5 Commanders Position Groups To Watch In Preseason Finale Against Ravens, Roster Cutdowns Loom

The Washington Commanders faced one of their strongest tests of training camp yet when they traveled up north to Owings Mills, Maryland, to begin the final stretch of the preseason against the Baltimore Ravens. The final week of preseason kicked off on Wednesday that put emphasis on work between the starters on both sides of the ball. It gave Washington an opportunity to test it's offense and defense against one of the league's most established teams.

Despite several key starters sidelined with injuries headed into the joint practice, Washington still brought an intriguing blend of young players and veterans up north to Baltimore. But the practice also exposed some lingering concerns along the offensive line and within the depth of several position groups. With two weeks remaining to prepare for week one of the regular season, Friday’s preseason game against the Ravens represents the final opportunity for Washington to solidify its evaluations ahead of Sunday’s league-wide 53-man roster deadline.

Here are five Commanders position groups to watch in Friday’s preseason game:

1. Wide Receiver Core

The Washington Commanders will face some tough decision this weekend, with head coach Dan Quinn declaring this position group as the deepest competition of the offseason. It is clear that Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs occupy the top spots of the wide receiver core and not expected to suit up against the Ravens on Friday. That leaves the rest of the room split between players who have already made strong impressions and those still fighting to make their case for a roster spot.

Antonio Williams is a guy Washington drafted this year and the rookie has already made a solid impression. He went 3-for-3 in receptions from 46 yards in the team's preseason matchup against the Detroit Lions and followed that performance with an outstanding showing in Wednesday's joint practice. Williams won matchups against Ravens' safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Nate Wiggins in one-on-ones, before ending the day with a touchdown pass from quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Jaylin Lane has also put together a strong finish after a relatively uneven start to training camp. Lane has shown considerable growth throughout the offseason, but his impact as punt returner makes an even greater statement. General manager Adam Peters even said that he believes Lane is the best punt returner the team selected in the 2025 draft, further highlighting his impact on special teams.

Luke McCaffrey is another young receiver who has continued to show growth and progress this offseason. The Commanders appear to be pleased with his development. His versatility could make him valuable beyond the wide receiver room, particularly on special teams.

There's also Treylon Burks, a name that has generated plenty of buzz throughout the offseason. Burks was signed to Washington mid-season last year amidst the rise of team injuries. He finished the season with 10 receptions for 103-yards across eights games. His defining moment came in week 13 against the Denver Broncos when he made a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch that quickly made him a fan favorite.

Since then, Burks has continued to flash the ability to make plays down the field and provide Washington with another potential versatile threat.

Jaden Bradley has also been turning heads in training camp, while making a strong case for a roster spot. The undrafted rookie has flashed plenty of potential, one of which being his acrobatic 30-yard, one-handed catch over the shoulder in the team’s last preseason game.

Veteran Van Jefferson has impressed Quinn over the offseason, bringing size, experience and playmaking ability to Washington. Jefferson has flashed early on in camp and even put together a multi-catch performance in the team's joint practice against the Miami Dolphins.

Meanwhile, Dyami Brown made his return back to Washington after following a season with Jacksonville Jaguars. While Brown hasn't exactly been the flashiest guy in camp, Quinn has praised his development, and he has built strong play connections with Daniels.

Washington’s wide receiver room offers plenty of intriguing options behind McLaurin and Diggs. Friday’s preseason finale will provide one final look at which players can best complement the duo heading into the regular season.

2. Cornerback Room

Washington’s top cornerbacks appear to be Amik Robertson, Mike Sainristil, Rasul Douglas, and Trey Amos. With Amos sidelined with an ankle injury, the depth behind the team’s top four becomes an important storyline heading into Friday’s preseason finale.

The Commanders signed Fabian Moreau earlier this month following the unexpected retirement of Ahkello Witherspoon. Moreau brings plenty of experience to the room and has a familiarity with defensive coordinator Daronte Jones from their time together with the Minnesota Vikings. Friday’s matchup against the Ravens gives Moreau another opportunity to make his case.

