Commanders rookies reported for training camp on Friday, and the real work is already underway before the full roster arrives Tuesday. This early stretch doesn’t come with much noise, but it matters. It gives the newcomers a few days to settle in before the seven-week grind of meetings, practices and walk-throughs begins in earnest.
That’s where Washington will start sorting out who can help right away and who needs more time. The Commanders need some of these rookies to contribute fast, while others are being groomed for a bigger role down the line. Sonny Styles, the No. 7 overall pick, sits at the top of that conversation, but there are several other names worth tracking closely as camp opens.
Antonio Williams is one of the most interesting. The No. 71 overall pick enters with a lot riding on him, and not just because of where he was drafted.
Washington has a clear need at the No. 2 receiver spot opposite Terry McLaurin, and Williams has the kind of quickness and separation ability that should fit in new coordinator David Blough’s offense. The challenge now is less about where he lines up and more about whether he can build enough trust with Jayden Daniels to matter this season.
The jump from college to the NFL is a big one for receivers, with tighter coverage, more disguise, more positions to learn and a whole lot of timing to get right.
Kaytron Allen brings a different kind of intrigue. The sixth-round running back got plenty of attention after the draft, helped along by the fact that he wants to be called “Fatman.”
The Penn State product arrives as the school’s all-time leading rusher and a physical, slashing runner who can make noise in the league. He’ll have to earn it, though.
Allen is in the mix with Bill Croskey-Merritt and veteran Rachaad White for snaps and carries, and his work as a pass protector could end up being just as important as what he does with the ball. If he can’t block, it’s hard to stay on the field.
On the other side of the ball, Joshua Josephs is another rookie who could force his way into the picture. Washington took him in the fifth round, and he comes out of Tennessee with 9.5 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss in college.
His RAS fits what the Commanders tend to like, even if his listed 242 pounds looks a little light. With Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson already added to the edge group, Josephs doesn’t need to do everything.
If he can help in the rotation, contribute on special teams and give the staff something to work with, that’s a strong start. The preseason should give him plenty of chances to flash, but the real test will be how he handles run defense and the basic stuff that gets coaches to trust a young edge rusher.
Then there’s the kicker battle, which has a chance to be one of the more interesting competitions in camp. Drew Stevens is an undrafted free agent, but Washington has put him right into the mix with Jake Moody, a former third-round pick and the first kicker selected in 2023.
Stevens has a big leg, accuracy, and an 80% field-goal rate in college. He was even better as a junior, hitting 87%, and he reportedly looked good during his first NFL offseason program.
Coaches will keep putting him in pressure situations during camp and preseason games to see whether he can beat out Moody and claim the 2026 job.
The receiver group has room for another name to emerge, too, and Jaden Bradley is one to keep on the radar. The Commanders have obvious opportunity at the top of the depth chart and maybe even at the bottom if they keep six receivers.
Bradley is one of two intriguing undrafted wideouts in camp, along with LSU’s Chris Hilton, and head coach Dan Quinn singled him out for a strong offseason program. Terry McLaurin has also mentored him some.
Bradley’s senior season at UNLV was productive, with 931 yards and four touchdowns, and he could work his way toward a practice-squad spot if he earns reps and holds his own in preseason action.
For Washington, this camp is about more than just getting through the summer. It’s a test of how quickly rookies can absorb information, apply it and show they belong.
Some will be asked to help immediately. Others just need to show enough to keep the door open.
Either way, the first real evaluation starts now.
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Commanders Rookie Joshua Josephs Is Building Buzz Fans Can't Ignore
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For a rookie trying to carve out a place in a crowded front, that kind of versatility matters. Josephs still has a long summer ahead before anyone can say how much hell play, but training camp, joint practices and the preseason will tell the real story about whether he can turn the buzz into a steady role in Washingtons edge rotation. [Read more 🡒]