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Washington Commanders Final 2024 Roster Projection
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Washington Commanders Final 2024 Roster Projection

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders open the 2024 NFL regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 8 at Raymond James Stadium.

The Commanders’ new front office and coaching staff have overhauled last season’s roster, with about 55 percent — possibly more — of them newcomers. They’ve completely changed at quarterback and linebacker. But Washington will enter the season needing to determine whether it has two good starting cornerbacks and has done a good enough job rebuilding the offensive line. The Commanders may want to consider trading some notable draft picks from the previous regime, such as defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.

The roster will be cut to 53 players at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here’s a look at the Commanders:

QUARTERBACKS (3): Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel

Washington has two quarterbacks who were selected 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. With Mariota nursing a groin injury and Driskel having a good summer, he makes the team with Sam Hartman a strong candidate for the practice squad.


RUNNINGBACKS (3): Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols

Robinson will carry 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 can also help as a kick returner). McNichols has been 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 think he can help as a kick returner.


WIDE RECEIVERS (6): With Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus, Jamison Crowder and Byron Pringle.

Washington lacks a strong No. 2 target opposite McLaurin, so it will fill that role by committee, as it did before trading Jahan Dotson to Philadelphia. Crowder and Pringle make the cut for their return ability — on punts and kickoffs, respectively. Martavis Bryant could always be stuck 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 has been 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 (either Lucas or Coleman, who started 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 start inside, with Armstrong and Ferrell outside. The coaches are pleased with the progress Davis, who played linebacker his first three seasons, has made at end. Ridgeway is marginally favored 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 may miss the first game or two after surgery to repair a torn meniscus, so it’s possible they’ll keep another linebacker until he’s ready — possibly veteran Anthony Pittman. Hampton was drafted as a safety and could play either spot.


CORNER FIGHTERS (6): Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil, Noah Igbinoghene, Mike Davis, Tariq Castro-Fields

Forbes and St-Juste will likely start outside, but both are coming off tough seasons and need to prove themselves. Sainristil, a rookie second-round pick, will start inside. Another name to watch for a spot: undrafted rookie Chigozie Anusiem.


SAFETY (5): Quan Martin, Jeremy Chinn, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves, Tyler Owens

If they only take five, they lose someone who could help another team. If they keep a sixth, Darrick Forrest would make the roster. If he’s one of the five that makes it, Reaves could be in jeopardy. Martin and Chinn will be the top safeties, with Butler the third. Owens, an undrafted rookie, has been a standout in training camp.


SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott (LS), Cade York (K)

Washington just traded York, so he has the job — for now. But York needs to prove he’s more consistent than he was as a rookie fourth-round pick in 2022 with Cleveland, when he made 24 of 32 field goals. Otherwise, Washington will be looking for its fourth kicker since June. Way and Ott are firmly established.