5 Commanders players already falling behind at 2025 OTAs

Adam Peters worked hard to improve the roster this offseason. Head coach Dan Quinn and his accomplished staff are now busy putting their grand plans into action, entering Year 2 of this exciting regime.

The Washington Commanders achieved more than anyone dreamed of in 2024. They went from a perennial bottom-feeder to the NFC Championship game under Quinn's exceptional guidance. It was a turnaround of epic proportions, which could be the start of something special.

Complacency won't become an issue, not with Quinn leading the charge. The Commanders are banking on experience to get them deep into the postseason once again. That should self-police the locker room and keep standards high. The stakes are greater, but not everyone will come along for the ride.

Washington worked hard to raise competition for places throughout Peters' second recruitment period at the helm. Extra urgency is crucial if the Commanders want to prove their immediate accomplishments weren't just a flash in the pan. Jobs and positions on the depth chart are on the line. Anyone not pulling their weight or displaying the right growth will be demoted or shown the door entirely.

With this in mind, here are five Commanders players already falling behind during Washington's organized team activities.

Commanders players already falling behind at 2025 OTAs

Chris Rodriguez Jr. - Commanders RB

The introduction of seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt promises to shake up the Washington Commanders' running back room. His imposing opening to early workouts caught the eye of coaches and raised expectations among the fans. Although these should be tempered slightly, the Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP is a player to watch as the summer progresses.

Adam Peters remains confident that Brian Robinson Jr. can become a more consistent threat in a contract year. Austin Ekeler is the dependable pass-catching option out of the backfield. Jeremy McNichols could also make the squad after getting a new one-year deal, although much will depend on how many running backs the Commanders take through.

Either way, things aren't looking especially promising for Chris Rodriguez Jr. The former sixth-round pick out of Kentucky got an exclusive rights tender this offseason to prevent him from leaving in free agency. He deserved it after flashing promise when called upon, but Croskey-Merritt's arrival and strong start make his situation more precarious than ever.

Rodriguez must focus on what he can control. All he can do is perform well, showcase his aggressiveness, and take a physical approach in all phases. Everything after that is out of his hands, but a place on the practice squad remains the most likely outcome.

Luke McCaffrey - Commanders WR

The Washington Commanders are expecting more from Luke McCaffrey in 2025. They took things slowly with the wide receiver in Year 1 of his professional career, giving him plenty of reps but very few targets. This experience should serve him well, but getting complacent is simply not an option.

McCaffrey has talent. He's got nice hands and created separation better than most expected. There was also a lot to like about his ability in the return game, which flashed incredible potential late in the campaign and throughout the playoffs.

That's a big positive for McCaffrey to build upon. However, he'll need to prove himself all over again this offseason.

Washington traded for Deebo Samuel Sr. to provide Terry McLaurin with a legitimate running mate in the wideout room. They also spent the No. 128 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on Jaylin Lane, who has a lot of similar traits to McCaffrey and is a lot more explosive.

Lane caught fire early in his transition. The reviews coming out of the building are immensely positive surrounding the rookie. That places the onus squarely on McCaffrey to raise his game accordingly to avoid getting buried down the depth chart.

McCaffrey will make the team. But what the player's role will be hasn't been determined.

Sheldon Day - Commanders DL

Adam Peters is never settling. The Commanders' general manager is ultra-aggressive, keeping a close eye on developments around the league and how his squad is performing. Another example of this arrived just before OTAs began with the signing of Carl Davis.

The imposing defensive tackle performed relatively well when given opportunities last season. Washington waited a long time, but they eventually concluded that Davis was worth another look to see if he could impact the rotation.

That might not be good news and those already around. Even so, it's a small price to pay for progress as the Commanders look to firmly establish themselves among the NFL's elite once again.

Sheldon Day is someone who could be nervously looking over his shoulder when it's all said and done. Like Davis, the veteran did himself justice when starting reps came his way in 2024. That deservedly gave him a new deal, but there are no guarantees attached.

Day must maintain or perhaps even increase his output to make the 53-man roster again. But with Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, and Davis also vying for prominent involvement, the margin for error is extremely slim.

And looking at Davis' current predicament, he's got a real fight on his hands.

Marshon Lattimore - Commanders CB

There were some notable absentees from organized team activities. Terry McLaurin sat out as he awaited a lucrative new extension from the Washington Commanders. Laremy Tunsil was also a no-show, which could also be related to his current deal given there is no guaranteed money attached after the 2025 campaign.

Marshon Lattimore also opted to prepare away from the team. That was arguably the most contentious issue among the fanbase, especially considering the cornerback's indifferent contribution with mitigating circumstances attached last season.

The Commanders gave up a decent amount of capital to acquire Lattimore via trade from the New Orleans Saints before the 2024 deadline. This was seen as the shutdown coverage presence Washington lacked — someone who could make a considerable impression if the same trend continued. That didn't happen, thanks in no small part to a hamstring injury that never got back to 100 percent.

Lattimore was a shell of his old self. The Ohio State graduate never backed down from a challenge, but the hamstring issue made things complicated. Washington is giving him another shot to firmly establish himself once fully healthy, but no-showing OTAs just sends the wrong message.

The former first-round pick is experienced enough to hit the ground running when he turns up for Washington's mandatory minicamp. But make no mistake, the pressure is on to produce.

K.J. Osborn - Commanders WR

As previously mentioned, the competition for places is high in Washington's wide receiver room. The best players will go through to the squad. Previous achievements don't matter much. This is all about what they can do for the Commanders' chances in 2025 and potentially beyond.

Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Sr., Noah Brown, Jaylin Lane, and Luke McCaffrey will all make the squad. That leaves room for one more option if the Commanders take six wideouts into their Week 1 game against the New York Giants. Michael Gallup is in the driving seat currently, but there is a newfound unknown attached after spending a year away from the league due to retirement.

K.J. Osborn is another who'll fancy his chances of making the team. The Commanders scooped him off the waiver wire following an injury to Brown that required kidney surgery late in the 2024 campaign. He was an emergency option and didn't feature much at all. However, those in power want to see what he can offer with a full offseason to immerse himself in Kliff Kingsbury's schematic concepts.

Looking at how players like Samuel, Lane, and Gallup have excelled over early offseason workouts, Osborn's quest to make the team represents a significant challenge. Unless every chance is taken and some notable highlights emerge, he could be looking for alternative employment at some stage.

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