We are officially ready to go for Week 1, as the Washington Commanders have finished rounding out the initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season. It's important to remember rookie linebacker Jordan Magee was placed on short-term IR with a designation to return, which means he'll have to sit out the first four games of the season, at minimum. Defensive end Efe Obada is starting the season on PUP, so he'll miss the first four games, at minimum, as well.
Both players are on the team, but won't count against the 53-man limit until they are cleared/activated. Defensive linemen Norell Pollard and Taylor Stallworth are both on IR, as well, and it's currently unclear if one of them was given the second short-term designation or if both are out for the year. Either way, neither count against the 53-man limit.
**Please note that single asterisks (*) represent rookies and double asterisks (**) represent rookie undrafted free agents.** Washington Commanders' initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season Quarterback (3): Jayden Daniels*, Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel Running back (3): Austin Ekeler, Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols Wide receiver (6): Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey*, Olamide Zaccheaus, Jamison Crowder, Byron Pringle Tight end (4): Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott*, John Bates, Colson Yankoff** Offensive line (9): Cornelius Lucas, Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie, Brandon Coleman*, Chris Paul, Michael Deiter, Trent Scott Defensive line (9): Dorance Armstrong, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Clelin Ferrell, Jer'Zhan Newton*, Jamin Davis, John Ridgeway III, Phidarian Mathis, Javonte Jean-Baptiste* Linebacker (5): Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner, Mykal Walker, Dominque Hampton*, Dante Fowler Jr. Cornerback (5): Benjamin St-Juste, Michael Davis, Emmanuel Forbes, Mike Sainristil*, Noah Igbinoghene Safety (6): Darius Rush, Jeremy Chinn, Darrick Forrest, Percy Butler, Tyler Owens**, Jeremy Reaves Special teams (3): Cade York (K), Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott (LS) The quarterback position has been settled since the first preseason game, when Daniels completed a beautiful 42-yard pass to Dyami Brown deep down the right sideline.
From that moment on, it was clear Daniels was in control. When considering Mariota's health status is interesting to note the fact the Commanders are taking two quarterbacks into the season. They must feel pretty good about where things stand.
It was a bit surprising to see Michael Wiley get cut, but McNichols is a veteran and he can catch, plus he's OK in pass protection. That usually seals the deal for running back depth. The receiver room is going to be something to monitor throughout the year and it won't be surprising if the Commanders add someone who was cut, maybe like a Noah Brown-type player.
They're not going to go out and find a Pro Bowl player, but they could certainly find a contributor who can help Daniels and the passing attack. It's cool to see Yankoff make the team. How he's used, even if it's sparingly, will be interesting to monitor throughout the year.
He's played multiple positions throughout his life and that, along with Sinnott's versatility reflects nice complements to Ertz's game. The offensive line all makes sense it's a rather versatile group. It's a big question mark, overall, coming into 2024, though, and it will go a long way in determining how good the offense is as a whole.
On the flip side, the defensive line is encouraging. There's obviously Allen and Payne in the middle, who should free up opportunities for the outside guys. There isn't a dominant pass rusher on the outside, so the hope is Allen and Payne can help offset that.
Johnny Newton didn't start the year on IR, which is a great sign for his Week 1 status. Hampton's move to linebacker looks permanent and the rest of the group makes sense, as Magee starts the year on short-term IR. The cornerback group is another one that could see some change over the next couple of days, depending on who the Commanders are interested in.
It's largely unsettled, outside Mike Sainristil. The safety room, on the other hand, has been pretty defined since Day 1 and Tyler Owens' emergence. And lastly, the Commanders appear to finally have found an answer at kicker after the York trade.
We'll see, though. Final Word We've known this from the start, but the Commanders' initial 53-man roster is the last piece of obvious proof that a whole new era has begun in Washington. Now, whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but this regime is doing things its way and that's usually how winning franchises are built, when done correctly.
This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission..
