Projecting Commanders 2025 starters before the battles even begin

Players up and down the depth chart are about to embark on an important stage of preparations. The Washington Commanders are entering Phase 3 of their offseason workout program, which includes organized team activities and a mandatory minicamp before the pivotal training camp later this summer.

Dan Quinn and his staff will have a good lay of the land by now. Adam Peters worked hard to improve the roster this offseason, which raised competition for places. That should bring urgency and enhanced production in the coming months before Week 1 against the New York Giants rolls around.

Big things are expected of the Commanders next season. They are no longer the league's surprise package. They are a leading Super Bowl contender with eight standalone games in 2025. That's something this once-proud franchise hasn't experienced for decades, so matching their newfound limelight status is crucial.

Things will change between now and Washington's regular-season opener. Players will come to the fore. Others will wilt with the spotlight glaring. Either way, the Commanders will be in good shape.

Before then, we predicted the Commanders' starters for 2025 before the battles begin.

Projecting Commanders 2025 starters before the battles even begin

Commanders special teams

• Tress Way (P), Matt Gay (PK), Tyler Ott (LS), Jaylin Lane (KR), Luke McCaffrey (PR/KR)

There is a refreshing sense of calm around the Commanders' special teams unit this offseason. Legendary punter Tress Way is back for another campaign. The same goes for long-snapper Tyler Ott. It looked for a long time as if Zane Gonzalez would get a reprieve, but those in power changed plans quickly when an opportunity fell into their lap.

The Commanders disposed of Gonzalez after signing Matt Gay. They also gave him the most guaranteed money on a one-year kicker deal in NFL history, which speaks volumes to the confidence surrounding the veteran.

Things didn't go quite according to plan for Gay last season with the Indianapolis Colts. Even so, the Pro Bowler represents a major upgrade on Gonzalez if he can benefit from being part of a winning environment.

The kick return game also got an extra sense of explosiveness. Jaylin Lane has the speed and elusiveness to make a considerable impact. Luke McCaffrey's flashes as a kick returner last season leave reasons for encouragement. This should also allow the Commanders to take this responsibility away from Austin Ekeler, who suffered significant concussion issues during the previous campaign.

It's a pretty solid unit. With the likes of Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, Tyler Owens, and rookie Kain Medrano on the coverage team, the pieces are in place to progress.

Commanders offensive starters

• Quarterback: Jayden Daniels
• Running Back: Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler (3rd down)
• Wide Receiver: Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Sr., Noah Brown, Jaylin Lane
• Tight End: Zach Ertz, John Bates, Ben Sinnott (13 personnel)
• Offensive Line: Laremy Tunsil (LT), Brandon Coleman (LG), Tyler Biadasz (C), Andrew Wylie (RG), Josh Conerly Jr. (RT)

The Washington Commanders will go as far as quarterback Jayden Daniels takes them in 2025. He's the superstar franchise player who took the league by storm as a rookie. Adam Peters prioritized his supporting cast this offseason, which should alleviate any concerns regarding a sophomore slump.

Washington's running back room will be led by Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler as the primary duo. The Commanders believe a more productive offensive line can make things easier, but don't be surprised if seventh-round selection Jacory Croskey-Merritt makes his presence felt as the campaign progresses.

Terry McLaurin is the alpha in the wide receiver room. He's got a legitimate running mate for the first time in his career, with the Commanders sending a fifth-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers for versatile weapon Deebo Samuel Sr. It's a low-risk, high-reward pickup that could make a massive impact.

Noah Brown will provide the deep threat. The fourth wideout spot might go to rookie Jaylin Lane, although Michael Gallup and Luke McCaffrey should also fancy their chances of accumulating reps.

Peters opted to stand pat at the tight end spot, and rightfully so. Zach Ertz's career renaissance was more than deserving of another one-year commitment. John Bates' emergence as one of the league's most efficient blockers from the position also got rewarded handsomely.

Both will play important roles next season. However, the Commanders will also be anticipating a surge forward from Ben Sinnott in Year 2 of his professional career. If the former second-round pick can develop accordingly, this has the makings of a highly productive trio.

Strengthening the trenches was an important objective for Peters. Trading for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil represents a huge coup. The Commanders also spent the No. 29 pick on Josh Conerly Jr., who could be the Day 1 starter at right tackle with a smooth transition this summer.

Tyler Biadasz will start again at the center position. Things look less certain at the guard spots, which is thanks in no small part to the torn ACL suffered by Sam Cosmi in Washington's divisional-round triumph over the Detroit Lions.

The two spots will be allocated between three players. Brandon Coleman will start somewhere, possibly at the expense of Nick Allegretti at left guard. A chance is also taken on Andrew Wylie as Cosmi's replacement until the right guard is ready to return.

This is a pretty strong starting offense. If everyone gets a clear run of luck on the health front, it's all systems go.

Commanders defensive starters

• Defensive Line: Dorance Armstrong Jr. (DE), Daron Payne (DT), Javon Kinlaw (DT), Deatrich Wise Jr. (DE), Johnny Newton (3-Tech)
• Linebackers: Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jacob Martin (3rd down), Jordan Magee (4-3 formation)
• Cornerbacks: Marshon Lattimore, Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil (Nickel), Jonathan Jones
• Safeties: Quan Martin, Will Harris

If there was one potential problem that could hold the Washington Commanders back from a deep playoff run next season, it's their pass rush. Fans are convinced Joe Whitt Jr.'s unit doesn't have enough. Adam Peters holds a different opinion, and the general manager earned enough credit for the team's support to trust his judgment.

Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Deatrich Wise Jr. could be the defensive end tandem in Week 1. Both are solid if not spectacular, so it'll be interesting to see how the pair get on when competitive action commences.

The Commanders released Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen this offseason. They felt the financial commitment no longer matched the production, which could also apply to Daron Payne next spring if he doesn't improve as the team's No. 1 interior option in the trenches.

There's pressure on free-agent signing Javon Kinlaw to meet his lofty price tag, which most perceive as a massive overpay. Johnny Newton will also form a considerable part of the rotation, perhaps in a more typical 3-technique role in pass-rushing situations.

Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are the beating heart of Washington's defense at the second level. Both were an absolute revelation during their first seasons with the Commanders. Everyone is expecting the same again, although hopes are growing that Jordan Magee can also become more influential when Whitt adopts a more traditional 4-3 base scheme. Jacob Martin is the versatile pass-rusher tasked with replacing Dante Fowler Jr.

The cornerback unit looks like an area of real strength if everything goes according to the script. Marshon Lattimore is projected to bounce back with a full offseason to get healthy and become more familiar with the schematic concepts. The Commanders believe they have a steal in Trey Amos. Those in power could start the No. 61 overall pick on the opposite boundary, leaving potential superstar Mike Sainristil free to occupy more responsibilities in the nickel.

If the Commanders go with a dime defense at any stage, preference would be for two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones over Noah Igbinoghene, although both should play an important part.

Letting Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency was a calculated risk by the Commanders. Free-agent signing Will Harris must hit the ground running to fill the void left by the Southern Illinois product. Quan Martin is the top dog and should excel further after an extremely promising campaign last time around.

There are grave concerns surrounding the ability to generate pressure consistently. But aside from that, the Commanders' defense could improve enough to make things more balanced throughout the 2025 season.

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