Dan Quinn takes charge of his first home game as Washington Commanders head coach against the New England Patriots in Preseason Week 3. This is also the last chance for those fighting for roster spots to make their presence felt before those in power begin to make some tough choices.
Things are hanging precariously for many. Quinn stated there are around 10 position battles yet to be decided. How players perform in Washington's preseason finale could make a huge difference with final cuts on the immediate horizon.
The Commanders aren't expected to risk their established starters - including rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels - for the clash. This represents a final audition for many. Some will thrive under the spotlight. Others will fall by the wayside and will be cast aside by new general manager Adam Peters if they don't fit into his newfound way of thinking.
With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players firmly on the hot seat entering Preseason Week 3 against the Patriots.
Commanders players on the hot seat entering Preseason Week 3
Chigozie Anusiem - Commanders CB
The cornerback room is one of the team's biggest question marks. Rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil looks like the only dependable presence and he's yet to play a regular season contest. That's a major concern - one that could jeopardize their hopes of making immediate improvements in 2024.
A couple of spots are up for grabs for anyone who takes one last surge. Chigozie Anusiem could be the guy if everything goes according to plan during the Washington Commanders' last warmup outing.
Anusiem was coveted by half the league after going undrafted. He chose the Commanders because there was a legitimate opportunity to attain a roster spot. He's also got the size and physical profile head coach Dan Quinn looks for in his defensive backs within his creative schematic concepts.
It's been an impressive summer for the Colorado State product. If the same trend continues against the New England Patriots, there's a good chance Anusiem finds himself on the initial 53-man roster.
Ricky Stromberg - Commanders OL
Ricky Stromberg's versatility along the offensive line might be his saving grace. However, that's not a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination entering Year 2 of his professional career.
The Washington Commanders spent a third-round selection on Stromberg last year. Injuries meant he was an innocent bystander for the most part. He also struggled to adjust versus high-caliber NFL defensive linemen, which was a disappointing turn of events for someone Ron Rivera hoped would become their long-term starting center.
That's out of the question after the Commanders signed Tyler Biadasz to start and Michael Deiter to back him up in free agency. Stromberg must prove his worth as a dependable offensive guard. The jury is still out on that with just one preseason game remaining.
How Stromberg performs in Washington's preseason finale against the New England Patriots could have huge ramifications attached. But make no mistake, general manager Adam Peters won't hesitate to cut the cord if he believes a better alternative can be found.
John Ridgeway III - Commanders DL
Those on the defensive line depth chart have been relatively quiet behind the starting tackle tandem of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Rookie second-rounder Johnny Newton endured an injury-ravaged first offseason with the team, but the player is reportedly making good progress in pursuit of Week 1 involvement.
After that, everything is up for grabs. Much will depend on how many interior depth pieces the Commanders take through. It could be a straight fight between Phidarian Mathis and John Ridgeway III for the fourth spot based on how things have unfolded over the summer.
Ridgeway's had a pedestrian camp and his performances didn't exactly encourage during the previous campaign. Mathis is the former second-round pick with better athletic traits, but a situation could emerge where new general manager Adam Peters cuts another Ron Rivera draft pick loose if he feels like it will benefit the franchise.
Both Ridgeway and Mathis will get their fair share of reps in Washington's preseason outing against the New England Patriots. Whoever performs better could be given the nod when it's all said and done.
Brycen Tremayne - Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders trading Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles was a big call to make. Those in power felt the offer was sufficient for someone not fitting into their long-term vision. Nobody else has been acquired as yet, which is a confidence boost for others looking for extended involvement in 2024.
Brycen Tremayne's hopes of making the initial 53-man roster increased following Dotson's departure. The former undrafted free agent out of Stanford came up with big plays aplenty throughout training camp. His production during preseason games was less impressive, so a rousing effort is needed at Commanders Field against the New England Patriots to enhance his hopes.
Tremayne has the size, wing span, and contested catch prowess to make noise, especially in red-zone situations. He should get plenty of reps versus the Patriots. Maximizing them with assured production when targets arrive is critical.
It could go either way for Tremayne, in all honesty. If the Commanders decide to acquire another wide receiver via the waiver wire or trade, the player will likely have to settle for a place on the practice squad once again.
Dominique Hampton - Commanders S
The Commanders have strength in depth at the safety position. This makes the competition for places fierce. Adam Peters can't take them all through, so some good players are going to be deemed surplus to requirements and will likely get picked up by other organizations.
That's all part of the business. The Commanders have some tough choices to make across the board in the coming days, so anything those in contention can do to increase their hopes will stand them in good stead.
Dominique Hampton was a sixth-round selection this year who the coaching staff liked. The former Washington Huskies' star has the size and scope to be an intriguing development project and special teams ace. But nothing is guaranteed looking at the options available.
Hampton spent some time working with linebackers over practice this week according to those in attendance. This versatility should serve him well, but leaving no doubt in the Commanders' preseason finale against the New England Patriots is essential.
Jeff Driskel - Commanders QB
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels won't be risked during the Washington Commanders' last preseason commitment against the New England Patriots. Although disappointing to the fans attending, it's the right call to make after head coach Dan Quinn officially named him as QB1.
Marcus Mariota is dealing with an injury and might not be risked, either. This puts Jeff Driskel firmly in the spotlight as the veteran looks to get an extended stay with the Commanders in some capacity.
One could make a strong case that Driskel has outperformed Mariota throughout the summer. He's made some impressive throws and kept mistakes to a minimum. His chances of making the team appear slim, but a place on the practice squad looks within reason depending on how the Commanders perceive undrafted free agent Sam Hartman's long-term prospects.
Driskel's been around the block a few times. He knows the situation he's facing and what might come next regardless of how well he performs. But the signal-caller can ensure some tough conversations take place with a solid showing versus the Patriots.
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. - Commanders CB
There have been some nice moments from Emmanuel Forbes Jr. this offseason. The cornerback also went through significant complications that highlight his precarious situation heading into the 2024 campaign.
While it's highly unlikely that Forbes won't be on the squad in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his role remains a mystery. The former first-round pick seems firmly behind Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis in the pecking order. Rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil is also taking reps on the outside, which is another indicator of the coaching staff's lack of confidence in the Mississippi State product.
This is about how best to utilize Forbes while he develops. He doesn't look capable of covering the elite-level wideouts as previous head coach Ron Rivera envisaged. However, a strong performance against the New England Patriots will go some way to alleviating concerns.
Adam Peters has removed several Rivera draft picks who he felt weren't a good fit. It's unlikely the Commanders will give up on Forbes after just one season, but the need to remove doubts about his long-term future cannot be overstated.
