A lot of people think the month of May is a dead time for the NFL, but in actuality, it's one of the more interesting times of the year.
That's because not only do we experience the highly-celebrated and highly-anticipated schedule release - we also get rookie minicamps and OTAs, which are major stepping stones toward figuring out exactly what each team will look like during the upcoming season.
With that being said, the Washington Commanders hold rookie minicamp May 10-12, which includes 2024 draft picks and UDFAs, as well as tryouts for certain invitees. So, let's go ahead and talk about three UDFAs to keep an eye on during the weekend.
1. S Tyler Owens, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Owens was projected to be a seventh-rounder/priority free agent. All one has to do is read The Athletic's Dane Brugler's scouting report summary to realize that Owens has the "Dan Quinn guy" traits needed to play in this defense.
Overall, Owens boasts first-round physical traits in his length and explosive speed, but his key-and-diagnose skills have yet to mature and could make him a liability on an NFL field. A move to linebacker might be in his future, and his impact on special teams could be his saving grace to making an NFL roster. - Dane Brugler, The Athletic
As Brugler mentions, it's Owens' instincts that are holding him back from reaching his true potential. Those can be coached up, to a certain extent, so the way for him to make the roster is through special teams plays, big plays in practice, and simply showing that he's maturing in terms of technique, instincts, awareness, and understanding of the system.
The best part about his speed and explosiveness is those traits are perfect for teams. Owens played safety and STAR in college thanks to his size and ability to cover tight ends - he's the epitome of what Quinn looks for in his second/third level defenders.
The safety room is headlined by Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn. One also figures Jeremy Reaves, an All-Pro/Pro Bowl special teamer, is good to go. But, the fourth spot is certainly open, which gives Owens a shot, at the end of the day.
2. QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Yes, the Commanders drafted the new face of the franchise in Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick and they signed veteran QB -and former No. 2 pick himself- Marcus Mariota to a one-year, $6 million deal in free agency.
The Commanders also have Hartman, veteran Jeff Driskel and Jake Fromm on the roster. Yes, they have a grand total of not one, not two, not three, but five QBs on the roster.
It is unfeasible for even four QBs to split reps when it comes to whatever the Commanders' quarterback competition plans may be. There is no way to divide the reps up among that many guys and get a proper evaluation from it.
There's also the fact the Commanders gave Hartman a $20k signing bonus and $245k in guaranteed money. They clearly like this kid and if he starts off hot in rookie minicamp, then it's pretty obvious what the official QB plan is for 2024: Driskel and Fromm are on the outside looking in and it's going to stay that way unless something extreme happens.
3. CB Chigozie Anusiem, Colorado State Rams
Like Owens, Anusiem has an excellent blend of size, length, and speed, which is what Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. love in their defensive backs/back end players.
The key with Anusiem, however, is his ability play man coverage and his experience in Colorado State's Cover-3 scheme. As we all know the Commanders secondary will play a ton of man coverage within a C3 structure, likely at a top-3 clip in 2024, so it's crucial the staff finds the right guys for the job.
The biggest question surrounding Anusiem's game is his ball production. Overall, it lacked and it also took a big drop, in terms of pass break-ups, from 2022 to 2023. Anusiem recorded nine PBUs in 2022 to just three, last year.
Either way, he has the traits to stay afloat in this scheme and the cornerback room has bodies, but is largely unsettled. If Anusiem can hit the ground running this weekend, then it will go a long way toward carving out a viable spot on the final 53.
