Adam Peters has shown no remorse when it comes to disposing of draft picks from the previous regime. He didn't hold the best opinion of former head coach Ron Rivera's roster building. He wouldn't say it publicly, but his actions speak louder than words ever could.
The latest example of this saw the Commanders trade wide receiver Jahan Dotson after just two seasons. After failing to fit in with the new way of thinking, Peters shipped him to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles and a fifth-round pick for a third-rounder and two seventh-round selections. This was a bombshell and showed nobody aside from a select few is safe.
Most decisions have already been made with just one preseason game remaining. Final cuts are on the immediate horizon, which could also see Peters get active on the waiver wire or trade market depending on what opportunities come along.
A dramatic few days await. With this in mind, here are nine Commanders draft picks who could be gone after their preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
Commanders draft picks who could be gone after 2024 preseason finale
Percy Butler - Commanders S
The Washington Commanders have some tough choices to make in the safety room. Dan Quinn gave everyone a chance to shine over the summer. Their starting tandem of Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin looks cemented. Everything seems up for grabs after that.
Several are fighting for backup slots and places on the 53-man roster. Percy Butler is one player facing an anxious wait to see if he's done enough to make the squad.
The emergence of undrafted free agent Tyler Owens only adds further intrigue to the equation. Butler responded well to improved coaching and has a good chance to make the team. At the same time, the Commanders could easily go in a different direction and remove another Ron Rivera draft pick if they feel like it can benefit the franchise.
It's a fine line. How reps are allocated during Washington's final preseason game will be telling.
Chris Paul - Commanders OL
One of the biggest concerns to emerge from training camp centered on the Washington Commanders' offensive line depth. The starting five could be productive. If one or two were to go down with injury concerns, that's when the problems could arise.
Much will depend on how those further down the pecking order perform in Washington's last warmup game against the New England Patriots, but it wouldn't be a shock to see general manager Adam Peters acquire another addition or two depending on what options become available. Chris Paul is someone who must leave a good impression before the time comes to decide his fate.
Paul's been deployed as an interior presence and offensive tackle throughout the offseason. He's much more comfortable as a guard. Whether the former seventh-round pick out of Tulsa is up to the required standard is the biggest conundrum facing Peters and head coach Dan Quinn.
Nothing but an outstanding effort will do from Paul. He can't do anything after that, so focusing on what he can control is critical in pursuit of another chance on the 53-man roster.
Cole Turner - Commanders TE
The Commanders weren't going to sit on their hands at the tight end position this offseason. Zach Ertz was acquired to become a veteran short-term option capable of providing a security blanket for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington also spent a second-round selection on Ben Sinnott to potentially become their long-term playmaker.
Ertz and Sinnott have made their presence felt over the summer. John Bates also came in for significant praise after demonstrating improvements in the passing game to go along with his outstanding blocking. That leaves Cole Turner's fate hanging in the balance heading into final cuts.
Turner's flashes promise, but no more than that. He's got the size and physicality to be more impactful. However, this could be a numbers game for the former fifth-round selection out of Nevada when it's all said and done.
If the Commanders decide three is enough, Turner won't make it. If those in power believe taking through four tight ends would be more beneficial, then his place looks relatively safe despite the presence of undrafted free agent Colson Yankoff.
Phidarian Mathis - Commanders DL
Adam Peters doesn't care about where players were drafted under previous head coach Ron Rivera. If anyone on the Washington Commanders had any doubt about that, trading wide receiver Jahan Dotson to a division rival should be the wake-up call they needed.
Anyone not pulling their weight or failing to display improvements will be shown the door. That's the only way Washington is going to turn itself from a bottom-feeder into a postseason challenger.
Someone like Phidarian Mathis wouldn't be classed as safe by any stretch of the imagination. The former second-round selection endured rough luck on the injury front over his first two seasons. It's been a quiet training camp for the defensive lineman, so one couldn't say with any guarantee he'll be around in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Johnny Newton's injury status could be his saving grace. John Ridgeway III hasn't exactly stood out either. There's all to play for heading into Washington's preseason finale against the New England Patriots. A huge effort is needed from the Alabama product to secure his position.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. - Commanders RB
Chris Rodriguez Jr. looked like a lock to make the Commanders' 53-man roster heading into the offseason program. The running back caught the eye when called upon last season during limited involvement. Nobody seemed particularly concerned about his No. 3 spot behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler.
