With big money comes big expectations. That goes for the highest-paid players on the team, or even an undrafted free agent who got more guaranteed money than most.
Something that one NFL Draft analyst believes represents a good sign for a prospect the Washington Commanders shelled out decent cash to acquire when the undrafted free-agent frenzy commenced.
The Commanders made some major alterations to their offensive line this offseason. Laremy Tunsil came in via trade from the Houston Texans to solidify the blindside. Adam Peters also spent the No. 29 overall selection on Josh Conerly Jr., who's got the tools to make an immediate contribution with a smooth integration.
Another move went under the radar compared to these high-profile acquisitions. However, the signing of Timothy McKay has the scope to shake things up considerably.
Analyst expects Timothy McKay to make the Commanders' roster in 2025
This was a sentiment echoed by Thor Nystrom from Fantasy Life. The respected draft guru highlighted the money allocated to McKay as a strong indicator of his roster chances. He also believes his versatility could come in handy, provided he impresses enough in the coming months.
Washington’s highest-priced UDFA signing was NC State OL Timothy McKay, who got an eye-opening $275,000 in guarantees. That indicates he’s an odds-on favorite to win a spot on the Week 1 roster. McKay split 2,784 collegiate snaps mostly between RG and RT—he’s a projected guard at the next level.Thor Nystrom
Nobody is expecting McKay to immediately surge into a starting role. There is nothing to suggest can he cannot make his way onto the roster as a developmental depth piece on Washington's protection.
The Commanders paid a premium to get him on board. McKay is getting more guaranteed money on his contract than a sixth-round pick. That says a lot, but it also brings added expectations that must be matched once he fully acclimatizes the the professional ranks.
Having so much starting experience in college should serve him well. McKay flashed genuine dominance at times with North Carolina State. Some technical flaws could hold him back, but placing him on the interior reduces the risk of getting stranded on an island without help. That's only going to assist his pursuit of roster consideration.
Washington's offensive line dynamic will be one of the more fascinating elements to watch as preparations for the new season ramp up. McKay is an unheralded prospect starting from the bottom up, but don't be surprised if he comes on quicker than most expect.
Looking at the money outlayed by the Commanders, they're betting on this scenario coming to fruition.
