Four Commanders players who helped their 53-man roster chances this preseason
The NFL preseason may be considered nothing more than exhibition for the gridiron stars we all know and love. For those buried deep on the depth chart, though, it's the most meaningful time of the year.
Every season, careers are made or broken based on who is able to earn a spot on the 53-man roster and who isn't. Here are four Commanders players who may be finding themselves on the right side of the dividing line thanks to strong preseason play.
QB Jake Fromm
The former Georgia standout might have to put his destiny as State Farm's next spokesperson on hold, because if his play during the preseason was any indication, he should be the Commanders third -- if not second -- string QB.
Fromm led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to help snap the Baltimore Ravens' 24-game preseason winning streak, and then was excellent in Saturday's win against the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 13-of-18 passes for 144 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
It's uncertain whether or not Washington will elect to keep three QBs, but even if not, there is a case to be made that Fromm has outperformed expected backup Jacoby Brissett. He should make the team.
WR Mitchell Tinsley
Wide receiver is always a prime position for undrafted players to make an impact during preseason due to the depth required on the roster. Tinsley, signed as an UDFA from Penn State, has been this year's revelation for the Commanders.
Tinsley completed the preseason as Washington's leading receiver, with six receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown. Behind roster locks Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown, there is room for at least one or two WRs on the 53-man team, and Tinsley should be one of them.
LB Khaleke Hudson
2020 fifth-round pick Khaleke Hudson has struggled to carve out a role with the Commanders throughout his first three seasons, and has even seen stints on the practice squad at times. This year, though, he should be fairly safely on the 53-man roster.
Hudson was Washington's highest-rated defensive player during the preseason, and has visibly made some high-impact plays. He not only should make the Commanders' team, but could be a prime candidate to be a breakout contributor in 2023.
DL Andre Jones, Jr.
Jones, a seventh-round rookie from Louisiana, hasn't gotten as much attention as the other names listed here -- in fact, some of his teammates are still working on getting to know who he is. But he has impressed throughout training camp and preseason, and looks like a solid bet to earn a roster spot.
“He’s a dynamic young man,” head coach Ron Rivera said of Jones, via Sam Fortier of The Washington Post.
Jones has helped his case with plays such as this one at the goal line against Baltimore. Much like teammate Kam Curl several years ago, Jones could end up proving to be a massive steal at the end of the draft.
More must-reads: