The Washington Commanders are about to put their rookie class through a first taste of NFL practices. Draft picks and undrafted hopefuls will be looking to impress right out of the gate at rookie minicamp, which can set the tone for things to come one way or another.
Adam Peters didn't have many selections at his disposal entering the 2025 NFL Draft. The Commanders were incredibly active in the trade market, acquiring cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the 2024 deadline, together with left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. this offseason. This was all part of the team's new aggressive mindset with their Super Bowl window open much sooner than expected, but it depleted their resources considerably.
Peters managed to get some good returns from his second draft class. The Commanders acquired several intriguing names from the undrafted pool to further strengthen the ranks. They will also be giving tryouts to a select few who they believe could have something to offer.
The stakes are higher for some more than others. With this in mind, here are five Commanders under pressure to stand out at the team's rookie minicamp.
Commanders under pressure to stand out at rookie minicamp
Car'lin Vigers - Commanders DB
The Washington Commanders have a crowded cornerback room with five legitimate starting options heading into the season. That makes it difficult for any fledgling hopeful from the college ranks to stake a claim. But as far as undrafted free agents go, Car'lin Vigers comes with more intrigue than most.
Vigers was an accomplished cornerback at Louisiana-Monroe. He was rarely targeted during his final college campaign, and his production versus the likes of Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond against Texas was immensely pleasing. This wasn't enough to hear his name called, but the Commanders want to get a closer look at the defensive back in the coming weeks.
While Vigers wouldn't be classed as the most explosive, he's disciplined and plays with a physical presence that's hard not to love. This could also see the Commanders potentially switch him to the safety position if he's willing, which represents the best chance to impose himself on the 53-man roster.
Any undrafted free agent is starting from the bottom up. Vigers' margin for error is razor-thin, but a strong early impression at minicamp, whether that be as a cornerback or safety, is going to put him in a much better position before linking up with Washington's veterans.
That's all Vigers can ask for at this stage of his development.
Gabe Taylor - S
Adam Peters harbors no sentiment towards his roster construction. However, it's hard for Washington Commanders fans not to hold a special emotional attachment to one prospect coming in for a tryout over rookie minicamp.
Gabe Taylor had several offers from around the league once the draft concluded. The defensive back resisted them all for a chance to follow in his late sibling's footsteps.
Gabe is the younger brother of Sean Taylor, who remains a Washington icon taken too soon. The hard-hitting safety was on track to become a potential Pro Football Hall of Famer before losing his life when a robbery went wrong. It was a tragic event that nobody associated with the organization at the time will ever forget. He's held in the highest regard to this day.
Nobody is expecting the former Rice star to be anything like his brother. Players like No. 21 don't come along every day. All Taylor can do is perform as he's capable of, take on coaching, and give it absolutely everything in pursuit of an extended stay over the summer.
Nothing is given where the Commanders are concerned anymore. Taylor needs to earn his spot just like everyone else. Fans will be rooting for him, and he should benefit greatly from the experience, whether things go his way or not.
Kain Medrano - Commanders LB
The Commanders' decision to draft Kain Medrano was met with some skepticism. Fans wanted Adam Peters to take one of the promising edge rushers still available at the time. The general manager resisted the urge, trusting his assessments and the glowing recommendations associated with the athletically gifted linebacker.
Medrano is a work in progress, but his physical attributes represent a decent foundation from which to build. He was among the best-performing linebackers at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing his explosive traits and fluidity to full effect.
The player also got a strong reference from linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., who spent time working with Medrano at UCLA. Just how the Commanders plan to utilize him as a rookie is anyone's guess, but it might have to be on special teams until problem areas of his game are rectified.
From a tackling standpoint, Medrano lacks conviction and is technically flawed. He's got the speed to make his way to the contact point quickly, but talking the correct angles can sometimes prove complicated. Getting professional coaching should help, but improvements must arrive almost immediately to avoid getting buried down the depth chart.
Medrano is a player to watch. Rookie minicamp is the first step on the road to silencing his doubters.
Jacoby Jones - Commanders WR
Much like the situation at cornerback, the Washington Commanders don't have many free spots in the wide receiver room for anyone looking to stake a claim.
Adam Peters spent considerable resources to improve the weapons around quarterback Jayden Daniels. That'll help enormously, but it doesn't leave much room for one of the incoming undrafted free agents to impose themselves without a meteoric rise to prominence.
That is the task awaiting Jacoby Jones, who was scooped up quickly by the Commanders once the draft concluded. He's got the size and large wingspan to make a difference, but his transfer from Ohio to UCF didn't quite go according to plan en route to securing 22 receptions for 327 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.
Jones isn't the quickest, running 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. His scores aside from that in Indianapolis were relatively pleasing, but this represents a journey into the unknown. It's a steep step-up in class for the wideout, who must catch the eye from the moment he steps onto the practice field.
The Commanders also signed Ja'Corey Brookes during the undrafted free-agent frenzy. He looks to have more promise, which only raises the urgency for Jones to make a mark.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
Considering Jacory Croskey-Merritt was taken at No. 245 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, there is a significant amount of hype surrounding the running back. Analysts and respected people around the league believe the Commanders could have a potential steal on their hands. That brings some pressure, but the coaching staff will coax him along gradually before increasing his responsibilities if everything goes well.
Croskey-Merritt's route to the NFL was an eventful one. His eligibility was revoked by the NCAA after just one game with the Arizona Wildcats in 2024. That left him on the outside looking in, plunging his draft stock in the process.
Adam Peters was eager to learn more. The Commanders spent considerable time with Croskey-Merritt during their pre-draft assessments. It seems like they were suitably impressed, and there could be an opening for the rookie to impact the running back rotation if he showcases enough in the coming months.
Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are all in the final year of their respective deals. All have questions to answer for differing reasons. That should provide Croskey-Merritt with enough motivation to ruffle some feathers at the very least.
Looking the part at Washington's rookie minicamp would be a positive first step.
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