Antonio Hamilton Sr. and Darius Rush have also turned heads throughout the preseason. Both have made tremendous plays as tacklers, and Rush has even shown that he can provide additional value on special teams.

With Amos’ injury creating uncertainty behind the top of the depth chart, the cornerback room will be one to watch closely in Friday’s preseason finale.

3. Running Back Room

The Commanders’ running back room has featured plenty versatility and talent, making it one of the more exciting position group battles throughout the offseason. But as training camp and the preseason have progressed, the picture has become increasingly clear.

Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt and Rashaad White have emerged as Washington’s clear top two running backs, though neither is expected to suit up against Baltimore on Friday. Veteran Jeremy McNichols, meanwhile, has been sidelined for much of camp with a quad injury but he has established himself as a trusted option for Washington.

Jerome Ford was also released by the Commanders on Sunday, Aug. 23, with an injury settlement following the team’s preseason matchup against the Detroit Lions.

With McNichols sidelined and Ford no longer on the roster, opportunities have opened up for younger backs such as Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry Jr. to strengthen their cases for roster spots.

Allen, Washington’s sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, has put together an impressive camp and preseason. He has showcased his speed and ability in pass protection while also finding the end zone in the Commanders’ preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins.

Henry also made an immediate impact in the preseason opener, scoring a touchdown of his own. However, his performance since then has been more uneven. He struggled with ball security during the second preseason game against the Lions and again during Wednesday’s joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens.

With roster spots still up for grabs in the depth of Washington’s running back room, Allen and Henry are two of the young running backs worth watching closely in Friday’s preseason finale.

4. Safety Room

Washington’s safety room underwent a dramatic transition just days before the team’s preseason trip to Baltimore, headlined by the surprising releases of veteran safety Will Harris and undrafted rookie Malik Spencer.

Throughout training camp, Jeremy Reaves and Nick Cross established themselves as Washington’s top two safeties, while Quan Martin has made a strong case for a significant role with an impressive preseason. Martin recorded two interceptions through Washington’s first two preseason games. 

Tyler Owens is another player worth watching. With arguably being the most athletic on this Commanders team, Owens showcased intense physicality, particularly during Washington’s preseason matchup against the Detroit Lions. He has also proven to be a valuable contributor on special teams, an area where Percy Butler has made his mark as well.

With roster cutdowns approaching, Martin, Owens, and Butler are players in this core to keep an eye on in Friday’s preseason finale against in Baltimore as Washington’s revamped safety room continues to take shape.

5. Offensive Line

The Washington Commanders’ offensive line remains one of the team’s biggest areas of concern heading into Friday’s preseason matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

The potential season-ending injury to star left tackle Laremy Tunsil, combined with the absence of the team’s presumed starting center Nick Allegretti has forced the Commanders to reshuffle the offensive line. This created some inconsistency down the stretch which also contributes to evaluations of the unit. The center position, in particular, has emerged as the biggest question mark.

With Allegretti sidelined, Julian Good-Jones stepped into the center role against the Detroit Lions in week two of the preseason, making for a difficult-to-forget opening offensive series. Washington struggled to establish much rhythm, limiting quarterback Daniels’ opportunities to make plays.

With that in mind, head coach Dan Quinn announced this week that Matt Gulbin would receive increased reps at center. The rookie appeared to fare slightly better at the position during Wednesday’s joint practice against the Ravens, but Friday’s preseason game will provide his biggest test yet.

The concerns along the line extend beyond center. Left guard Sam Cosmi, who has been one of the unit’s bright spots, was ruled out of Wednesday’s joint practice and Friday’s preseason game. His absence contributed to the concerns surrounding Washington’s performance against Baltimore’s first-team defense during the joint practice.

Washington also brought in Pro Bowl left tackle D.J. Humphries, signaling a clear attempt to add depth to the offensive line. Meanwhile, Brandon Coleman has continued to showcase his versatility by taking reps at both tackle and guard, though it remains unclear where he will ultimately settle long term.

With injuries creating uncertainty and several players still competing for roles, the offensive line is a group to keep a close eye on against the Ravens.