These Commanders players ace an anxious wait.
Adam Peters and his staff are navigating a frantic few days before their roster for the 2024 season becomes final. The Washington Commanders went through a difficult process of parting ways with dozens of hopefuls to trim their squad from 90 to an initial 53. Now, the new general manager must scour the waiver wire and vested veteran pool for potential additions they feel can help get the organization back to respectability.
Peters is displaying ruthless aggression in his roster-building process. He's purged draft picks from the Ron Rivera era in favor of players who fit into the newfound way of thinking more effectively. If the respected front-office executive feels like more moves are needed, he won't hesitate to pull the trigger.
That seems entirely possible considering the Commanders have a bundle of salary-cap space and sit at No. 2 in the waiver wire priority list. This also means that some who got survived his opening cull during final cuts face an anxious wait before Washington's first wave of claims are processed.
With this in mind, here are five vulnerable Commanders players who could be sacrificed for waiver wire pickups after final cuts.
Vulnerable Commanders players who could be sacrificed for waiver claims
Percy Butler - Commanders S
This could have easily been anyone else lower down the safety depth chart. However, general manager Adam Peters is more than willing to part ways with those drafted by the previous regime. That makes Percy Butler vulnerable despite showing signs of life this offseason.
One only has to look at K.J. Henry's fate to see that. The ascending young edge presence was comfortably Washington's best pass-rusher throughout the preseason. That wasn't enough to stick around over those who were sought by Peters.
The Washington Commanders have a surplus at the safety spot, especially considering sixth-rounder Dominique Hampton can play there despite being listed as a linebacker. Butler's special teams production might be his saving grace, but there's just no telling for sure given how many Rivera picks from the college ranks have fallen by the wayside in recent months.
Trent Scott - Commanders OT
The Washington Commanders didn't throw up many surprises on the offensive line after their final cuts were confirmed. Last year's third-round selection Ricky Stromberg was released after those in power failed to find a willing trade partner. Aside from that, everyone who was expected to make it found themselves on the initial 53-man roster.
That was a positive development for someone like Trent Scott. But if the veteran offensive tackle feels a sense of confidence about his fate, he might want to think twice.
Scott's performance levels over the preseason were indifferent at best. He's limited in pass protection and has lost some core power on running-downs. If the Commanders feel like an upgrade can be found through a vested veteran or waiver wire claim, they'd be foolish not to consider it.
Adam Peters cannot get complacent, nor will he. Scott has experience - albeit with inconsistent production in a competitive setting attached. That shouldn't be enough to keep him from the chop if a more enticing option is there for the taking.
John Ridgeway III - Commanders DT
Speculation emerged earlier in the day that the Washington Commanders were trying to trade defensive tackle John Ridgeway III before final cuts. John Keim of ESPN reported that there was interest in the player without anything concrete emerging. The Commanders kept him around, but for how much longer remains to be seen.
It seems for all the smart money that those in power prefer Phidarian Mathis to Ridgeway. Whether he's on the team to continue trade talks with willing suitors hasn't been disclosed. A situation could also emerge where he's removed from the equation for a waiver wire claim when push comes to shove.
Ideally, the Commanders would get something back in return for Ridgeway that frees up a roster spot for someone else. Regardless of which way it goes, the interior presence looks like the odd man out behind Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, second-round rookie Johnny Newton, and Mathis.
Trading Ridgeway is the best-case scenario for all parties. If not, he's a prime candidate to be gone in favor of another addition from the waiver wire pool.
Chris Paul - Commanders OL
As previously mentioned, the Washington Commanders cannot hold firm with their offensive line depth if those in power get opportunities to enhance it. The last thing rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels needs is subpar protection if a starter or two go down at any stage during the regular season. Ensuring this doesn't become a weak link remains one of the team's primary objectives.
Chris Paul got a reprieve after demonstrating slight improvements throughout the offseason. His time on the field as an offensive tackle didn't go well, but he looked sharp on the interior to get a spot on the initial 53-man squad.
Paul still faces a nervous wait before learning what comes next. It would be a shock to see Adam Peters not use the No. 2 waiver priority to his advantage. Some good candidates are available if the Commanders are intent on finding additional reinforcements. That also includes some intriguing offensive linemen who are now looking for alternative employment.
The Commanders wouldn't have taken Paul through if he didn't earn it. That's a positive working in his favor. Even so, the former seventh-round pick out of Tulsa won't be celebrating until waivers have been processed.
Colson Yankoff - Commanders TE
Arguably the most surprising name on the Commanders' initial 53-man roster was Colson Yankoff. Not many held out hope that the tight end could make a name for himself in such a crowded room before offseason workouts began. He used this as extra motivation to see off the likes of Armani Rogers and Cole Turner to book his spot.
Having four tight ends seems like too many considering the blocking capabilities of John Bates and second-round selection Ben Sinnott. Yanoff might be expendable as a result, but head coach Dan Quinn gushed about the undrafted free agent after Washington's initial 53-man roster became official. That's the biggest sign yet that he has a bright future.
Adam Peters is the man in charge. He'll know which position groups need help and won't think twice about removing unheralded players such as Yankoff to rectify issues elsewhere. That sounds harsh, but it's all part of the football operation adopting a business-first model at long last under the new regime.
Yankoff will be hoping his efforts were enough. If not, he'll be guaranteed a place on the practice squad to continue his encouraging development.
