Hogs Haven
As a follow-up to the top 10 list of players we put out over the last few weeks, I wanted to give you my top 13 players on our squad, and my reasoning behind why I ranked each player where I did. These rankings did factor into the overall rankings you saw over the last few weeks, but Scott Bair promised you a Tyler’s Take with my thoughts – so here it is!
Editor’s note: We’ll count down the top 10 Commanders players on the 2026 roster regardless of position sporadically over the next few weeks. Before we get to it, here’s how we arrived at the ranking: Our Scott Bair, Scott Jennings and Mark Tyler compiled a top 13 – no ranking was identical — with points assigned to each ranking slot from all three lists. We used these point values to form a consensus top 10 ranking. We’ll write a story on each member of the top 10 and another on others receiving votes at the end. Plus, Mark will probably have a Tyler’s Take with his thoughts. You’ll surely object to some of these rankings, though debate is kind of the point with lists like this. Today we focus on No. 1:
Our roster rankings: 10. Leo Chenal | 9. Chig Okonwko | 8. Nick Cross | 7. Sam Cosmi | 6. Sonny Styles | 5. Daron Payne | 4. Odafe Oweh | 3. Terry McLaurin | 2. Jayden Daniels | 1. Laremy Tunsil
13. P Tress Way: I know punters don’t get enough credit (and I’m guilty of this too), but Way is fantastic at what he does!
12. DL Javon Kinlaw: It may not have shown up on tape a lot last season, but Kinlaw was often double-teamed yet still held his own on a very poor front seven. I think he’ll show out in this new, attacking scheme.
11. LB Frankie Luvu: Missed tackles and poor coverage dropped him out of my top 10. I know he played out of position a lot last year, but the head-hunting has to stop. He’s still a good player when he’s played to his strengths.
10. TE Chig Okonwko : I am going to use the dreaded “P-word” here, but I do feel he may have the highest potential of any free agent the Commanders brought in this offseason. He’s a JUMBO wide receiver with a tight end designation. His run-after-catch is borderline elite and he’s right smack in the heart of his prime.
9. LB Leo Chenal: Tough, athletic, versatile and still in his prime. He should thrive in this new scheme.
8. EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson: He’s out to prove he deserves a long-term contractual commitment. His get-off and rip-under are next level. He should thrive in a defense that doesn’t allow teams to focus on one specific player.
7. S Nick Cross: He’s going to be that versatile chess piece Daronte Jones covets in his defensive scheme.
6. **DL...
