7 Commanders on the 53-man roster who might not last the entire 2024 season

The Washington Commanders roster looks unrecognizable from the one that stumbled over the finishing line with eight straight losses in 2023. New general manager Adam Peters was expected to make alterations. Nobody expected two-thirds of the roster to be fresh faces.

This could lead to some cohesion issues over the opening few weeks of the campaign despite plenty of positive signs throughout the summer. Dan Quinn and his staff will have their players prepared, but timing and defensive communication are elements to watch closely over the first three or four contests.

Peters' aggressive roster building set the tone for what's to come. The respected front-office leader has a plan in place and harbors no sentimental attachment to his decision-making process. If he feels like more departures and incoming are necessary, the former San Francisco 49ers executive won't blink.

With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players on the 53-man roster who might not last the entire campaign in 2024.

Commanders players on the 53-man roster who might not last the entire 2024 season

Byron Pringle - Commanders WR

The Washington Commanders opened up their wide receiver room slightly by trading Jahan Dotson to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles. This was a calculated risk by those in power, who decided to take the best offer rather than something less from a team they won't be facing twice a season.

Noah Brown was acquired to fill Dotson's spot. The wideout has a previous connection to Dan Quinn from their time together on the Dallas Cowboys and is a game-changing force when firing on all cylinders. Becoming more consistent rather than showcasing exceptional flashes is the big challenge. It might also take a little time for the player to get up to speed.

Once Brown can fully immerse himself into the rotation, someone will have to make way. The most likely candidate is Byron Pringle, who was a late arrival this offseason but flashed enough promise to earn his spot on the 53-man roster.

This might come down to who the Commanders value more as a kick returner between Jamison Crowder and Pringle. All hope is not lost, but it's a tricky situation with no margin for error.

Mykal Walker - Commanders LB

The Washington Commanders were dealt a blow throughout the preseason when rookie linebacker Jordan Magee's positive momentum came to an abrupt halt through injury. The first-year pro looked ready to assume a key rotational role behind Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, but this will have to wait a few weeks after his knee issue that required a small procedure.

This forced the Commanders into a change of plans. Magee's disappointment enabled Mykal Walker to go through onto the 53-man roster at the expense of special teams ace Anthony Pittman. He's a solid veteran with plenty of starting experience - something Washington needs until Magee is ready to get back involved.

Walker must impress quickly when called upon to ensure he sees out the entire campaign. The Commanders are far more invested in Magee, so they'll want to get him involved once the former Temple star gets the all-clear. There's also the presence of Nick Bellore on the practice squad, who's a tremendous special teams presence and was beloved in the Seattle Seahawks locker room before his departure.

These factors are all working against Walker. It would be a big shock if he made it through the entire 17-game slate in Washington.

Michael Deiter - Commanders OL

If there was one potential problem that could hold the Washington Commanders back in 2024, it's the offensive line. Nothing new to fans who've followed the team closely in recent years as previous head coach Ron Rivera inherited a highly productive unit and decimated it through poor personnel decisions.

Things look more promising this time around. Brandon Coleman, Nick Allegretti, and Tyler Biadasz are three new starters who should provide an upgrade. Andrew Wylie remains at right tackle with his future hanging in the balance. Sam Cosmi is the star right guard who could potentially secure a lucrative contract extension at some stage during the campaign.

Depth is an issue. Michael Deiter is slotted as the backup center behind Biadasz. However, his subpar efforts throughout the preseason didn't instill much confidence if he were to get reps in the starting lineup.

Deiter's progress will be monitored closely by the new regime, even in practice. If they don't like the way he's progressing and a better veteran option becomes available, Adam Peters has the ruthless conviction to make him surplus to requirements.

Marcus Mariota - Commanders QB

Marcus Mariota was acquired to be the veteran backup quarterback by the Washington Commanders this offseason. They had their sights set on a college prospect at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft - Jayden Daniels. Dan Quinn wanted a genuine competition between the two this offseason, but the winner was determined from a long way out.

Mariota had some trouble with injuries throughout camp. This didn't stop him from assuming his biggest responsibility, which is helping Daniels adjust and prepare to ensure he hits the ground running in Year 1 of his professional career.

The Commanders took three quarterbacks through onto their 53-man roster after Jeff Driskel impressed during the offseason. Undrafted free agent Sam Hartman is on the practice squad. If a quarterback-needy team sees Mariota as a potential trade option before the deadline, general manager Adam Peters could send him packing for more valuable draft compensation to assist his rebuilding project.

Having Mariota around is beneficial. He was a Heisman Trophy winner and a No. 2 pick just like Daniels. But once the former LSU standout finds his feet, Washington might become receptive to trade offers if there is sufficient interest.

Cade York - Commanders K

The Commanders' kicking complications became an ongoing concern throughout the summer. Brandon McManus' release meant those in power had to start from scratch. It was not ideal, but it eventually led them to a trade with the Cleveland Browns for Cade York.

Ramiz Ahmed got the first chance to impress but failed to deliver. Riley Patterson was claimed off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars but was inconsistent. Adam Peters wasn't going to wait for reinforcements after final cuts, identifying York as a primary option and sending a conditional seventh-round selection to the Browns to secure his services.

York's exceptional rookie debut against the Carolina Panthers was a high bar he couldn't match throughout the 2022 campaign. He didn't kick in a competitive setting at all last season and couldn't beat out Dustin Hopkins for the No. 1 job this time around.

The former fourth-round selection out of LSU began his time in Washington well, but this situation remains precarious until further notice. If York cannot keep up this impressive start when things matter more, Peters won't hesitate to cut the cord and go in a different direction.

Colson Yankoff - Commanders TE

Colson Yankoff's rise from undrafted free agent obscurity into a roster spot was one of the offseason's most heartwarming stories. Nobody held out much hope for the tight end in a crowded room before the Washington Commanders began their preparations for the 2024 campaign. He surged through the ranks and was preferred to the likes of Armani Rogers and Cole Turner when push came to shove.

Yankoff's ability to impact special teams thanks to maximum effort and surprising on-field awareness probably tipped the scales in his favor. The Commanders took through four tight ends, so it remains to be seen whether the same trend will continue throughout 2024 if injuries begin to impact other position groups.

Looking at the depth chart as it stands, Yankoff looks like a potentially expandable asset if Washington needs to solidify another area of the field. In this scenario, he'd be a certainty to make his way onto the practice squad at the expense of someone else.

Regardless of how things unfold for Yankoff in the coming months, he can look back at his efforts throughout the offseason with an enormous sense of pride. He's got his foot in the door, but establishing himself in a regular-season setting is a different matter entirely.

Jonathan Allen - Commanders DT

Jonathan Allen was the subject of intense trade speculation throughout the offseason. The veteran defensive tackle became more frustrated and disillusioned than ever during Ron Rivera's final season. Losing constantly was beyond tiresome for the player, who hinted that his future might lie away from the Commanders unless something changed.

Thankfully, it did. The Commanders implemented widespread alterations across the board. This went down extremely well with Allen, who looked rejuvenated and excited throughout the offseason as a result.

Adam Peters never had any intention of trading Allen despite interest from elsewhere. However, if Washington ends up going nowhere fast by the 2024 deadline, one couldn't completely rule out the possibility of a transaction coming to fruition.

Peters is planning with the long-term in mind. He's already disposed of several players who held prominent roles previously, including wide receiver Jahan Dotson. If the new front-office leader gets an acceptable offer for Allen if the Commanders start the campaign poorly, it's something to contemplate.

It's also something the former first-round pick out of Alabama would probably welcome if it meant landing on a team with a legitimate chance of winning a Super Bowl.

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