Hogs Haven
The Commanders are working their way through their offseason program. We’re heading into the final week of OTAs, with a mandatory veteran minicamp on the immediate horizon.
We’ll hit the final OTA open to the media on Tuesday, with plenty to keep an eye on in this practice. We’ve learned plenty to this point, with a lot more to figure out during training camp deeper into the summer.
Here are a few names to watch as we work through the offseason program:
We won’t have a firm grasp on the state of the Commanders running game until the pads come on, but we can catch glimpses of how they work out of the backfield as pass catching options. Free-agent signing Rachaad White is a good one, someone with a solid track record as a receiver.
He had 50 catches for 290 yards and two touchdowns last season, but he had 64 catches for 549 yards and three scores the year before. There’s potential here, especially with Bill Croskey-Merritt not expected to be an active part of the passing game.
And, during a time without contact, running back evaluation is best kept to the passing game. This is where White can shine and earn a defined role in a crowded backfield with Croskey-Merritt and rookie Kaytron Allen, among others.
White will be a weapon as a runner but could really be an asset as a third-down back. That’s something worth watching at this stage of the offseason program.
There’s a fair assumption that the Commanders will add another receiver to the roster before we start playing for keeps. General manager Adam Peters hasn’t said so directly, though the assumption (right or nah) is that Brandon Aiyuk will be a Commander — he sure seems to want that — when/if the San Francisco 49ers release him. Or Washington could sign DMV guy and steady producer Stefon Diggs, though he’s been on the market for some time.
There are other athletes vying for the spot opposite Terry McLaurin right now, with former first-round pick Treylon Burks and this year’s third-round pick Antonio Williams vying for regular duty.
There are options at that spot, but also think about the slot, where receiving talent will be required. Some fans are bullish on Luke McCaffrey, who shined at times and can be a positive contributor. Can Dyami Brown be better in his second Commanders stint? And then there’s Jaylin Lane, a 2025 fourth-round pick looking to prove himself. Those guys are here at OTAs and deserve a long look whether Peters chooses to add to the position group or not.
Free-agent signing Amik Robertson is generally known as a slot cornerback, and for good reason. He has played a ton inside and has done well in those endeavors. That said, he’s versatile enough to play outside as well.
While OTAs are a time where we’ll see mixing and matching, and...
