Hogs Haven
The preseason schedule is complete, and NFL teams trimmed their rosters to 53 players on Tuesday afternoon. Both rookies and veterans alike were released, with different rules applying for each. Players with less than four accrued seasons must pass through the waiver wire to become unrestricted free agents. An accrued season is defined as six or more games on either a team’s roster, injured reserve, or physically unable to perform list. Players that have four or more accrued seasons are immediately free agents and may sign with a team at any time.
Adam Peters has done a remarkable job of improving the talent of the team’s roster in a short amount of time, but while some groups (OL, TE, CB) have impressive depth, others could still use an infusion of talent. The following is a list of players that Adam Peters could consider following the deadline. Keep in mind that relatively few players are claimed during this period, and last year Washington submitted no claims. The Commanders also hold the 29th spot on the waiver order by virtue of last season’s NFC Championship appearance so talented players will have to be passed over by multiple teams to reach them. Peters did pursue and sign Noah Brown as an unrestricted free agent last year, which demonstrates he is willing to actively explore all options at final cutdowns.
Sam Hartman’s performance in the preseason cost him his roster spot, although, for some reason, Washington appears to have interest in re-signing him to the practice squad. Josh Johnson managed to make the final roster on a team that likes to carry three quarterbacks. However, given his play during the preseason, and the fact that Marcus Mariota is battling tendonitis, Washington should be in the market for an upgrade at QB3. I think Peters will want a veteran that can play as the emergency third quarterback versus a developmental player, so I only considered quarterbacks that were unrestricted free agents.
A former undrafted free agent, Huntley found his way onto the Baltimore Ravens active roster from 2021-2023 and landed with the Dolphins in 2024. All told, he has started 14 games in his NFL career, nine with the Ravens and five with the Dolphins with a 5-9 record. Huntley is a mobile quarterback with enough arm to attack the short to intermediate part of the field and has modest rushing and passing statistics over his career.
