The Washington Commanders’ rookie class has spent months inside the building, and that matters now more than the draft-night buzz. These players have already been through the organization’s culture, the strength and conditioning work, and the offensive and defensive systems they’ll be asked to run when the season opens Sept. 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
That early immersion has given a clearer sense of where this group stands than any pre-draft profile ever could. The picture is still unfinished, of course - that changes once real regular-season snaps arrive - but there’s enough evidence now to start sorting out what these rookies can actually provide in 2026.
Sonny Styles has been one of the easiest names to overthink, and there’s no real reason for it. On-site reporters have generally praised what he’s done in camp, even while noting the rough edges.
The preseason tape got a heavier beating, but 29 snaps is a tiny slice of a rookie linebacker’s reality. He looked hesitant at times, sure.
He didn’t look like Chris Hanburger or London Fletcher, either. That was never the standard.
Styles is going to be fine. Frankie Luvu can handle some of the pre-snap load, and coordinator Daronte Jones will keep adding to Styles’ plate when it makes sense.
He has the work ethic, the athleticism and the want-to. He’s learning, he’s growing, and he’s going to be a playmaker as a rookie.
Book it.
At receiver, Antonio Williams has steadily built his case. The third-round pick from Clemson came on strong late in camp, with observers pointing to cleaner technique and the kind of separation skills that stand out for a rookie. Given the depth in the room, the expectation is that Williams opens as the No. 3 option, either in the slot or outside, right around the regular season opener.
That is a lot to ask from a Day 2 receiver in a league where the transition can be brutal. Still, Williams has earned trust from the staff.
A Terry McLaurin-style rookie explosion - McLaurin went 58-919-7 - would be a tough ask with the talent already in Washington’s receiver group, but a meaningful impact is very much in play. If the early usage isn’t huge, that’s not a reason to panic.
The Commanders have enough depth to let him develop on their timeline.
Joshua Josephs has flashed enough to keep people interested. The fifth-round edge rusher from Tennessee showed up in camp and the preseason, including that all-effort fumble recovery against Detroit. He also got a chunk of first-team reps with Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson sidelined, which should pay off down the road.
He’s still very much a work in progress, though. As Jamual Forrest pointed out, Josephs has to stay disciplined if he wants to stay on the field - including after that long read-option touchdown allowed against Detroit.
For now, he fits into an edge rotation behind Oweh, Chaisson and Dorance Armstrong once Chaisson returns from a one-game suspension. That setup is exactly what you want for a promising Day 3 pick: a real role, but not the burden of carrying the load.
Kaytron Allen arrived with plenty of fan excitement, and some of that was understandable. The Penn State rushing record helped.
So did the “Fatman” nickname appeal. But the rookie back’s role may be modest at first.
Bill Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White are expected to handle most of the carries, and Jeremy McNichols will have an offensive role when he comes off IR.
That doesn’t mean Allen has no path. It just means the expectations need to stay grounded. Late-round backs can break through as rookies, but Washington may not need that from him unless injuries change the picture.
Matt Gulbin’s job is more immediate. As of Friday afternoon, Sept. 4, the Michigan State product is Nick Allegretti’s top backup at center, and Allegretti’s calf issues this summer have made that a meaningful spot. The Commanders passed on adding a veteran backup, so unless that changes soon, Gulbin appears set to open the season in that role.
There’s been plenty of praise for Gulbin inside the organization, but center is a demanding position, and asking him to handle full-time duty right now would be a lot. For the moment, center looks like his spot more than guard does, so the priority is continued growth. In the ideal scenario, Allegretti stays healthy and plays every regular-season snap.
Then there’s Athan Kaliakmanis, who turned a strong camp and preseason into a spot on the 53-man roster. The seventh-round pick from Rutgers was imperfect, but he showed arm talent and a willingness to challenge defenses downfield.
That makes this a longer play. Kaliakmanis is spending the season auditioning for the chance to back up Jayden Daniels after Marcus Mariota leaves Washington.
In Other News...
Commanders Face One Big Week 1 Problem Before Brutal Start
The early stretch of Washingtons 2026 schedule leaves little room for easing in, and the Commanders are already dealing with a familiar kind of September concern: availability. They open on the road against Philadelphia and Dallas, and the injury list has already taken a bite out of both lines, with star left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Johnny Newton sidelined for now.
There is some good news in the recent return of several key players to practice, including Daron Payne, Marcus Mariota, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and KLavon Chaisson. Odafe Oweh is also working back from a calf injury and is expected to be close to full practice soon, which gives Washington at least some hope that the defense can get healthier before the opener. What matters next is whether that progress comes fast enough to steady a team facing one of the leagues toughest starts right out of the gate. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Kicking Battle Just Brought A Tough Roster Decision
The Commanders kicking competition ended with a notable shake-up in camp, as undrafted rookie Drew Stevens won the job and pushed incumbent Jake Moody off the roster. It is the sort of decision teams hope to avoid late in the summer, but Washington clearly decided the rookie had earned the chance, giving Stevens one of the 32 NFL roster spots available to kickers.
Moody has since landed on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, while Stevens is left to savor a path that once began as a preferred walk-on in college. For a young specialist, making an NFL roster is a hard climb under any circumstances, and Stevens described the moment as a chance he is grateful to have, even as the real test of his NFL future is only beginning. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Already Face A Week 1 Overreaction Nobody Needed
With Week 1 still ahead of them, the Commanders are already getting hit with the kind of sweeping judgments that can make an entire season feel decided before it starts. Several national voices have penciled Washington in last place in the NFC East for 2026, leaning on worries about left tackle Laremy Tunsils injury and questions about both lines, while also pointing to a defense that has yet to prove itself in its new form.
It is a little early for verdicts on a unit that added real resources on defense and brought in coordinator Daronte Jones to reshape that side of the ball. The offensive line has new pieces and needs time to come together, and the pressure only grows from there because head coach Dan Quinn is being viewed through the lens of a fast start or a fast decline, which makes every early prediction feel a lot louder than it should be. [Read more 🡒]