Ja'Corey Brooks Brandon Vallance/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Commanders UDFA torches first day of camp like his career depends on it

Originally posted on Riggo's Rag | By Dean Jones | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 11:52 AM ET

Training camp represents the final chance for those on the fringes and unfancied rookies to stake a claim before the respective fates are sealed one way or another. And one Washington Commanders undrafted free agent was in no mood to wait around.

Terry McLaurin caused a stir by not showing up to training camp as pressure mounts on the organization to resolve his contract dispute. The Commanders placed him on the reserve/did not report list, which provided an opportunity for others lower down the wide receiver depth chart to flourish on Day 1.

Nobody capitalized more on this than Ja'Corey Brooks on the first day of camp, according to those in attendance. The former Louisville standout was given plenty of work with the first-string offense and took full advantage, blowing past Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore for an early touchdown from Jayden Daniels to catch the eye.

Ja'Corey Brooks was a clear standout on Day 1 of Commanders training camp

Brooks built on this momentum later in the session, finding the end zone over safety Ben Nikkel once again. This time, it was veteran backup Marcus Mariota with the sound distribution.

Ja’Corey Brooks made a nice inside slant move on Marshon Lattimore who slipped. Brooks scored in the red zone. He scored again going up against Ben Nikkel. #NFL #Raisehail
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) July 23, 2025

There is a long way to go and a lot of hard work ahead, but this represents the best possible start for Brooks. Places are at a premium in the receiver room, so getting an early foothold was crucial. It was mission accomplished on that front, which can hopefully provide the springboard to bigger and better things in the coming weeks.

The Commanders are giving Brooks every chance to surge into consideration. He was perhaps unfortunate not to hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft, but the $234,000 fully guaranteed he received on his undrafted rookie deal suggests those in power see some untapped potential that they can unleash.

Brooks is eager to repay this faith. He's got a nice blend of size, speed, and athleticism. Transferring to Louisville last season helped him regain the confidence he lost at Alabama. And he's not come into Washington just to make up the numbers.

The film will show Brooks' qualities, and he can be immensely proud of his first-day efforts. At the same time, reveling in his instant impact is simply not an option.

The stakes are too high for that, both for Brooks and the Commanders in 2025. Keeping the same mentality, building chemistry with Daniels and Mariota, and maximizing every opportunity presented remains the primary goal.

And if his positive trajectory continues, Brooks might just find himself on the 53-man roster when it's all said and done.