5 Commanders already in danger of falling behind at 2025 training camp

The Washington Commanders already have plenty to ponder after a fascinating first few days of training camp. Dan Quinn and his exceptional coaching staff are ramping things up gradually, but some players wasted no time making their presence felt in Ashburn.

And that means others are playing catch-up in pursuit of roster spots or prominent positions on the depth chart.

Washington worked hard to increase competition across the board this offseason. Adam Peters was aggressive in getting proven performers into the franchise who can help the Commanders win right now. At the same time, those who perform well throughout camp and the preseason will be rewarded accordingly.

This is the best way to keep urgency high and ensure that no player is still reveling in last season's accomplishments. Much more is expected of the Commanders in 2025. That's a responsibility Quinn and his players are taking seriously, but not everyone is going to come along for the ride.

With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who are already in danger of falling behind at 2025 training camp.

Commanders players already in danger of falling behind at 2025 training camp

Kevon Seymour - Commanders CB

The Washington Commanders have an embarrassment of riches at the cornerback position this offseason. And judging by the position group's start to training camp, they are eager to become an area of significant strength when competitive action commences.

Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, Jonathan Jones, Noah Igbinoghene, and second-round pick Trey Amos have all flourished at different stages of training camp so far. These five are locked into the roster, and all can play an important role for the club in 2025. That leaves one or maybe two spots for the rest, which doesn't make things any easier for others.

One of those is Kevon Seymour. The veteran joined Washington after serving a six-game suspension last season. He was used sparingly and didn't feature in the defensive rotation during the Commanders' memorable run to the NFC Championship game. Adam Peters gave him another one-year deal this offseason, but there are no guarantees attached.

Seymour, and every other cornerback looking to make the 53-man roster, is looking for sixth place on the depth chart. That's the best and most realistic outcome from the outside looking in. But it already looks like a tall order for the former sixth-round selection out of USC.

A huge effort is needed from Seymour. But in all honesty, even that might not be enough.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. - Commanders RB

It's no secret that Jacory Croskey-Merritt has set the Washington Commanders' running back room alight since being selected at No. 245 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. The rookie made a hugely positive impression in early workouts. This trend has continued over the opening few sessions of training camp.

While head coach Dan Quinn acknowledged that it's hard to evaluate running backs until the pads go on, he also singled out Croskey-Merritt for special praise. In particular, the decisiveness of his cuts, which became a strong feature of his college production before the NCAA revoked his eligibility one game into his transfer to Arizona.

Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are firmly entrenched as the starting tandem. Croskey-Merritt is also on course to make the roster and impact the rotation, so Chris Rodriguez Jr. becoming the odd man out looks more likely than ever.

Rodriguez got his restricted free-agent tender triggered by the Commanders this offseason. The former sixth-round pick out of Kentucky displayed improved explosiveness and contact balance when carries came his way in 2024. That was a positive step in the right direction, but he must prove himself all over again this summer.

Much will depend on how many running backs the Commanders take through, but Rodriguez already has his work cut out for him.

Ben Nikkel - Commanders S

It's not just the cornerbacks who've thrived over the initial exchanges at training camp. There's also a lot to like about the safety unit, which came into the summer with questions to answer after Adam Peters let Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency.

Quan Martin and Will Harris have both drawn plaudits for their early camp contributions. Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler both got one-year extensions as a result of their efforts. Tyler Owens is also getting plenty of work with the first-string defense as the former undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech looks for more playing time in Year 2 of his professional career.

This all but guarantees these five will make the roster. That might be all the Commanders need, so anyone else vying for roles could be fighting a losing battle.

Ben Nikkel has the size and length typically associated with defensive backs in Dan Quinn's defensive scheme. He joined last season but spent his time on the practice squad. Getting a reserve/futures contract represented a big confidence boost, but it's hard to envisage a scenario where he makes the roster currently.

Sticking around on the practice squad would be an achievement for Nikkel. But even that's not set in stone.

Andre Jones Jr. - Commanders DE/OLB

Adam Peters faced questions all offseason about the lack of dynamic edge rushers at the Washington Commanders' disposal. It remains a potential complication that could hold them back, but the addition of future Pro Football Hall of Fame pass-rusher Von Miller should help considerably.

Miller might be firmly at the tail-end of his glittering career, but he can still generate pressure consistently. He's already flashed tremendous promise at training camp, and his presence pushes everyone else further down the pecking order for good measure.

Peters ruthlessly disposed of Ron Rivera's draft picks over his first year in charge. Andre Jones Jr. stuck around, albeit on the practice squad initially, after not quite doing enough to make the 53-man roster in 2024. The former seventh-round selection got a reserve/futures contract this offseason, but his chances of making the squad this time around look bleak.

Others are clearly above him on the depth chart. That's unlikely to change unless Jones takes a meteoric surge forward in the coming weeks, but he could earn a practice squad place once again by impressing in the preseason.

That's probably the best-case scenario for Jones. And it'll take a massive effort from the third-year pro to remain with the franchise in some capacity.

Jacoby Jones - Commanders WR

The wide receiver unit doesn't have the benefit of Terry McLaurin to lean on currently. One of the team's franchise cornerstones is holding out of training camp in pursuit of a new contract that hasn't arrived as yet. Although disappointing, it's provided others with more opportunities to shine.

Luke McCaffrey has started camp well. The same goes for Deebo Samuel Sr. and rookie Jaylin Lane. One also cannot dismiss the impact made by undrafted free agent Ja'Corey Brooks, who's been an absolute revelation en route to securing reps with the first-string offense much sooner than expected.

Brooks is proving that no moment is too big. Making the roster will be difficult upon further examination of the depth chart, but he's given himself a fighting chance of staying on the squad.

This has also pushed Brooks ahead of fellow undrafted free agent Jacoby Jones. He's not gained anything like the same headlines over the initial stages of training camp, but there is still time to turn things around against all odds.

The stakes cannot be higher for Jones. Taking advantage of every training camp rep is crucial. Washington would also be wise to give the UCF product all he can handle during the preseason to see how he fares.

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