After an action-packed second week of training camp, the Washington Commanders are gearing up for their first test of the season, a preseason opener showdown against the New England Patriots on Aug. 8.
As the team enters week three, widely regarded as game week, pads are on, the unofficial depth chart has been released, and star wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s contract still remains unextended, after reports he requested a trade late last week.
While much of the roster remains fluid, several players have already begun to stand out, flashing promise in practice and making their cases for expanded roles this season.
“It’s a new year… but you saw what the possibilities were when you have a great group of guys that go out there and compete every day,” said safety Jeremy Reaves. “So, we keep the core guys still the same and now you just get to build off of it.”
Below are six players turning heads so far at Commanders training camp.
- Cornerback Mike Sainristil
Mike Sainristil has been one of the biggest standouts of Commanders training camp so far. Heading to his second year, the 2024 second-round pick is already playing with confidence and command leading to veteran stature.
“During the offseason I was watching film on just doing a self-study tape,” said Sainristil. “And my offseason focus was how much better can I get at the things that I’m already good at, because I feel like often we lose sight of focusing on the things that we are good at because we want to put so much emphasis on the things we aren’t good at. But you still have to sharpen both sides of the sword.”
Whether he is lining up inside or outside, he consistently stays on the ball, breaking up passes, grabbing interceptions, and making plays in the backfield.
His best showings came in week one where he caught an interception off quarterback Jayden Daniels and ran it back for a touchdown later adding a tackle on wide receiver KJ Osborn in the backfield on a play in team drills. In week two Sainristil had a one-handed interception deep downfield while covering wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, sparking celebration from the defensive unit.
Sainristil’s growth is no shortage of a surprise to the coaching staff who have praised both his football IQ and emerging leadership. As expected, the team recorded Sainristil first in its three cornerback positions on the unofficial depth chart.
After having a strong rookie season with 93 tackles and leading the team with two interceptions, he’s quickly becoming a foundational piece for Washington with much of his career to go.
“To see an interception a few days ago where he was running towards the middle of the field to go and the ability to go track it and get it,” said Coach Dan Quinn. “The leader is developing and emerging. And that to me is, that’s the next step for him.”
- Running Back Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a player that quickly made a strong impression at training camp.
“Bill,” a name he earned as a child from Bill Cosby’s cartoon “Little Bill” (1999-2004), has been buzzing at training camp. The seventh-round rookie has made a strong early impression, showing off a physical, and downhill running style despite limited contact in practices.
“Bill, for a young guy who loves football, competes, very explosive,” said Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. “He got ruled ineligible at Arizona and stayed and played scout team the whole year, which is like nobody would do that, so that tells you right there the type of passion he has for, and it shows up. That was an exciting kind of pick for us and what he’s shown so far.”
His violent cuts, sharp speed, and elite vision have stood out. Croskey-Merritt hasn’t shied away from contact, delivering a hard hit to Safety Tyler Owens on the first day of pads in week two. Later on in week two, Croskey-Merritt saw time with the starting offense and made most of it, breaking off a big run down the sideline and weaving through defenders on another.
“He’s really good with his one cut and getting north and south and his vision, he’s coming along, so I’m excited to see what he does coming forward, versus in different joint practices, versus in preseason games and stuff like that,” said Daniels. “I’m excited for him.”
While many were surprised to see him listed fifth in the running backs position on the Commanders’ unofficial depth chart, especially after his standout performance in training camp, it seems that Washington’s coaching staff is aware of what Croskey-Merritt is made of. They seem content to let things play out, with any final decisions likely to come after his NFL debut.
As camp continues, the rookie is building momentum and giving the coaching staff more of a reason to take notice.
“There’s no doubt Bill’s had some good flashes for a young guy,” said Kingsbury. “We’ll see as we get into these competitive periods with other teams and preseason games.”
- Wide Receiver Jaylin Lane
Although Jaylin Lane is expected to contribute mainly as a punt returner listed second on the Commanders’ unofficial depth chart for special teams, he is quickly making a case for a larger role in Washington’s offense.
Despite being slotted third on the wide receiver depth chart, Lane is definitely turning heads at training camp.
“He’s been very impressive,” said Kingsbury. “He’s a coach’s kid, been around the game his entire life and if you tell him how to do it one time, he usually nails it and then if he makes a mistake, he’ll come back and get it corrected, but super, super talented, very fast. I’ve been really impressed.”
He flashed big-play potential in Friday’s practice in week two, breaking free behind the defense for what would’ve been a touchdown. Later on, he made the highlight of training camp so far, notching a contested touchdown in the back of the end zone from Daniels during a red drill, despite tight double coverage.
While there was some debate on whether he had both of his feet down, it was still considered the standout play of camp so far.
The rookie coming from Virginia Tech was known for his quickness and elite route running, but he never had the chance to truly showcase that. Washington is hoping that changes as his connection with Daniels continues to grow.
“He’s willing to learn and that’s what you just want from people,” said Daniels. “People that are willing to continue to grow and want to develop and learn. That’s the biggest thing for sure.”
