Commanders' draft pick in danger after preseason breakout emerges

Not much went right for the Washington Commanders in their preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Not many things went right all preseason, for that matter.

There was one highlight play, but that's about it. Late in the second quarter, Sam Hartman found backup tight end Colson Yankoff for a 52-yard gain up the middle of the field. The second-year undrafted player is looking to make Washington's roster just as he did in 2024, and he had to have helped his case with his impressive flash.

This spells bad news for another Commanders tight end who is now firmly in potential shock cut territory. At this point, it might not even be a shock.

Colson Yankoff could make the Commanders roster over Ben Sinnott

While Yankoff turned heads, the same could not be said for 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott, who did not catch a pass for the second consecutive game. The Kansas State product's preseason ends with a stat line of two catches for 10 receiving yards, both of which came in the warmup opener against the New England Patriots.

After a rookie season in which he struggled to get on the field, few players needed to show improvement this summer more than Sinnott. He has not passed the eye test over the offseason, and it begs the question as to whether or not he even deserves a second season.

Veteran Zach Ertz is set as the starter, and John Bates' role is secure as an elite blocker. The hope was for Sinnott to develop behind the long-time Philadelphia Eagles star and eventually replace him as the starter. He instead finds himself competing with Yankoff just to make the team.

It's hard to say what Sinnott brings to Washington that Yankoff doesn't. The former UCLA standout is a much more effective contributor on special teams, which predominantly defined his usage last year. If he can get involved in the passing game, too, it's a no-brainer to give him the spot.

The Commanders could end up keeping four tight ends again, but it's less likely than it was last year. Washington wasn't going to cut ties with any of its top three for Yankoff in 2024. After a full season to evaluate Sinnott, the only justification to keep him around is the fact that he was a second-round pick.

Adam Peters has already shown a cutthroat willingness to part ways with his own draft picks rather than stubbornly keeping them around in an attempt to prove himself right. Yankoff's performance might be enough to seal Sinnott's fate.

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