Commanders training camp heroes fans may have forgotten from years past

While the Terry McLaurin saga continues to dominate the Washington Commanders' headlines at training camp, there are also a few players buried on the depth chart who are making a name for themselves.

This year's biggest early revelation in that regard has been wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks. The undrafted free agent from Louisville has made the most of his opportunities with McLaurin unavailable, and finds himself suddenly in play to make Washington's 53-man roster.

Brooks' emergence brings back memories of some other Washington training camp legends. Some went on to do big things between September and December. Others became mere footnotes in the organization's history.

Let's reminisce.

Commanders training camp heroes fans may have forgotten from years past

Alfred Morris — 2012

Any list of Washington offseason legends has to start with the 2012 sixth-round running back from Florida Atlantic. Alfred Morris stunned the NFL by rushing for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns as a rookie en route to being named a second-team All-Pro.

Morris' journey began in training camp, where he managed to usurp veterans Roy Helu, Tim Hightower, and Evan Royster on the depth chart before solidifying his starting role with an impressive preseason.

Cam Sims — 2018

Cam Sims was an undrafted rookie in 2018, but this entry could probably apply to any of the five seasons he was with the organization. He was a perennial training camp and preseason darling, but generally struggled to find a consistent role once fall came around.

Sims' most productive season came in 2020, when he caught 32 passes for 477 receiving yards.

Jimmy Moreland — 2019

You just had to be there in the summer of 2019, because the Jimmy Moreland hype was real.

Teammates and coaches alike never missed an opportunity to talk up the seventh-round cornerback. Fans were penciling in the local James Madison product as the organization's latest diamond in the rough. It never quite turned out that way, but Moreland did see significant playing time for two seasons.

Brycen Tremayne — 2023

Another wide receiver who turned heads as an undrafted free agent was Brycen Tremayne, who was a training camp standout in 2023.

Unlike Sims, he never made it onto the 53-man roster, spending two seasons on Washington's practice squad before he was signed by the Carolina Panthers in February. This year might be Tremayne's last chance to prove he can make it in the NFL.

Tyler Owens — 2024

Most recently, it was Tyler Owens who shone as an offseason sensation in Washington. Last year, the undrafted safety from Texas Tech managed to play his way onto the initial roster, appearing in 12 regular-season games before an injury derailed his progress.

Owens has an opportunity to build off that success in Year 2, though it's hard to see him carving out much of a role unless injuries come into play.

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