Letting Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency was a contentious move by general manager Adam Peters. The Washington Commanders need someone else to step up and fill the explosive, instinctive void left by the standout safety.
And they might have stumbled into a surprising candidate almost by accident.
Chinn galvanized his career under head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. The former second-round pick was cast aside by the Carolina Panthers, deemed unsuitable to be deployed effectively within Ejiro Evero's 3-4 system. He silenced his doubters and more in Washington, which was enough for the Las Vegas Raiders to make him an offer that Peters was unwilling to match.
The Commanders signed Will Harris, who's expected to start alongside Quan Martin. They have Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves, and Tyler Owens in projected backup roles currently. However, reports emerging from Washington's mandatory minicamp suggest that an undrafted free agent is also coming to the fore.
Commanders taking a close look at Robert McDaniel's versatility over minicamp
Lynnell Willingham from 106.7 The Fan noted how the Commanders were using Robert McDaniel during the team portion of practice. His athletic build is similar to Chinn's, which is something Washington's coaching staff want to examine in greater detail before deciding if more is needed.
"Robert McDaniel is a name you all should remember. Jackson State, undrafted free agent, they have played him everywhere in this secondary. Today [Wednesday], saw him getting work as the deep half-post safety. Saw him working in the slot. We've seen him at outside corner. He's somebody that has that Jeremy Chinn body type. Of the UDFAs, I think him and Car'lin Vigers are the ones that have the best opportunity to really make this roster."
Lynell Willingham
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 12, 2025
There is a long way to go before McDaniel becomes a legitimate threat to make the 53-man squad, but this represents a positive step in the right direction. His arrival once the draft concluded went relatively unnoticed. That doesn't mean he cannot surge from nowhere to make his presence felt.
McDaniel stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 211 pounds. He was rough around the edges from a technical standpoint during his time in college. The Commanders believe the physical attributes are there to be molded into something more, and the defensive back couldn't be doing much more to stake a claim right now.
Asking him to come in and immediately fill Chinn's role is unfair and unrealistic in equal measure. Even so, McDaniel is making all the right noises over early workouts.
If the same trend continues over the summer and whatever reps come his way in the preseason, the Commanders will have no option other than to take him through.
