The Washington Commanders made significant roster moves this Tuesday, trimming down to the mandated 53 players. In a notable trade, Washington sent wide receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles, signaling a strategic shift as the team approached the new season.
The roster cuts were far-reaching, affecting several recent draft picks. The 2023 draft class saw considerable attrition, with Ricky Stromberg, Braeden Daniels, K.J. Henry, Chris Rodriguez, and Andre Jones Jr. among those let go. The Commanders made additional moves impacting their past selections. For instance, from the seven-player group drafted only 16 months ago, draft picks Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Quan Martin are the only ones still on the team.
Across Ron Rivera's tenure from 2020 to 2023, Washington drafted 33 players. At present, a mere 12 of those players remain on the roster, underscoring the often ruthlessly competitive nature of the NFL. The Commanders hold the second waiver wire claim spot, just behind the Carolina Panthers, positioning them to recalibrate the squad as needed.
Dan Quinn, addressing these decisions, remarked, "We're always going to make what we think is the best decision for the team. That's our obligation. There's no 'ours' or 'theirs,' or any of that kind of good stuff. Like once I was here, I connected with lots of players here. So yeah, no looking at it as anything other than just do what we need to do best for the team and really that's where it starts and ends."
Positions in Flux
The Commanders have now prioritized depth in key areas, yet the final roster might still see changes. The current breakdown includes three quarterbacks, three running backs, six wide receivers, four tight ends, nine offensive linemen, nine defensive linemen, five cornerbacks, six safeties, and three specialists. Notable cuts included quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Trace McSorley and running backs Chris Rodriguez Jr., Michael Wiley, and Austin Jones.
The wide receiver position saw extensive cuts as well, including Martavis Bryant, Kazmeir Allen, Davion Davis, Mitchell Tinsley, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and Brycen Tremayne. Tight end Cole Turner didn't make the cut, and neither did some promising offensive line players like Ricky Stromberg, Cameron Tom, and Julian Good-Jones.
Quinn emphasized the ongoing evaluation process, saying, "As the wire comes back out today, obviously the scouting department is the key part of that, of assessing a player that may be on another team that gets released and a current player on our team."
Defensive Adjustments
The defensive lineup also experienced a shake-up with cuts including K.J. Henry, Andre Jones Jr., Jalen Harris, and Justin Hollins. Linebackers Chapelle Russell and Anthony Pittman were also released, along with cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem and Nick Whiteside.
Quinn provided insight into the frenetic nature of the waiver process: "It's pretty normal around the league this year at this time that a lot of these conversations and things happen. And quite often, you look at some players that never end up making it on the waiver wire. I think we'll have a better assessment for that as we head into tomorrow afternoon and the days ahead."
Amid the restructuring, defensive tackles Allen and Payne remain high-level starters. Martin and Jeremy Chinn form a solid safety duo, while Bryan Robinson, Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols are slated to lead the running back corps. These stalwarts provide a foundation as the Commanders explore the waiver wire for potential additions.
Moving Forward
Reflecting on the intensive cuts and future prospects, Quinn praised the tenacity of the remaining players: "You feel their intensity, you feel their speed when they play. The speed, the physicality, the effort, the straining, those are things that are Commander-style plays and I thought those two really represented that."
With Lucas having missed significant time due to unspecified tightness, the team aims to bolster its lineup through strategic waivers and possibly more trades. The evolving dynamics underscore a pivotal period for the Washington Commanders as they prepare to kick off the new season with a redefined squad.