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The Washington Commanders reported to training camp on Tuesday with one notable absence. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin officially opened training camp as a holdout. McLaurin has one season remaining on his contract and is seeking a new deal comparable to that of other receivers who’ve recently earned extensions.
Regardless of when McLaurin receives a new deal — and we believe he will — he’ll be on Washington’s roster come Week 1. Who else will be on the Commanders’ season-opening 53-man roster? In honor of practice beginning on Wednesday, we make our first 53-man roster projection of the 2025 season.
- Jayden Daniels
- Marcus Mariota
Last year, the Commanders kept three. That’s not necessary this time around. While anything can happen, Washington’s quarterback position is in the capable hands of Daniels and Mariota. This could be the NFL’s best QB1/2 situation. Mariota helped the Commanders win two games in relief last season.
- Brian Robinson Jr.
- Austin Ekeler
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Robinson and Ekeler are Washington’s top two backs. Jeremy McNichols was excellent in his role last season, serving as RB3 and occasionally as RB2. Will he be back? We aren’t so sure. He does everything right and possesses the intangibles Dan Quinn loves. There’s no way the rookie Croskey-Merritt is not on the opening 53-man roster.
- Terry McLaurin
- Deebo Samuel
- Luke McCaffrey
- Jaylin Lane
- Noah Brown
- K.J. Osborn
It should be fun watching McLaurin and Samuel play together, catching passes from Daniels. Don’t be surprised if McCaffrey makes a big leap in 2025. He can play the slot or outside. Lane will likely make his biggest impact in the return game as a rookie. Brown was an excellent addition last season and returns in a similar role. He’s also Washington’s biggest wideout. The final spot goes to Osborn. Michael Gallup is unlikely to play special teams, which gives the nod to Osborn.
- Zach Ertz
- John Bates
- Ben Sinnott
- Colson Yankoff
Same group as last year. Don’t be surprised if Sinnott takes a big leap, like McCaffrey in year two. Ertz and Bates return in the same role, while Yankoff is back. The Commanders shocked everyone by keeping the UDFA last offseason, but he shines on special teams and is a developmental player at tight end.
- Laremy Tunsil
- Josh Conerly Jr.
- Tyler Biadasz
- Brandon Coleman
- Nick Allegretti
- Andrew Wylie
- Trent Scott
- Michael Deiter
- Nate Herbig
- Foster Sarell
Yes, Sam Cosmi is not on this list because he is still recovering from ACL surgery. He is on track to return this year, but, for now, he will not open on the 53-man roster. Instead, we give Sarell the final spot. Allegretti should start at right guard until Cosmi returns. He started at left guard last season, but that should be Brandon Coleman’s new position. Not only did Washington improve the offensive line, but it also improved the depth. There is good depth here.
- Von Miller
- Dorance Armstrong
- Clelin Ferrell
- Javontae Jean-Baptiste
- Jacob Martin
- Deatrich Wise
Von Miller is not Von Miller from five years ago, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a significant addition. He had six sacks in a smaller role for the Bills last season. Armstrong was solid in his first season for Washington and looks to add more pass rush in 2025. Wise is another good, stable veteran who is not a star, but does everything right. Sort of like Ferrell. Both can also play the run. Martin can give some juice as a part-time pass rusher. Jean-Baptiste is another second-year player that head coach Dan Quinn is high on. Jean-Baptiste’s length and athleticism are exciting.
- Daron Payne
- Javon Kinlaw
- Jer’Zhan Newton
- Eddie Goldman
This could be a really solid group. Coaches have praised Payne throughout the offseason. The Commanders need him to revert to his 2022 form, where he was one of the NFL’s top interior disruptors. Kinlaw was the top free-agent signee, and the Commanders believe he will significantly help the run defense, while also bringing some pass rush. Newton is a second-year player the Commanders want to see take a major step forward in 2025. There will be opportunities. Goldman holds off Day because of his size and ability against the run. The Commanders like Day, after he helped the team last season. He and Goldman will come down to the wire.
- Bobby Wagner
- Frankie Luvu
- Jordan Magee
- Nick Bellore (special teams)
- Kain Medrano (R)
Wagner and Luvu are terrific. Even if Wagner is entering his 14th NFL season in 2025, he remains a tremendously productive player. It’s his leadership that sets him apart. Luvu was outstanding last season and could post bigger sack numbers in 2025. Magee is the player to watch. Last year’s rookie has coaches excited, and he’ll have a chance to be the top reserve linebacker. Bellore is strictly a special-teams player, and one of the best, while Medrano will begin as a linebacker, but his athleticism allows Washington to move around.
- Marshon Lattimore
- Mike Sainristil
- Jonathan Jones
- Trey Amos
- Noah Igbinoghene
While some young players could impress in camp, it appears these guys have been set for a while. The Commanders are expecting a bounce-back year from Lattimore and believe another year will turn Sainristil into one of the NFL’s best at his position. Jones can play inside or outside and gives Washington terrific depth at cornerback. Washington has high hopes for second-round pick Amos. Igbinoghene was a terrific signing last offseason.
- Quan Martin
- Will Harris
- Percy Butler
- Jeremy Reaves
- Tyler Owens
Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. recently said he believes Martin is already one of the best safeties in the NFL. He’ll be without Jeremy Chinn this season, as Harris gets the first crack at replacing him. Butler is an excellent third safety with excellent speed and range. Reaves is a special-teams star but plays well on defense every time his number is called. Owens is an athletic freak who starred on special teams last summer. It’s difficult to see the Commanders moving on from him.
- K Matt Gay
- P Tress Way
- LS Tyler Ott
This was a solid group last year, regardless of who kicked. Gay should stabilize Washington’s kicker position for the short term, while Way, Washington’s longest-tenured player, returns. Ott is an excellent long snapper.
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