We're a week away from the Washington Commanders reporting to Ashburn, Virginia, for training camp, and it's time we got to know the roster a little better.
The Commanders outperformed expectations in the first year with general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn at the helm. Jayden Daniels put together one of the most electrifying rookie seasons in NFL history, and the team was one game away from appearing in the Super Bowl.
Now, with more primetime games on the horizon and a much higher standard to reach, the Commanders must prepare for an encore performance. Like last year, that work will begin in training camp, and Commanders.com will look at every position ahead of the first practice day on July 23. Next up are the cornerbacks.
On the roster
- Fentrell Cypress II
- Allan George
- Noah Igbinoghene
- Jonathan Jones
- Marshon Lattimore
- Bobby Price
- Mike Sainristil
- Kevon Seymour
- Car'lin Vigers
- Trey Amos
What to watch
- Can Marshon Lattimore get back to being dominant? Lattimore, who the Commanders acquired from the New Orleans Saints at last year's trade deadline, played in just two regular-season games for Washington and had up-and-down outings in the playoffs. Part of that was because of the hamstring issue, but Lattimore also had to learn Washington's defensive scheme in the middle of the season, when it was in the thick of a playoff run, and find a way to contribute. The Commanders are banking on Lattimore to get back to his old form. They could use the type of player he was in the past, when he went to the Pro Bowl on a consistent basis. If they can get that from him, it would drastically help a secondary that did finish well in average yards allowed per game but also lacked depth and struggled against top-tier talent.
- Will Mike Sainristil move back inside? With Amos on the team, there were questions about what the Commanders would do with Sainristil, who emerged last season as one of the team's best defensive players. They could move him back to being a nickel corner -- the role he was drafted to have in 2024 -- but he was also so good on the outside that it wasn't unrealistic to think they would simply keep him there. For now, it appears that the former will be the case, as he was lined up at nickel during OTAs and minicamp. That could change, depending on how camp shakes out. The Commanders like versatility in the defensive backfield, and Sainristil has shown he can handle both roles. Perhaps Sainristil's position will be on a case-by-case basis, lining up in whatever position fits him and the defense best. Either way, Sainristil has proven he can handle himself, and having him back in the starting lineup should help alleviate some of Washington's issues in the passing game.
- Will Trey Amos become the second starting outside cornerback? Amos certainly looks the part of an NFL cornerback with the track record to back it up. He used his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame to lead his team with 13 pass breakups and earn a First Team All-SEC selection. He also has a history of preventing explosive plays, as he has allowed a sub-19% completion rate on throws traveling at least 20 air yards, according to Pro Football Focus. Amos' coaches and teammates were happy to answer his questions. He said he wants to "be a good team player and help the growth," and his teammates know that he'll be more useful if they satisfy his hunger for knowledge. But they have also noticed that he can hold his own without their help, too.
