7 Commanders players on shaky ground entering 2025 OTAs

Business is about to pick up for the Washington Commanders. Phase Three of their offseason program gets underway this week, which comes with organized team activities and mandatory minicamp before another short period of rest ahead of this summer's training camp.

The stakes are about to be raised, if they haven't been already. Big things are expected of the Commanders next season. They took the NFL by storm en route to the NFC Championship game in Year 1 under head coach Dan Quinn. The league took notice, giving them eight standalone games in 2025 to see if this positive trend continues.

Being the new league darling after fleeting success is one thing. Reaching even greater heights with a bigger target on your back is something else entirely.

Adam Peters has worked hard to improve the options available this offseason. The general manager was more aggressive with Washington's window for a Super Bowl firmly open. The pieces are in place, but urgency has been increased considerably for those looking to retain their spots or increase their influence.

With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players on shaky ground entering 2025 OTAs.

Commanders players on shaky ground entering 2025 OTAs

Dominique Hampton - Commanders LB/S

The Washington Commanders still don't know what they have in second-year pro Dominique Hampton. Last year's fifth-round selection did enough to make the 53-man roster, but he was a healthy scratch for the most part as a rookie.

Washington also opted to switch Hampton's position. After starring in college in the safety position, the Commanders thought his physical skills would be better suited to the defensive second level. This came with an adjustment period, so giving him enough time to grow away from the spotlight was the smart course of action.

It'll be interesting to see how Hampton performs throughout Washington's preparations for the new season. The Commanders will give him every chance to stake a larger claim with some additional experience under his belt. At the same time, hopefuls like Jordan Magee and rookie Kain Medrano will also be aiming to impose themselves behind the starting duo of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu.

This is exactly what Adam Peters wants. Competition for places typically brings better production from everybody. It separates the weak from the strong, and anyone failing to meet the required standards won't come along for the ride.

Hampton must prove he belongs all over again. Otherwise, a situation could emerge where he's on the practice squad or cast aside entirely.

Percy Butler - Commanders S

Adam Peters didn't do much to improve the team's safety options this offseason. One could even argue that the Washington Commanders downgraded the unit with the tweaks made.

Letting Jeremy Chinn walk was arguably the most contentious move Peters made in free agency. The explosive defensive back made a huge impression, but the general manager didn't think he was worth what the Las Vegas Raiders were offering. Will Harris was signed to fill the void. Whether he can do so effectively remains to be seen.

The Commanders didn't add to the backup options. That indicates faith in those currently available, but complacency cannot become an issue for Percy Butler entering the final year of his deal.

Butler is the core backup as things stand. That might not be the case for much longer if Tyler Owens makes the strides anticipated. There's also a chance Washington adds to the roster, which is dependent on how things shake out in the coming weeks.

Ben Sinnott - Commanders TE

The Commanders didn't need much from Ben Sinnott during his rookie campaign. Zach Ertz's renaissance when all hope seemed lost and John Bates' consistent blocking from the tight end position allowed Washington to bring the second-round pick along gradually. But in an ideal world, they'd like to get him more involved this time around.

Sinnott flashed promise as a blocker when called upon last season. He's athletic enough to become more impactful in the passing game, but the former Kansas State prospect needs to inspire confidence throughout Washington's preparations for the upcoming campaign.

Ertz and Bates were both brought back this offseason. That makes things difficult for Sinnott to establish himself, but displaying growth is the only way hopes will rise regarding his influence in 2025.

Even though Sinnott didn't see the field much last season, he'll have learned a significant amount from Ertz and Bates. Putting this to good use throughout OTAs and beyond is crucial.

Andrew Wylie - Commanders OL

Andrew Wylie didn't give up a sack last season according to statistics. The veteran right tackle improved slightly from his first season in Washington, but nowhere near enough to stop Adam Peters from finding an upgrade.

The Commanders spent the No. 29 pick on Josh Conerly Jr. He thrives on the blindside at Oregon, but Washington has Laremy Tunsil to fill that void. All signs point to the rookie switching over to the right-hand edge at the expense of Wylie, who'll compete for an interior role.

There is an opening at the right guard spot. Sam Cosmi tore his ACL during Washington's divisional-round triumph against the Detroit Lions. He's expected to miss a large part of the upcoming campaign, which represents a window of opportunity for Wylie to maintain his status as a starting option.

With Brandon Coleman, Nick Allegretti, and others also vying for involvement alongside starting center Tyler Biadasz, the margin for error is slim. If Wylie doesn't show enough, he could replace Cornelius Lucas as the team's new swing tackle in 2025.

Nick Allegretti - Commanders OL

Strengthening the offensive line was Adam Peters' biggest priority above all else this offseason. The Washington Commanders were found wanting in the trenches when it counted. That proved to be the major difference between Dan Quinn's squad and the Philadelphia Eagles, who bullied their way to a convincing Super Bowl triumph.

The Commanders were aggressive in pursuit of achieving this objective. Peters traded for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil. He also used the No. 29 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on Josh Conerly Jr., who's expected to shift into the right tackle slot. That involves some shuffling around for others, so urgency will be high across the board.

Nick Allegretti's status as the starting left guard is not assured by any stretch of the imagination. The Commanders could slot Brandon Coleman there, given his long-term promise. Sam Cosmi's injury might be the ex-Kansas City Chiefs star's saving grace, but he must perform well throughout the summer to cement his status.

Brian Robinson Jr. - Commanders RB

The Commanders gave Brian Robinson Jr. a supreme vote of confidence this offseason. Most fans were clamoring for a fresh injection of explosiveness in the running back room with one of Adam Peters' first draft selections. The general manager had another idea, waiting until the seventh round to take Jacory Croskey-Merritt instead.

While Croskey-Merritt brings more intrigue than most Day 3 picks, expecting him to accumulate significant carries immediately is unfair and unrealistic. That puts the onus squarely on Robinson to make the improvements needed in a contract year.

Robinson regressed last season. That came in for some unfair criticism, but the Commanders believe the former Alabama standout has more to give with the improvements made to the offensive line. And the backfield force isn't lacking incentive with a new deal up for grabs when the 2026 offseason arrives.

What comes next is down to Robinson. The Commanders placed a lot of faith in him. Failing to meet expectations is not an option.

Luke McCaffrey - Commanders WR

The Commanders made some useful additions to the wide receiver room this offseason. Adam Peters drafted Jaylin Lane at No. 128 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. They brought Michael Gallup out of retirement. Washington also sent a fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for Deebo Samuel Sr., so the competition for places is fierce.

This raises the stakes for Luke McCaffrey. Last year's third-round pick got plenty of reps last season without the targets to show for it. Fans were expecting a breakout at any moment. This came as a kick returner, not as a dependable presence on the wide receiver rotation.

This is a big offseason for McCaffrey. He'll likely get special-teams duties once again, although Lane also thrives in this area. If the required improvements don't arrive, the former Rice standout could be buried down the depth chart when push comes to shove.

Last season's experience should serve him well. But McCaffrey must hit the ground running this offseason to raise confidence in his future outlook.

More Commanders news and analysis