Every year, multiple undrafted free agents win jobs in training camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Some players stick throughout the season, while some are released when teams need injury replacements. The Washington Commanders, under first-year general manager Adam Peters in 2024, had two undrafted free agents make the initial 53-man roster.
Safety Tyler Owens and tight end Colson Yankoff quickly established themselves on special teams before injuries shortened each of their rookie seasons. Yankoff served as Washington’s fourth tight end, while Owens was the fifth safety. Three other undrafted rookies made Washington’s practice squad: quarterback Sam Hartman, safety Ben Nikkel and running back Michael Wiley. All five Commanders’ 2024 UDFAs are currently on the offseason 90-man roster.
The 2025 NFL draft finished over a week ago, and Washington selected five players. The Commanders signed several other UDFAs, but have yet to release an official list. We have a complete list here.
Bleacher Report recently produced a list of one UDFA from each team most likely to make their team’s initial 53-man roster. Guard Tim McKay of North Carolina State was the pick for the Commanders.
As seen throughout this piece, the NFL is always searching for quality offensive linemen, hence why a quarter of the list is dominated by blockers.
The Washington Commanders are one those teams that needed to overhaul a portion of their front five this offseason. The front office traded for Laremy Tunsil before drafting Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. with this year’s 29th overall pick.
The interior didn’t initially receive much help. As a result, Washington was hot and heavy after North Carolina State’s Timothy McKay in undrafted free agency. McKay converted from right tackle to right guard, where he excelled.
Trent Scott, Nate Herbig and Chris Paul aren’t signed beyond this season. If a young and talented undrafted free agent impresses, he could easily supplant any of them.
Washington was aggressive in signing McKay, giving him a $275K bonus to sign, one of the largest given to this year’s UDFA class. Sam Cosmi (currently recovering from knee surgery) and Tyler Biadasz have two starting spots on the interior locked up, with Nick Allegretti likely competing with Brandon Coleman at left guard. Coleman played left tackle last season. Allegretti is best as a top interior reserve. Nate Herbig likely makes the roster, which leaves McKay competing with Michael Deiter and Chris Paul for a spot.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Which UDFA has best chance of making Commanders’ 53-man roster?
Every year, multiple undrafted free agents win jobs in training camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Some players stick throughout the season, while some are released when teams need injury replacements. The Washington Commanders, under first-year general manager Adam Peters in 2024, had two undrafted free agents make the initial 53-man roster.
Safety Tyler Owens and tight end Colson Yankoff quickly established themselves on special teams before injuries shortened each of their rookie seasons. Yankoff served as Washington’s fourth tight end, while Owens was the fifth safety. Three other undrafted rookies made Washington’s practice squad: quarterback Sam Hartman, safety Ben Nikkel and running back Michael Wiley. All five Commanders’ 2024 UDFAs are currently on the offseason 90-man roster.
The 2025 NFL draft finished over a week ago, and Washington selected five players. The Commanders signed several other UDFAs, but have yet to release an official list. We have a complete list here.
Bleacher Report recently produced a list of one UDFA from each team most likely to make their team’s initial 53-man roster. Guard Tim McKay of North Carolina State was the pick for the Commanders.
As seen throughout this piece, the NFL is always searching for quality offensive linemen, hence why a quarter of the list is dominated by blockers.
The Washington Commanders are one those teams that needed to overhaul a portion of their front five this offseason. The front office traded for Laremy Tunsil before drafting Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. with this year’s 29th overall pick.
The interior didn’t initially receive much help. As a result, Washington was hot and heavy after North Carolina State’s Timothy McKay in undrafted free agency. McKay converted from right tackle to right guard, where he excelled.
Trent Scott, Nate Herbig and Chris Paul aren’t signed beyond this season. If a young and talented undrafted free agent impresses, he could easily supplant any of them.
Washington was aggressive in signing McKay, giving him a $275K bonus to sign, one of the largest given to this year’s UDFA class. Sam Cosmi (currently recovering from knee surgery) and Tyler Biadasz have two starting spots on the interior locked up, with Nick Allegretti likely competing with Brandon Coleman at left guard. Coleman played left tackle last season. Allegretti is best as a top interior reserve. Nate Herbig likely makes the roster, which leaves McKay competing with Michael Deiter and Chris Paul for a spot.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Which UDFA has best chance of making Commanders’ 53-man roster?
