7 Commanders underdogs who could erupt into camp breakouts

Players and staff are entering their final period of extended rest before their bye weeks during the season. Training camps around the league begin later this month, and it's an especially important one for the Washington Commanders as they look to cement their status among the contenders moving forward.

For head coach Dan Quinn to achieve this feat, it must be a collective effort. Everyone who goes onto the roster must play their part. And if a few pleasant surprises emerge along the way, the better Washington's hopes of winning the Super Bowl will be.

Battles will be fierce with no quarter given over camp. It's intense, physical, and the urgency across the franchise is extremely high. They don't want to become a one-season wonder. They want to prove this once-proud organization is back. The only way to do that is by putting in the hard yards now.

Some will flounder with the spotlight glaring. Others will excel under pressure and be rewarded accordingly. And some previously unheralded players will step up to the plate to give those in power some tough decisions when the time comes.

With this in mind, here are seven Commanders who could erupt into camp breakouts this summer.

Commanders underdogs who could erupt into camp breakouts

Javontae Jean-Baptiste - Commanders DE/OLB

There are grave concerns about the Washington Commanders' lack of explosive pass-rushers heading into the new campaign. Adam Peters added a couple, but there was almost no urgency to rectify this flaw.

It's up to those he's placed so much faith in to reward Peters accordingly. Washington has enough spare cash to sign another accomplished free agent, but the general manager is giving the current options time to impress before taking drastic action.

The Commanders need someone, anyone, to make a bigger impact on proceedings. It's a long shot, but Javontae Jean-Baptiste might just be that guy if the necessary improvements are made.

Last year's seventh-round pick made the team and flashed promise when limited action came his way. A couple of trips to injured reserve didn't exactly enhance his early development, but all signs point to him being fully healthy now.

The former Notre Dame star is explosive with the quick-twitch movements to thrive once his pass-rushing arsenal increases. Jean-Baptiste is a little undersized, making him vulnerable against the run. That means a pass-rushing specialist role could be a bold yet attainable target for the second-year pro.

He might not be able to meet Washington's raised standards, but don't be surprised if Jean-Baptiste becomes more influential with a fast start at camp.

Nate Herbig - Commanders OL

Much has been made about the Washington Commanders' marquee additions along the offensive line. Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. could be a highly productive team on the edge if the rookie picks things up quickly. However, there is one underdog story on the interior that warrants consideration.

Missing the entire 2024 campaign was a body blow to Nate Herbig's chances of staking a strong claim with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both sides went their separate ways this offseason, but the Commanders seem confident that his health concerns are firmly in the rearview mirror.

Herbig has versatility and experience. These two critical elements are always coveted in the trenches. It's not costing the Commanders much to find out one way or another, but it's a boost to their offensive line depth at worst if he gets a better run of luck on the health front.

Kain Medrano - Commanders LB

Many fans scoffed at the Commanders turning down an edge rusher in favor of linebacker Kain Medrano. But those who count in their building believe his athletic attributes can be molded into something more.

Medrano has an already built connection with linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. from their time together at UCLA. He was one of the highest-testing linebacking prospects at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. The rookie is a little rough around the edges technically, but the ceiling is higher than you think if he puts everything together.

It'll take a while for Medrano to grow. He's a poor tackler overall, so that's got to be improved to stand any chance in the pros. However, learning from Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu could get him up to speed quicker than anticipated.

If it takes a little longer, expect Medrano to become a special-teams ace in Year 1 with the Commanders.

K.J. Osborn - Commanders WR

Washington's wide receiver room could become the hottest training camp battle of the summer for fans to monitor. Very few spots are legitimately available, and several possibilities could win them if they impress enough.

One of those is going completely under the radar. K.J. Osborn is being surpassed by the hype of others, but the Commanders must have seen something from his limited involvement last season to give him a second opportunity.

Osborn remains pretty far down the pecking order, but he's got something the likes of Jaylin Lane, Chris Moore, Ja'Corey Brooks, and Mike Strachan don't right now. That's proven NFL production when it counts.

There's a reason why the New England Patriots quickly snapped up Osborn in free agency last year. Things didn't fit for whatever reason, but his performances with the Minnesota Vikings could be useful in Washington if the former Auburn standout can get back to anything like this form.

Tyler Owens - Commanders S

The Washington Commanders got much more than they bargained for with Tyler Owens last offseason. An injury prevented the physically imposing safety from defensive involvement in 2024, but he'll harbor much greater ambitions this time around.

Owens enters his second year with the Commanders. He's got the added benefit of experience within the same schematic concepts. There's also an opening for an expanded role if everything goes according to plan.

Praise has been glowing for the likes of Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler of late. Quan Martin and Will Harris are the projected starters, which raises urgency for Owens to make a splash. It's something he accomplished last summer as an undrafted free agent rookie. Doing so again will be crucial.

Jeremy Chinn's departure leaves a gaping hole that must be filled. Owens has the athletic profile to step into the rotation, but the margin for error remains razor-thin.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB

There aren't many seventh-round picks with more hype around them than Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The running back isn't carrying himself like an unheralded draft selection. He's coming for an important role immediately and will stop at nothing to achieve this objective.

Croskey-Merrit is chomping at the bit to get involved. He's making up for some lost time after having his eligibility revoked by the NCAA in 2024. His draft stock plummeted as a result, but the Commanders are quietly confident they have a steal on their hands.

Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler will lead the charge once again. All bets are off aside from that, so Croskey-Merritt will fancy his chances of carving out a role for himself.

If he can keep up his exceptional start when things get more competitive at training camp and the preseason, Croskey-Merritt is a lock to make the team. It might even be enough for his share of carries right out of the gate.

Robert McDaniel - Commanders DB

Once seen as an unfancied player with little chance of cracking the roster, opinions are slowly changing around Robert McDaniel. The defensive back was among the most surprising contributors over early workouts, even seeing some work with the first-string defense along the way.

McDaniel has the size and versatility to be a surprise nobody sees coming. He can operate in the slot, as a box safety, and even in coverage on the backend. The physical build is a lot similar to Jeremy Chinn, whom the Commanders let walk in free agency for the Las Vegas Raiders, but expecting that production is unrealistic.

The former Jackson State standout has momentum to build upon. Much more is needed to secure a roster spot, but McDaniel has done enough for a legitimate shot.

A place on the practice squad seems more likely, but that's not to say McDaniel cannot force the issue with a strong summer.

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