The Commanders’ first unofficial depth chart didn’t hand out any real answers, but it did offer a few early clues about where Washington stands heading into Friday’s preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Dan Quinn wasn’t trying to oversell it. On Monday, he dismissed the usual preseason fuss around these lists with a line that fit the moment perfectly: "I would say the unofficial depth chart is like as valuable as preseason rankings," Quinn said.
Still, the first chart is worth a look, especially this time of year. And in Washington’s case, it pointed to a handful of spots that are worth watching as camp rolls on.
One of the most notable names near the top was Luke McCaffrey, who showed up as WR3. Quinn was asked about that placement and expanded on McCaffrey’s progress, noting the work he has put in and the way his game has grown.
"What I can comment on is the intentional work by Luke in a number of areas," Quinn said. "He really kinda came on as a knack as a kick returner last year.
So that kinda speaks to his competitive nature. He's improved releases off the line of scrimmage throughout techniques.
And so, just seeing him with more time on task and like year three at the position, it's easy to see his ascension going up."
Whether McCaffrey is truly locked into that No. 3 role is still up in the air. He had a strong second week of training camp, and he’s been playing with more edge, which usually comes with confidence.
He’s still relatively new to the position, having played wide receiver for only two years before entering the 2024 NFL Draft. His main competition for the job comes from Treylon Burks and rookie Antonio Williams.
Quarterback is another spot that still feels unsettled behind the starter. Sam Hartman is listed as QB3, but the race with Athan Kaliakmanis is not over.
When Washington drafted Kaliakmanis in the 2026 NFL Draft, plenty of people figured Hartman’s time with the team was probably nearing its end. That hasn’t happened yet.
Both quarterbacks have had solid moments in camp, and for now neither has clearly pulled away. The preseason should help sort it out, though Washington could ultimately keep only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and move one or even two to the practice squad.
At center, the chart suggests a battle that makes more sense as a temporary snapshot than a finished answer. Julian Good-Jones appeared there, but the reality is hard to miss: if healthy, Allegretti is the starter.
Good-Jones has only two NFL snaps to his name, so it’s tough to imagine Washington viewing him as the primary option with so much riding on Jayden Daniels’ season. That said, Good-Jones still may be the main backup, and the reps are also valuable for rookie Matt Gulbin.
There’s more clarity, and more intrigue, at safety. Jeremy Reaves is listed as the co-No. 1 at free safety with Quan Martin, and that’s not just a training camp feel-good story.
Reaves has put together a huge offseason and camp, continuing a remarkable climb from not making the initial 53-man roster in multiple seasons to becoming a key special teamer and now a legitimate candidate to start on defense. He has started at safety before because of injuries, and he now appears on track to open the year alongside Nick Cross.
Linebacker is another area where Washington’s depth chart hints at a strong camp performance from a familiar face. Frankie Luvu is in position to wear the green dot this season, and Sonny Styles and Leo Chenal are listed together at the other spot.
That setup says more about Luvu’s form than any concern over the other two. If Luvu looks like the player he was two years ago, that’s a major development for Washington.
And even with the chart’s labels, all three linebackers should see plenty of action this season.
In Other News...
Commanders May Have Found A Surprise Answer To Their Pass Rush
Washington has spent the offseason trying to add more teeth to a pass rush that needs more reliable pressure, bringing in edge rushers Odafe Oweh and KLavon Chaisson while also using the draft to add linebacker Sonny Styles. The broader idea is clear: the Commanders want more disruption off the edge and more help making life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks, and camp has already started to sort out who fits into that mix.
One rookie has begun to stand out in that competition, even while he is still getting comfortable in Daronte Jones defensive system. As he works through the playbook, he has shown enough in training camp to get noticed, giving Washington another possible answer at a spot where it can use all the help it can get. The command now is simple enough, even if the path there is not: keep building the rush, and let the young players keep forcing the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Add A Familiar D.C. Name To Their Linebacker Room
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To make room, Washington also moved on from guard Sala Aumavae-Laulu and safety Rob McDaniel. The roster shuffle is the kind of spring and summer churn that often reshapes the back end of a roster, especially for a team still sorting out the right mix of depth pieces before the competition picks up in earnest. [Read more 🡒]
Jake Moody Is Putting Washingtons Kicking Decision In Real Doubt
Washingtons kicking picture has taken on an unexpectedly unsettled feel in training camp, and Jake Moody is right in the middle of it. The Commanders brought him in to stabilize a spot that can flip games in a hurry, but his accuracy has slipped in his second and third NFL seasons, leaving the staff to watch every rep a little more closely than planned.
Moody is trying to reclaim the consistency that made him a safer bet earlier in his career, yet the urgency around the job keeps growing. With his future in Washington far from settled, every practice kick now carries a little extra weight, and the Commanders are getting a reminder that even one of the least glamorous positions on the roster can become one of the most scrutinized. [Read more 🡒]