The Washington Commanders spent the offseason trying to patch the holes that wrecked their 2025 season, and the work isn’t done yet. Adam Peters has pushed hard to add depth and raise the level of competition across the roster, including the recent signing of veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas. More moves could still come, but even now, the group looks stronger than it did a year ago.
That matters because Washington’s hopes rest first on the stars staying healthy and playing to form. But if the Commanders are going to climb back into playoff contention, the players lower on the depth chart have to matter too. A few of them are flying well under the radar heading into training camp, and they could wind up being bigger pieces than anyone is talking about right now.
Jordan Magee is one of those names. Washington is deep at linebacker after bringing in Leo Chenal in free agency and using the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Sonny Styles.
Frankie Luvu is also shifting back to an off-ball role after spending more time on the edge last season. Even with that crowd in front of him, Magee has a real chance to force his way into the conversation.
The 2024 fifth-round pick has the kind of athletic profile teams love to bet on at linebacker. His speed, explosiveness, and physical style fit what Daronte Jones wants to do, and the flashes he has shown over the last two years have given Washington something to work with. If Magee cleans up his pursuit angles and starts finishing tackles more consistently, the Commanders may have something special on their hands.
Charles Omenihu is another backup who deserves more attention. His one-year free-agent deal didn’t get nearly the same buzz as some of Washington’s other additions, but it could end up being a sneaky important move. With better luck on the injury front, he has the chance to be a real factor.
Omenihu has already shown he can be useful for the Kansas City Chiefs, and he often seemed to find another gear when the games mattered most in the playoffs. He brings size, length, and versatility to the defensive front, which gives him a path to a meaningful role in the rotation. His production dipped in 2025, but that came in his first season back from a serious injury, so the adjustment period was always part of the equation.
Washington has plenty of options on the edge, but Omenihu believes he can still make a lasting impact in Daronte Jones’ system.
In Other News...
Commanders May Have Finally Found A Veteran WR Answer
Washingtons receiver room still looks thin behind Terry McLaurin, and the front office has not yet done anything to fully answer that need. The depth chart has been leaning on a group of young or unproven options, which is why the search for a veteran addition has lingered into the stretch before training camp.
One name now in the mix is Brandin Cooks, who has made it clear he wants to land with a team before camp opens and has also said Buffalo is his preferred destination. For Washington, the appeal is obvious: Cooks just showed he can still help a contender in a late-season run, and his brief stint with the Bills gave him a reminder that he can fit into a passing game quickly if the opportunity is right. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Already Have Their Answer Opposite Terry McLaurin
The Commanders spent a premium draft pick on a receiver who could change the look of their passing game almost immediately, and Antonio Williams already has the kind of profile that makes people around the league take notice. With Terry McLaurin still the centerpiece, Washington needed someone who could help lighten the load on the other side, and Williams arrives with enough buzz to make that conversation feel real before training camp even starts.
What happens next will matter just as much as the draft-night decision. If Williams shows he can handle the speed and physicality of the pro game right away, Washington may not feel much urgency to keep shopping for another veteran wideout, but if the transition proves bumpy, the team could be back in the market sooner than expected. For now, the Commanders at least have a promising answer in-house, and the summer will tell them how firm that answer really is. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Front Office Shakeup Just Added A New Twist
The Commanders personnel department is getting another reset, with veteran NFL executive Scott Fitterer leaving after two seasons in Washington. The move comes as the franchise continues to shape the front office around general manager Adam Peters, and it adds another layer to a group that has already been busy trying to build a more stable operation behind the scenes.
In his place, Washington has brought in former Vikings assistant GM Demitrius Washington as a senior personnel executive, giving the organization another experienced evaluator to lean on. The hire also reconnects him with Peters from their time together in San Francisco, a familiar tie that could matter as the Commanders keep refining how they identify and stack talent. [Read more 🡒]