The Washington Commanders’ decision to waive Kaytron Allen did more than clear a spot for Jeremy McNichols. It added another layer to the unease around general manager Adam Peters and the way he has handled the draft.
Allen, a sixth-round rookie, is expected to be a practice squad candidate, but the move still landed awkwardly with fans. It also fed a bigger question that has followed Peters as Washington’s front-office leader: how much confidence should anyone have in this draft record?
The Commanders are 5-16 since their run to the NFC Championship game in 2024, and while injuries and coaching have played their part, Peters has not escaped blame. He inherited a roster in rough shape from Ron Rivera, built on poor drafting and too few foundation pieces. But three draft classes in, the results under Peters remain uneven enough to invite skepticism.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels, offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., and linebacker Sonny Styles are the headliners, and all three were first-round selections. Beyond that, the picture gets murkier fast.
Allen’s situation stands out because of what it says about development. He didn’t get much of a chance to carve out a role, and Washington moved on before he had time to grow into one. That’s not the kind of patience teams usually show when they believe in a player’s long-term value.
McNichols brings special-teams value, and the Commanders clearly chose experience as pressure mounts. That may make sense in the short term, but it leaves Allen’s place in the organization looking shaky, whether or not he lands back on the practice squad.
And that’s where the criticism of Peters sharpens. If the Commanders weren’t prepared to let Allen develop, then the obvious follow-up is simple: why draft him at all?
The wider draft ledger hasn’t helped Peters’ case. His 2024 class has plenty of questions outside of Daniels, and his Day 2 selections have drawn the harshest reviews, with Jordan Magee and Javontae Jean-Baptiste stuck on the fringes.
The 2025 group looks more promising in spots - Conerly has the look of a Year 2 starter, Trey Amos could become a productive cornerback if he stays healthy, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a seventh-round bargain despite a disappointing start to his second season. Jaylin Lane and Kain Medrano, though, have not given the same kind of optimism.
The 2026 class is too fresh to judge, but Styles already looks like a superstar. Even so, Allen’s quick exit underscores how fast Washington is willing to make decisions on players it no longer sees as part of the answer.
That’s also tied to the current running back mix. Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, McNichols, and Austin Ekeler give the Commanders a decent group on paper, and the team believes it can manage without Allen. His release also came at a time when other teams may find it harder to open a roster spot for him.
Allen could still find his way onto another practice squad if the right opportunity comes along. But for Washington, the move does nothing to calm the doubts around Peters’ ability to identify the right players in the college ranks.
And if he gets another chance in 2027, he’ll have to get it right.
In Other News...
Sonny Styles Is Giving Commanders Fans Bragging Rights In This Rivalry
Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese were linked long before they landed in the NFC East, back when the former Ohio State linebackers were patrolling the same college defense and building reputations as two of the most promising defenders in the 2024 NFL Draft. Washington and the Giants each made an early bet on that upside, and through the first month of their rookie seasons, both players have done plenty to justify the investment with strong starts and comparable production.
For Commanders fans, the matchup on October 11, 2025 already has a little extra juice because Styles gives Washington an early edge in a rivalry that could grow more interesting over time. Reese has been every bit the kind of first-year defender New York hoped for, which only raises the stakes the first time these two former Buckeyes line up against each other as division opponents. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face A Big Week 5 Chance They Cannot Waste
A pivotal divisional test is waiting in Week 5, with Washington set to host the Giants in a game that already feels bigger than an early October date should. The Commanders have seen the betting market tilt their way, now laying 3.5 points, and the matchup sets up as one where they can keep building momentum if the offense plays to its ceiling.
Jayden Daniels is poised to be part of that push, which matters given how much Washingtons attack can change when he is available. The total has also nudged downward to 43.5, but the ingredients still point to a game with enough scoring potential to matter in the NFC East race, especially if Washington can make the most of a home opportunity it really should not let slip away. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have One Big Malik Nabers Concern Heading Into Sunday
Matt Nagy said the Giants are trying to manage one of the more familiar problems in modern NFL offenses: a star receiver who wants the ball as often as possible. He likened Malik Nabers desire for more targets to what he once saw with Travis Kelce in Kansas City, and said part of the job is understanding a players emotions while still keeping the offense moving. Nagy also said he had a positive conversation with Nabers about finding ways to get him more involved.
For Washington, the bigger concern is less about the conversation than Nabers availability and usage on Sunday. The rookie wideout was dealing with a sore knee during midweek practices, and while he was expected to suit up against the Commanders, his workload remained an open question. If hes out there, Washington still has to account for a talent the Giants clearly want to feed. [Read more 🡒]