice.
TIGHT ENDS (3): Zach Ertz, John Bates, Ben Sinnott
The roles are set: Ertz will be the primary pass catcher and Bates is an excellent blocker who can catch but isn't a playmaker, while rookie Sinnott will hopefully do a little of both. They could keep a fourth and, if they do, undrafted free agent Colson Yankoff is the one to watch. Cole Turner was too inconsistent catching the ball this summer.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie, Tyler Biadasz, Nick Allegretti, Brandon Coleman, Cornelius Lucas, Michael Deiter, Julian Good-Jones, Chris Paul
The Commanders will have new starters at center (Biadasz), left guard (Allegretti) and left tackle (whether it's Lucas or Coleman, who had been starting before a shoulder/pec injury in early August). Wylie needs a stronger year at right tackle. Washington's line must protect Daniels.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell, Dante Fowler Jr., Jer'Zhan Newton, John Ridgeway III, Jamin Davis, KJ Henry, Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Allen and Payne will start inside with Armstrong and Ferrell outside. The coaches like how Davis, a linebacker his first three seasons, has progressed at end. Ridgeway barely gets the nod over 2022 second-round pick Phidarian Mathis. Another to watch: undrafted tackle Norell Pollard.
LINEBACKERS (5): Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Mykal Walker, Dominique Hampton, Jordan Magee
Wagner and Luvu should be a productive combination. Magee might miss the first game or two after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus so it's possible they keep another linebacker until he's ready -- possibly veteran Anthony Pittman. Hampton was drafted as a safety and can play both spots.
CORNERBACKS (6): Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil, Noah Igbinoghene, Mike Davis, Tariq Castro-Fields
Forbes and St-Juste probably will start outside, but both are coming off tough seasons and must prove themselves. Sainristil, a rookie second-round pick, will start inside. Another name to watch for a spot: undrafted rookie Chigozie Anusiem.
SAFETIES (5): Quan Martin, Jeremy Chinn, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves, Tyler Owens
If they take only five, they'll lose someone who can help another team. If they keep a sixth then Darrick Forrest would make the roster. If he's one of the five to make it, then Reaves could be in jeopardy. Martin and Chinn will be the top safeties, with Butler serving as the third. Owens, an undrafted rookie, was a training camp standout.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott (LS), Cade York (K)
Washington just traded for York, so he'll have the job -- for now. York, though, must prove he's more consistent than as a rookie fourth-round pick in 2022 with Cleveland when he made 24 of 32 field goals. Otherwise, Washington will have to seek its fourth kicker since June. Way and Ott are firmly established.