The 53-man roster cut deadline is on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 4pm. By then, all 32 teams must trim their roster from 90 to 53 players and The Commanders have just finished their final preseason game of the year. As they prepare to travel to Tampa Bay for their week 1 matchup against the Buccaneers on September 8th, we take a look at the moves that could be made in the next day and a half:
Marcus Mariota seems to be entrenched as the backup QB. With many touting his ability to be a mentor to Jayden Daniels, it doesn’t seem likely that Jeff Driskel supplants him. Though he has had a strong preseason, he threw a bad interception against the Patriots backup defenders and is actually older than Mariota with less experience as a starter. Will the commanders keep Driskel and three QBs on the 53-man roster? It’s possible, but not likely, and they may stash Sam Hartman on IR as he continued to recover from an injury suffered earlier in the preseason. If he’s healthy, he’s the perfect practice squad candidate, but may also make the main roster (they did give him a decent signing bonus as an undrafted free agent). McSorley did a good job showing he’s an option if injuries plague the QB room during the season. QB: Daniels, Mariota, Hartman (possibly PS)
At running back, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are locks for the roster, with both of them likely to see major action as they split carries. McNichols and Wiley both seem to be ahead of Chris Rodriguez for the last spot or two on the roster, with Kazmaier Allen a possibility as a WR/RB, but likely hasn’t flashed enough to be more than a practice squad prospect. RB: Robinson, Ekeler, McNichols
While Cole Turner has a big catch for 25 yards tonight, he also made a few mistakes. Is it enough to make the roster as a fourth tight end behind Ertz, Bates, and Sinnott? Turner and Colson Yankoff will battle it out for the chance at the fourth TE spot. TE: Ertz, Bates, Sinnott
Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheus, and Luke McCaffrey appear to be locks for the roster. Jamison Crowder had the night off, which has led many to think he is a lock as a returner (and backup slot role). Martavis Bryant is a big body who caught a touchdown and showed a glimpse of what he has to offer if he was to make the team. He’s battling Pringle, Mitchell, Tremayne, and Allen for what seems to be the last spot, unless the team goes with seven wide receivers. WR: McLaurin, Brown, Zaccheus, McCaffrey, Crowder, Pringle, Allen (RB/WR versatility)
On the offensive line, rookie Brandon Coleman will start at left tackle if he’s healthy. Cornelius Lucas, Andrew Wylie, Sam Cosmi, Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, and Chris Paul should join him. Either Michael Dieter, Braeden Daniels, or Ricky Stromberg will join the group. OL: Coleman, Wylie, Allegretti, Biadasz, Cosmi, Paul, Lucas, and Dieter.
A lot of people felt that Jamin Davis playing late into the fourth quarter means he should pack his bags. We have him making the team, and possibly getting plenty of snaps as an EDGE. He will join Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell, and KJ Henry who flashed again last night. It’s possible Efe Obada never plays football again, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste has a shot at making the team. DE: Armstrong, Ferrell, Henry, Davis, Jean-Baptiste
It seems as though John Ridgeway and Phidarian Mathis are battling for the last defensive tackle spot behind Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, and second round pick Johnny Newton. Ridgeway has probably played his way onto the team, but Mathis has the second round pedigree. We would not be shocked to see both of them make the final roster. If one of them is cut, it’s very possible they are claimed by another team. DT: Allen, Payne, Newton (possible IR candidate), Ridgeway, Mathis
At linebacker, Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Dante Fowler Jr., Jordan Magee are locks. We think Anthony Pittman makes the team for his special teams play as well. The only question is if Magee goes to IR, and it could lead to an opening for Dom Hampton, who is a converted safety. We think Hampton makes it over Mylar Walker. If Jamin Davis makes the team at DE, he can always fill in at LB if needed. LB: Wagner, Lucy, Fowler, Magee (IR possible), Pittman, Hampton
Rookie Mike Sainristil has looked like the best corner on the team. He will be joined by Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes, and Michael Davis, as locks to make the team at corner. We think Noah Igbinoghene makes the initial 53, but may be in trouble if a quality player gets cut from another team. CB: Forbes, St. Juste, Sainristil, Davis, Igbinoghene
Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin are the two we feel are definitely making the team. Darrick Forest, Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, and camp-surprise Tyler Owens are fighting for 2/3 spots. Many feel Forrest hasn’t done enough to make this team and if he does get cut, we do think he will be claimed by another team. We know Reaves is a great locker room presence, and he may be needed, but Forrest has more talent at the corner position. S: Chinn, Martin, Forrest, Butler, Owens
The Commanders traded for Cade York and he went 2/2 last night so we think he has made the team at kicker. They give up a 7th rounder if he is on the team for more than two games, so it’s possible they look for a quality veteran if they’re not completely impress by York. Tress Way will be the punter and Tyler Ott will be the long snapper.
Cuts may start as early as today and we expect the Commanders on the phone to discuss potential trades, especially surrounding Mathis, Ridgeway, Cole Turner, or Darrick Forest, who are all on the bubble at the moment.