Commanders final roster projection: Who will make the final cut as training camp ends?

BALTIMORE — For the second time in three days, the Commanders got a measuring stick for where they stand against one of the league’s best.

And, for the second time, Washington got a resounding answer. It is far away from the Ravens and might just be far away from fixing its biggest issues ahead of the regular season.

Baltimore piled up 274 yards of offense before halftime as the Commanders barely inched over 50. The running game averaged 1.5 yards per carry in the first half, and the offensive line racked up false starts.

Most damning, the Commanders had just one first down before the intermission as they lost 41-3 in the final preseason game. Baltimore finished with 456 yards of offense.

It only heightened the worries from the joint practice Wednesday, when Washington’s offense was in disarray. The pass protection and run blocking were so suspect that the Commanders struggled to get off plays.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels seemed resigned to the reality that he may just have to work around the issues up front.

“I’m out here with who’s out here at the end of the day,” he said Wednesday.

Roster cuts come Sunday and, after that, Washington will be scouring the waiver wire to see if it can add any veterans to the line.

Here is our final 53-man roster projection ahead of cut day.

Offense

Quarterbacks (3)

Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Athan Kaliakmanis

There’s been movement here since our last roster projection. A few weeks ago, we said backups Athan Kaliakmanis and Sam Hartman hadn’t made compelling cases to justify taking three quarterbacks, especially not with a roster crunch at so many other positions.

But Kaliakmanis changed the calculus with his performance in three preseason games. He pushes the ball downfield, is mobile in the pocket and shows a propensity to make big plays. Washington’s seventh-round rookie seems to have done enough to warrant a spot. He could be the backup of the future as Mariota creeps up in age. Could he win games now if forced to be the No. 2? That’s a legitimate debate with Mariota injured. But he could fit at QB3.

Running backs (3)

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Kaytron Allen

Robert Henry Jr. had a stellar debut. Since then, the undrafted rookie hasn’t produced. He had a fumble on a kickoff return in Detroit and another in the joint practice. So, to make room for Kaliakmanis and others, I have Henry off the initial 53-man roster. He will likely clear waivers and land on the practice squad.

Another notable absence here is Jeremy McNichols. The veteran hasn’t been healthy the last few weeks as he deals with a quadriceps injury.

Wide receivers (7)

Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, Antonio Williams, Dyami Brown

Dyami Brown was off our first 53-man roster due to a numbers game. Since then, he has created buzz in training camp. He also sat the final preseason game, along with many of Washington’s other protected players.

With the offensive line shake-ups, the team might take fewer linemen than normal on the initial 53-man and add veterans after cuts. That would give it room to take an extra receiver Sunday night.

Regardless, Van Jefferson appears to be the odd man out. Washington could go to seven but definitely not eight.

Tight ends (4)

Chig Okonkwo, Colson Yankoff, John Bates, Ben Sinnott

No changes for the tight end position. Yankoff continues to have a strong training camp, and the other three are entrenched.

Offensive line (8)

Nick Allegretti, Brandon Coleman, Chris Paul, Josh Conerly Jr., Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie, Trent Scott, Matt Gulbin

Washington likely needs to add experience to the offensive line after cuts. Will there be a veteran, particularly at center, it could sign? The Commanders gave Julian Good-Jones a long look at center, but it hasn’t worked out. Recently, sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin took his turn, not faring much better. Allegretti is supposed to come back, but he’s barely played in training camp. Washington needs more.

Defense

Interior defensive line (5)

Javon Kinlaw, Charles Omenihu, Daron Payne, Shy Tuttle, Tim Settle Jr.

Jer’Zhan Newton is out for the foreseeable future with a torn pectoral muscle. He had surgery in New York and started rehab in Washington. It opens a roster spot for Shy Tuttle, Ricky Barber or Byron Cowart. Barber had a strong camp, and Cowart had some moments. But Tuttle probably has been the most consistent player on the interior.

Outside linebackers/edge (5)

Odafe Oweh, Deatrich Wise, K’Lavon Chaisson, Joshua Josephs, Javontae Jean-Baptiste

Dorance Armstrong is facing a one-game suspension, opening a spot on the initial 53-man roster that normally wouldn’t be there. Javontae Jean-Baptiste was the odd man out in the first roster projection. He gets the nod now.

Inside linebackers (5)

Sonny Styles, Leo Chenal, Frankie Luvu, Jordan Magee, Kain Medrano

No changes to this position. Kain Medrano makes the cut thanks to his strong play in the Baltimore joint practice and his special teams contributions. Ale Kaho also put together a good camp, but it might be hard to be better than Medrano.

Corners (5)

Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, Rasul Douglas, Fabian Moreau

Fabian Moreau has a strong connection with defensive coordinator Darante Jones, and it is hard to see him not making the roster. Antonio Williams had some moments but not enough to get on the final 53.

Safeties (5)

Nick Cross, Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves, Tyler Owens, Percy Butler

Big changes to this room with Will Harris on the move. A starter last year, Harris was released this week as the roster math changed. Owens and Butler started to make plays on defense. They were already special teams aces. So Harris was on the outside looking in. A bad game against Detroit didn’t help his cause.

Special teams (3)

Drew Stevens (K), Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott (LS)

Stevens wins the kicking job after Jake Moody struggled the whole camp.