5 Commanders starters who could be ousted by rookies in 2025

Adam Peters was eager to raise the stakes within the Washington Commanders this offseason. After Year 1, the project might be further ahead than anyone anticipated, but maintaining urgency and avoiding complacency became the biggest objective in Year 2.

This is done through recruitment. Strengthening every position group by raising competition for places was the primary goal. Peters did an incredible job with the resources available. Now, it's a case of having the best man win when preparations for the upcoming campaign gather pace.

That's how you keep things pushing in the right direction. That's how you ensure every player, whether it's the franchise quarterback or someone fighting for their job on the roster bubble, is focused on the task at hand. Veterans will be clinging to their respective spots, while Washington's 2025 NFL Draft class and undrafted free agents will look to impose themselves immediately.

With this in mind, here are five Commanders starters who could be ousted by rookies at some stage during the 2025 campaign.

Commanders starters who could be ousted by rookies in 2025

Nick Bellore - Commanders LB

Nick Bellore is not a starter on the defensive rotation. However, the veteran linebacker is one of the most important parts of Washington's special teams strategy.

For now, at least.

Bellore signed a new two-year deal this offseason despite his advancing age. He'll be 36 years old soon with 14 seasons under his belt. His special teams production last season was impressive enough to suggest there is some good football left, but the Commanders were right to form contingency plans in case the same standards aren't met.

Kain Medrano was the Commanders' sixth-round pick at No. 205 overall. The former UCLA star is supremely athletic, boasting some of the best testing numbers for participating linebackers at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's a work in progress technically, especially from a tackling standpoint, but the raw physical gifts make him a potential special-teams ace immediately.

That's the best-case scenario for the Commanders until Medrano works on the problem areas of his game. Bellore will have a pivotal role to play regardless of whether the rookie shines right out of the gate or not. Still, he might not be the top dog for much longer as Washington attempts to go younger.

Bellore is professional enough to be a strong support system to Medrano if he's given significant special-teams duties. He knows this is the future, and he's firmly in the twilight of his professional career.

Brian Robinson Jr. - Commanders RB

There weren't many Washington Commanders fans who thought Adam Peters would ignore the running back position during the 2025 NFL Draft. However, it looked like that might be the case after other prospects were preferred early in the process.

Peters saved his final pick to bolster the running back spot. Jacory Croskey-Merritt was the pick at No. 245 overall, which brings significant intrigue after the player's interesting route to the league.

Croskey-Merritt's transfer to Arizona lasted one game before the NCAA revoked his eligibility. This was extremely harsh, but the Commanders believed there was something to work with after spending considerable time with the player during their thorough pre-draft assessments.

Nothing is guaranteed for seventh-round selections. Croskey-Merritt needs to start well and catch the eye enough to work his way up the depth chart. Brian Robinson Jr., the team's current No. 1 backfield threat, must ensure he's kept at arm's length.

Robinson flashed promise early in the season before his production tailed off. The wear and tear of a grueling campaign took its toll, and the offensive line's run-blocking regression didn't help either. The Commanders are giving him another shot, but Croskey-Merritt's arrival gives them a solid fallback option if the Alabama graduate struggles to generate momentum in the final year of his deal.

Andrew Wylie - Commanders OL

According to ESPN's depth chart, Andrew Wylie remains lodged as the starting right tackle entering offseason workouts. That might not be the case for much longer.

The Commanders went with a surprising pick at No. 29 overall when offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. fell into their laps. Adam Peters wasn't entirely convinced he'd be available, so he wasn't going to waste the opportunity to enhance the protection in front of star quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Conerly needs to add some play strength, but he's technically sound with exceptional footwork. He could form a bookend tackle tandem with Laremy Tunsil immediately with a smooth transition this summer. That will mean someone is on the outside looking in.

There is a spot open on the offensive line until stud right guard Sam Cosmi returns from a torn ACL. Brandon Coleman will get a shot to secure the role if Washington retains Nick Allegretti at the left guard position. That could see Wylie move to the swing tackle role previously occupied by Cornelius Lucas before he departed for the Cleveland Browns in free agency.

It's arguably the most interesting (and important) dynamic to watch as preparations unfold. Tunsil and center Tyler Biadasz are the only two locks to start right now. Conerly could cement his spot quickly, leaving Allegretti, Wylie, and Coleman to fight it out for the two guard positions.

Noah Brown - Commanders WR

The Washington Commanders prioritized the supporting cast around quarterback Jayden Daniels this offseason, and rightfully so. Adam Peters knows how important maximizing his rookie contract is before things get more complicated (and expensive) to keep him around. Striking while the iron is hot was the only realistic path.

That didn't stop during the draft. The Commanders picked up another useful addition to the wideout unit with Jaylin Lane at No. 128 overall. He was a victim of circumstance after being schemed relatively ineffectively at Virginia Tech last season, which means Washington could have a potential steal on their hands.

Lane has the speed to go downfield and is an electrifying threat with the football in his hands. He's not coming to make up the numbers. The gifted pass-catcher wants to establish himself immediately en route to prominent rookie involvement. That much is abundantly clear.

That increases the pressure on everyone. Luke McCaffrey and Michael Gallup might be impacted. Noah Brown is another who'll need to hit the ground running when the tempo increases in the not-too-distant future.

Brown is bigger, more experienced, and adept at accumulating defensive pass interference penalties with a wide wingspan and sound body control. He'll have a role to play, but don't be surprised if Lane eats into his targets.

Marshon Lattimore - Commanders CB

Adam Peters' bombshell trade activity began before the 2024 deadline with the acquisition of four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore. This was a real statement that announced the Commanders as a force once again. Unfortunately, the acquisition didn't reap immediate rewards, albeit with mitigating circumstances attached.

Lattimore came into Washington with a hamstring injury that hindered him throughout the campaign. There were signs of the old shutdown threat at times, but the former Ohio State standout never looked comfortable. The fact that Washington had to move him off the likes of Mike Evans and A.J. Brown during the postseason spoke volumes.

Peters threw his support behind Lattimore this offseason. The Commanders are confident he can benefit from a prolonged recovery and a full preparation period with the squad. If not, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has another physical boundary presence after Washington drafted Trey Amos at No. 61 overall.

Lattimore and Amos could start opposite each other, with Mike Sainristil switching back into the nickel. That's the best-case scenario for Washington, but the team's cornerback options are flexible enough to move around depending on injuries or poor performance.

The pressure is on Lattimore to remind the world why he was considered among the league's best once upon of time. Anything less comes with grave consequences attached.

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