- Cornerback Trey Amos
The Commanders entered training camp seeking a cornerback that can line up opposite Marshon Lattimore, and rookie Trey Amos is quickly emerging as a player that could fulfill the role.
As a second-round pick coming out of Ole Miss, Amos has spent the majority of camp working with the starting defense, making the most of every rep.
“The way he’s come in has definitely helped [me] because I know that’s another guy that is going to go out there and put it all on the line for the defense, for this team,” Sainristil said. “So, just from what I’ve seen from him, he has the ability to do some great things.”
In recent practices, Amos has consistently held his own against top receivers. He managed to have a goal-line pass breakup on McCaffrey and an interception off Daniels, which was revoked by a defensive penalty.
He capped off the final practice before the team’s trip to New England with another standout showing. He picked off Daniels on a pass intended for wide receiver Chris Moore and broke up a fade in the red zone on McCaffrey.
What has stood out most about Amos so far has been the fact that he is sticky in man coverage, physical at the line without drawing fouls, and already has a strong understanding of what is needed in the cornerback role.
“I’ve been showing my man coverage, my techniques,” said Amos. “Just going out there and just competing, being physical at the breaking point. Just being a person that can just show up anywhere and just do their job and be accountable.”
At 6-foot-1 with elite speed and length, he brings the caliber traits that defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and Quinn value in a cornerback.
“The thing I like about Trey’s game, and I’ve seen it with some of the other corners, patience at the line of scrimmage when you’re down on the receiver so many times you can get antsy and try to guess what their release is or a particular route,” said Quinn. “Having patience at that position is critical where you can stay connected and at the line of scrimmage you have to trust the technique. I think like [Defensive Pass Game Coordinator] Jason Simmons and him, you can feel that connection, early practice, post practice, the extra things.”
The Commanders had a first-round grade on Amos in the draft process and were thrilled when he fell to them in the second round. Now Washington is reaping the benefits of that grade and have placed him first in its three cornerback positions on the team’s unofficial depth chart.
With continued progress, it’s becoming clear that Amos will have the opportunity to contribute early on this season.
“Trey’s had a good day every day,” said Whitt. “[Defensive Pass Game Coordinator] Jason Simmons has done a really nice job with not putting too much on him, putting him in the right situations. He’s a patient kid.”
- Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel
Deebo Samuel wasted no time making his presence felt in Washington, delivering the first big play of training camp with a deep touchdown catch from Daniels over safety Tyler Owens.
“I feel that with him, the finishing of the play, and that’s a real trait, whether it’s a run play, a pass play, there’s a finishing element to his game that I really, really admire,” said Quinn.
That early highlight set the tone for a strong first week for the veteran receiver, igniting the beginning of his impact within Commanders football.
“Deebo is Deebo. We know him for the plays that he makes on Sundays, the things that he’s been doing his whole career,” said Sainristil. “For me, I’ve appreciated having him on the opposite side of me because I just know every single rep is going to be a rep to get him better, get me better. And I feel like that’s what I needed was to have somebody like him who’s going to push me and help me get better.”
Samuel has been focused on developing chemistry with Daniels and establishing a sense of leadership on Washington’s offense.
“I mean the guy’s played a lot of football and he’s very understanding the different coverages and routes, and the guy is a pro, and he works hard,” said Daniels. “I just go out there and try to communicate this is what I want, versus this look, versus this coverage, and he goes out there and he puts in the work, and he understands it.”
As expected, the team has slotted Samuel first in its three wide receiver spots on the unofficial depth chart.
Determined to prove he can still be a dynamic weapon, Samuel is off to a promising start. As he grows more comfortable, his role in Washington’s offense is only expected to expand.
“I just go out here and get better every day,” said Samuel. “Whatever position they put me at to go out here and make plays, I’m going to do the best of my ability.”
- Tight End Zach Ertz
The Commanders acquired Zach Ertz last season to come in and be a reliable target for Daniels and so far, he is delivering. The veteran tight end continues to be a favorite option during training camp, especially in red-zone situations where his chemistry with the star quarterback thrives.
One standout play where their chemistry was shining on full display was when Daniels was faced with a blitz and found Ertz across the middle for a touchdown.
“For me it’s always about just trying to find little ways to get better,” said Ertz. “I got a phenomenal coach and [Tight End] Coach [David] Raih who pushes me, encourages me, finds little things that we can improve on. So, I think I owe a lot of my success last year to him.”
While much of the camp buzz has surrounded young talent, Ertz is quietly showing that he’s still a top-tier weapon in Washington’s arsenal.
Coming off a bounce-back season and re-signed on a one-year deal, and now first on the team’s unofficial depth chart in one-of-two tight end positions, he is once again set to be a key piece in Washington’s offense.
“We all have to be better,” Ertz continued. “If we’re the same team we were last year, we’ve let ourselves down enormously. And so for me, for the guys, it’s just about how can we improve each and every day?”
The Washington Commanders are set to face off against the New England Patriots, in their first game of the preseason on Friday, Aug. 8 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
