The Washington Commanders are now past the halfway mark of training camp. Technically, the Commanders have less than two weeks until roster cutdowns, but there are only a few more practices, not including the preseason games, for the players to make their cases to be part of the initial 53.

Friday's practice was another padded one for the Commanders. Let's go through some of the highlights.

-- Ja'Corey Brooks, one of the wide receivers looking to earn the last spot in the position group, had a pair of impressive catches in team drills. The first was a completion deep downfield on a dart from Jayden Daniels, while the second was a contested grab near the end of practice. With five receiver spots essentially locked up, Brooks and the rest of the wideouts are looking for ways to stand out. It might come down to who can prove they provide the most value on special teams. If Brooks can show special teams coordinator Larry Izzo that he can provide more value than his competition, perhaps he can claim that sixth spot for his own.

-- It's been said quite a bit by now, but Daniels truly has a unique connection with tight end Zach Ertz. Daniels completed two passes during the final period of practice, and both were caught by Ertz on crossing routes. Ertz still knows how to use his leverage to get open downfield, which was a key to the offense's success last season. He doesn't appear to be slowing down.

-- Screens were a heavy emphasis for the Commanders' offense today, and they looked efficient running them at different parts of the field. Deebo Samuel was often on the receiving end of those screen passes, and the wideout clearly has a good feel for how to weave through blockers for yards after the catch.

-- Rookie Jaylin Lane is another receiver who had a strong day for the offense. In addition to his speed and versatility, Lane was drafted because of his route running and how he is able to create separation at the line of scrimmage. Lane did a good job of that working against Ben Nikkel, using his leverage to get open on a crossing route.

-- The running back group is another position with some interesting decisions to be made during final roster cuts. It seems like Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are locks, but how many the Commanders will keep -- as well as who those players will be -- is still undetermined. What makes it more difficult is that each player has had solid moments in camp, and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said he thinks they all have a place in the league.

"They all have dynamic traits, all have things they do really well and guys when they had their opportunity have played at a high level, especially last year when C-Rod [RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.] got his chance. J-Mac [RB Jeremy McNichols] -- Kaz [RB Kazmeir Allen] has shown some good stuff. Obviously, everybody's talked about Bill [RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt]. So, it's a deep group and we just gotta see how it shakes out."

-- There are several reasons why Daniels has become one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, and one of them has been his attention to detail in recalling plays. Kingsbury said he wishes he could take credit for it, but that trait is "God-given."

"We'll go out to walkthroughs, and I'll screw up a play and he'll nail it. So, he's a lot more cerebral on that stuff than I am. I think he just has one of those photographic memories the first time we install it, first time we say it, he can tell you where everybody's going, what they're doing, their job, and so that's a God-given thing, not a coaching thing."

-- Although there are questions for the Commanders to answer on both sides of the ball, the majority of them come from the defense with all their additions to the defensive line and secondary. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has been impressed with what he has seen from the group so far, but he wants to see the improvements the unit has made in practice translate to the game field.

"I've been pleased with the way we're rushing, playing the run, covering really well on the back end. And so, the collective group has been growing together, getting to know each other with the new additions. So, it's been good, now it has to translate to game day."

-- Jeremy Reaves is known mostly as being a special teams player, but Whitt said the veteran safety "just keeps making plays" on defense. Whitt called Reaves "a special teams ace," which can make it difficult to give him a full-time defensive role. With that said, if he keeps standing out, Whitt will have no choice but to get him on the field.

"We're going to find plays for him on defense, and he's earned that. He's always around the ball, his physicality is unmatched. And so, I've been very pleased with what he's done this camp."