Things aren't so clear right now. Rodriguez's pedestrian preseason performances provided a window for others to stake their claim. Players like Jeremy McNichols and undrafted free agent Michael Wiley have impressed, so there's just no telling for sure how this dynamic shakes out with just a few short days remaining until final cuts.
All hope is not lost with Rodriguez, but his status now is less clear than when the offseason began. He can alleviate concerns and improve his status by making every carry count during Washington's last warmup outing. He'll be hoping the damage hasn't already been done and those in power are still assessing the situation.
Rodriguez has talent, he proved that as a rookie. That won't matter to the new regime, which is making everyone earn their spot rather than handing them out for past accomplishments.
Darrick Forrest - Commanders S
As previously stated, the Washington Commanders need to navigate some tough decisions with their safety options. It's a competitive, deep group. There won't be room for everyone, so choosing the right figures is critical in pursuit of making some noise in 2024.
Darrick Forrest was an established starter heading into the 2023 campaign. His partnership on the backend with Kamren Curl was considered among the league's brightest young tandems. Unfortunately for the former Cincinnati star, an injury restricted him to five games before being put on the shelf.
The NFL waits for no man. Curl didn't get a new deal from Adam Peters and signed for the Los Angeles Rams in free agency. Forrest lost his starting spot as the new regime moved forward with Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin. It's a drastic change in the player's prospects from a year ago. Whether it comes with being removed entirely remains to be seen.
Forrest is gifted. It's whether he's a scheme fit that represents the biggest concern. Releasing him is a big call to make given his proven production. However, the Commanders won't hesitate if they feel others are more deserving.
Ricky Stromberg - Commanders OL
Ron Rivera had a desperate need to find productive offensive linemen from the 2023 NFL Draft. Instead of prioritizing this key position group, he spent Washington's first two picks on defensive backs. The previous head coach finally relented in the third round by taking Ricky Stromberg.
Those in power thought Stromberg could potentially become the team's long-term center. The former Arkansas star's transition didn't go well due to injury and poor performance. He wasn't able to overcome this adversity and found himself lower down the pecking order than ever this offseason.
The Commanders signed Michael Deiter to be their backup center behind Tyler Biadasz. He's not exactly set the world slight, but one could argue he's a better option than Stroomberg at this juncture. Unless the second-year pro cements himself as a rotational piece on the interior - regardless of what position he's best suited to - Washington might show him the door.
The stakes are high for Stromberg and time is running out. Not even a dominant display in Washington's preseason finale against the New England Patriots could save him when push comes to shove.
Andre Jones Jr. - Commanders OLB
There are reasons to be encouraged in the edge-rushing room, albeit moderately. The Washington Commanders needed some fresh faces after trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the deadline. Dorance Armstrong Jr., Clelin Ferrell, Dante Fowler Jr., and Javontae Jean-Baptiste were secured via free agency and the draft. This should fill the void and potentially improve the group's ability to create consistent pressure.
Jamin Davis' encouraging progress over the last week means he'll see plenty of work on the edge. K.J. Henry is building on a promising rookie campaign after catching the eye in Sweat and Young's absence. Where this leaves Andre Jones Jr. is anyone's guess, but he's got his work cut out with just one last chance to impress the coaching staff.
Jones was a seventh-round pick last year but worked exceptionally hard to make the team. The Louisiana product earned rotational reps and became impactful on special teams when given the chance. Keeping this up is a big challenge. He also seems pretty far down the depth chart all things considered.
Teams have no trouble disposing of seventh-round selections at the best of times. For someone with Adam Peters' ruthless roster-building approach, he won't bat an eyelid.
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. - Commanders CB
Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s rookie campaign was a catastrophe. Ron Rivera thought he was the shutdown presence needed to take this defense into the upper echelons of the league. It looks like one more grave personnel error for his ever-growing list.
Forbes got another chance to prove himself this offseason under the new regime. Some thought Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. were the perfect coaches to help him develop effectively. There have been plenty of encouraging moments. He's also gone through significant hardship along the way.
There are concerns about Forbes' size and whether he'll ever be able to successfully cover prolific NFL wide receivers. Sam Fortier from The Washington Post raised concerns about whether his physical profile fits the Commanders' new vision for the future. They aren't exactly blessed with solid cornerback depth, but it's hard to say which way this is going to go long-term.
Removing Forbes from the equation after just one season looking at the options available is a monumental call. But with rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil taking more snaps on the outside, it couldn't be completely dismissed following another rollercoaster offseason for the Mississippi State product.
