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Any undrafted free agent faces steep odds of making the Week 1 roster. Wide receiver Cam Sims and cornerback Danny Johnson turned their long-shot dreams into several seasons in the NFL. Impressive summers for two active players, tight end Colson Yankoff and safety Tyler Owens, paid off last year.
With The Athletic insider Dane Brugler’s exhaustive draft guide, here’s a look at this year’s hopefuls in ranking order and possible fits with Washington. Guaranteed money figures were included when possible.
This group does not include rookie camp invitees,
Brugler’s ranking: WR36
Details: He’s 6 foot 2, 188 pounds with a 4.65 40 time. He turns 24 in October. Brooks was a first-team All-ACC selection last season with 61 receptions for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns. He played primarily on the outside with some work from the slot.
The five-star recruit had one blocked punt in all three seasons with Alabama, but thoughts of a breakout junior year were dashed after suffering a labrum tear. Brooks has experience returning kicks and punts and was one of two players listed here to receive a detailed write-up in Brugler’s draft preview.
“A tall, lean target, Brooks eats up ground quickly to beat press, stack corners and use vertical pacing to track the ball and create late separation,” Brugler wrote. “He does a nice job battling for jump-ball positioning but also fights the ball at times — he needs to improve his finishing focus to earn the trust of his coaches at the next level. Overall, Brooks’ lack of short-area agility and pacing allows man coverage to stay attached to him on short and intermediate routes, but his play strength, tracking skills and catch radius could make him a potential WR4/5.”
Potential fit: Washington has five receivers seemingly on roster lock, including fourth-round speedster Jaylin Lane, plus veterans Michael Gallup and K.J. Osborn. Special teams work is Brooks’ best path to sneaking onto the Week 1 roster, but the size, raw talent and vertical playmaking will make him a fun summer watch regardless. Having offensive assistant David Blough on the staff perhaps helps ease Brooks’ transition.
Brugler’s ranking: CB61
Details: Vigers is 6 foot 1, 205 pounds and runs a 4.52 40. His press corner ability meshes with the Commanders’ style. Vigers, who returned his lone 2024 interception for a touchdown, received $259,000 guaranteed from Washington. He finished his three-year career with 131 tackles and two interceptions.
Taylor, a defensive back who played five seasons at Rice, went undrafted last month....
