Washington Commanders 53-Man Roster Prediction: Who Makes the Cut?

There are exactly four weeks until the Washington Commanders have to finalize their 53-man roster for the 2025 NFL season.

Remember the days when the football coach taped their roster to the history teacher’s door after class on Friday? Picture that, only instead of getting to go back out for the team the following year in middle school, this is for millions of dollars – and the chance to compete for a Super Bowl.

Most of the Commanders’ available roster spots are already locked up by surefire starters and important developmental pieces. That said, there will be a mad dash for the final open spots for depth pieces, special teamers, and overlooked dark horses.

A lot can change in four weeks, but this is the 53-man roster I’d expect the Commanders to finalize if submissions were due today.

Quarterback: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Josh Johnson
First out: Sam Hartman

Mariota played well while filling in for Daniels against the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys in Week 18, and he’s an important veteran presence for a second-year starter. Johnson, 39, is experienced and backed up Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. Hartman would get to spend a year continuing his development and could potentially move up to QB2 if Mariota isn’t re-signed after his one-year deal expires.  

Running back: Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt
First out: Jeremy McNichols
Other cuts: Chris Rodriguez, Demetric Felton

Robinson Jr. and Ekeler aren’t going anywhere, and the Commanders appear to be high on Croskey-Merritt. McNichols was solid in pass protection and with goal-line work last year but didn’t offer much else, while Rodriguez isn’t a consistently impactful player.

Wide receiver: Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown, Deebo Samuel, Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, Ja’Corey Brooks
First out: Michael Gallup
Other cuts: Chris Moore, Mike Strachan, Jacoby Jones, Tay Martin, K.J. Osborn, Kazemeir Allen 

The Brooks inclusion might be controversial, but it could also be necessary with Brown’s recent injuries and McLaurin’s uncertain future. He was signed to a three-year deal and had a great start to camp, and his 6-foot-3 frame offers something the rest of the Commanders’ receivers don’t have. Gallup was a nice story but hasn’t caught more than 445 yards in a season since 2020, and none of the others have a consistent upside.

Tight end: Zach Ertz, John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Colson Yankoff
First out: Cole Turner
Other cuts: Tyree Jackson, Lawrence Cager

Yankoff, a second-year player, made the 53-man team as a rookie. He has impressive measurables and can contribute on special teams, which gives him the edge over the athletic but raw Turner.

Tackle: Laremy Tunsil, Trent Scott, Andrew Wylie, Josh Conerly Jr.
First out: Bobby Hart
Other cuts: Tyre Phillips, Lucas Niang, Foster Sarell

There’s a clear separation between the top four and the remaining challengers. Tunsil and Conerly Jr. are also the clear-cut long-term solutions at the position (hopefully). Simple.

Guard: Brandon Coleman, Sam Cosmi, Nick Allegretti, Chris Paul
First out: Timothy McKay

Similarly, these four players are well above the rest. The Commanders only kept nine total offensive linemen last year, which means Paul could be at risk.

Center: Tyler Biadasz, Michael Deiter
First out: Julian Good-Jones

Centers are a specialty position in the league, so it’s nice to have two players dedicated to the position. Deiter did not perform well when called upon last year, but he’s unlikely to play except in case of a major injury to Biadasz.

EDGE: Dorance Armstrong, Von Miller, Deatrich Wise Jr., Clelin Ferrell, Javontae Jean-Baptiste
First out: Jacob Martin
Other cuts: Jalyn Holmes, Andre Jones Jr., T.J. Maguranyanga, Viliami Fehoko Jr.

Martin has reportedly looked solid in camp and should vie with players such as Ja’Corey Brooks, Colson Yankoff, Nick Bellore, and Sheldon Day for that final spot on the Commanders roster. Holmes also misses out due to the Commanders’ offseason additions, including Wise Jr. and Miller.

Defensive tackle: Javon Kinlaw, Daron Payne, Eddie Goldman, Jer’Zhan Newton
First out: Sheldon Day
Other cuts: Norell Pollard, Carl Davis, Ricky Barber

Day moved from the practice squad to the full 53-man roster in place of Phidarius Mathis, a 2022 second-round pick of the Commanders. Although the defensive line struggled against the run and pass, Day had moments of impressive play. He still could miss out due to the size of Goldman, who, alongside Kinlaw, should allow the defense to anchor down in the trenches.

Linebacker: Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jordan Magee, Dominique Hampton, Kain Medrano
First out: Nick Bellore
Other cuts: Kam Arnold, Ale Kaho

Drafting Medrano put Bellore, a 36-year-old special teams expert, in a tough spot. He could still easily end up on the Commanders’ roster because of his excellence on teams and respect from Head Coach Dan Quinn, who recently praised him by name in front of the media. That said, it feels like the Commanders might need to carry an extra receiver more due to the uncertainty there.

Cornerback: Marshon Lattimore, Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene
First out: Robert McDaniel
Other cuts: Bobby Price, Kevon Seymour, Car’lin Vigers, Allan George

McDaniel was extremely versatile at Jackson State, recording 48 tackles, four pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles during his one season with the program. He’s an excellent candidate to develop on the practice squad and return to compete for a spot at nickel or safety next year.

Safety: Will Harris, Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, Tyler Owens
First out: Ben Nikkel

Nikkel is a former college walk-on who was signed as an undrafted free agent last year. He’s a top candidate to make the practice squad and could potentially be elevated, depending on injuries. However, Tyler Owens’ rise and potential ability to get on the field on defense, not just special teams, along with Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler being excellent special teams players makes Nikkel’s path to the field difficult.

Kicker: Matt Gay

Don’t hide any groin injuries.

Punter: Tress Way

The goat.

Long snapper: Tyler Ott

Don’t do anything dumb.