Four Positions to Watch in Week Two of Washington Commanders OTAs

The Washington Commanders are set for the second round of OTAs starting on Tuesday, giving head coach Dan Quinn and the staff a chance to take the next step in the offseason transition. We dive into three positions we're most interested in tracking, starting with the most obvious.

Wide Receiver

Washington has a clear number one target in Terry McLaurin, but the hierarchy after him is a mystery. With McLaurin missing seven games last year, Deebo Samuel led the team in receiving, but remains a free agent. Jaylin Lane, Treylon Burks, and Luke McCaffrey return after combining for 37 receptions in 2025. Then there’s free agent signings Dyami Brown, Van Jefferson, and second-year man Jacoby Jones. Washington also drafted Clemson’s Antonio Williams in the third round. Any of these players could make an impact behind McLaurin, as the team looks to rebound in the passing game after averaging less than 200 yards per game in 2025.

With a possibility that Brandon Aiyuk-to-Washington could finally materialize, week two gives the staff a chance to evaluate the room once more ahead of other possible moves.

Running Back

Washington had one running back on the roster when the new league year started in Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The team would resign Jeremy McNichols and get former Buccaneer Rachaad White, and former Brown Jerome Ford. During the Draft, Washington used their sixth-round pick on former Penn State back Kaytron Allen. Now, Washington has their running back room for 2026, but how will they be used? Croskey-Merritt was one of the lone bright spots in 2025, rushing for over 800 yards and might have been the team’s best offensive weapon at season’s end. White started eight games for the Bucs last year, while Ford had an 800-yard season for Cleveland in 2023, filling in for an injured Nick Chubb. Allen, meanwhile, rushed for over 4000 yards at Penn State, having back-to-back 1000-yard campaigns in 2024 and ‘25, and scoring 15 touchdowns on the ground in the latter. Any one of these backs could provide a big boost for the offense in 2026.

Linebacker

Linebacker was the position Washington spent the most time at during the offseason, and should have new starters at every spot.

On the outside, free-agency signings Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson were brought in to help a pass rush that finished with no players recording double-digit sacks. Another free-agency signing, former Chief Leo Chenal, is in line to man one of the inside spots. The other will be taken by the seventh overall pick, Sonny Styles. Styles is tasked with replacing veteran Bobby Wagner as the new leader of the defense. While the Commanders went heavy on a total rebuild at the position, what the results will be remains to be seen. Oweh has had an uneven career so far, and Chaisson just had his best season with a Patriots team that was filled with defensive talent. How much of an upgrade will they be?

Chanel will be away from Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Styles is a rookie who will be responsible for calling the defense. Frankie Luvu, meanwhile, was the one reportedly sporting the 'green dot' in last week's opening practice. How this group develops - and how responsibilities evolve through reps and growth - could move the needle on the ceiling for the 2026 defense.

Secondary

Cornerback Mike Sainristil noted the emphasis on versatility in the secondary while both Quan Martin and Will Harris were reportedly also taking reps in the nickel, evidence of exactly that. The blueprint for the 2026 defense is clear given the emphasis on adding speed to the front seven, but how they adjust to Daronte Jones and iron out the two-deep adds intrigue to what the final product materializes into. Head coach Dan Quinn did not provide an update on cornerback Trey Amos last week, adding something else to possibly watch for on Tuesday.

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