After nine days of training camp, the Washington Commanders have learned some things about the roster they spent months building. Some of what they have learned has led to signing more players; some has shown why they are in the building. Stefon Diggs, Daniel Brunskill, Nicholas Petit-Frere and Fabian Moreau have joined the roster since the first projection, while Nick Bellore, Ahkello Witherspoon, and D.J. Davidson have retired.Before training camp began, back in July, we made some more in-depth roster projections that you can take a look at by clicking here. That said, after nine days of training camp, it’s time to update our 53-man roster projection based on what we’ve seen so far.Quarterback (2)Jul 29, 2026; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) stands on the field during a drill on day one of training camp at BigBear.ai Performance Center at Commanders Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectJayden Daniels, Marcus MariotaJayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota are names you were always going to see here, but the real competition at quarterback is the battle behind them. Athan Kaliakmanis and Sam Hartman are competing for developmental value and possibly a practice squad role that could eventually shape the team's backup position.Running Back (4)Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Kaytron Allen, Jeremy McNicholsThe argument to keep this group of four has only been strengthened since camp began. The only thing to add here since the last projection is that Kaytron Allen's case for the 53 got even better the moment the pads came out. He seeks out contact and looks to run through the defender. Rachaad White is the underrated receiving back, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt added some muscle this offseason and remains the incumbent with the highest ceiling for an expanded role, even though this group still feels like a running back-by-committee approach.Wide Receiver (7)Washington Commanders wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin greet each other during Friday’s training camp practice in Ashburn, Va. | HTTR4LIFE LLCTerry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Luke McCaffrey, Antonio Williams, Treylon Burks, Jaylin Lane, Dyami BrownThe obvious change here from the first projection is the addition of Stefon Diggs, who answers the question, "Who will be WR2," without leaving any doubt. Diggs’ arrival shifts the competition under the top two rather than eliminating it, with Luke McCaffrey, Antonio Williams, Jaylin Lane, Dyami Brown, and Treylon Burks all showing enough value to still be included. Another change from the first projection: we're going with seven receivers here now instead of six. The roster math shifted the moment LB Nick Bellore retired.Jaden Bradley and Van Jefferson sit just outside this group.Tight End (4)Nov 16, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Washington Commanders tight end Colson Yankoff (80) carries the ball defended by Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) in the first quarterduring the 2025 NFL Madrid Game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectChig Okonkwo, John Bates, Ben Sinnott, Colson YankoffWhile there are no changes here, the biggest storyline involving the tight ends has been John Bates' injury and the opportunities that have followed for players further down the depth chart. The player who has benefited most overall from Bates' injury is Ben Sinnott, but Lawrence Cager has become a player more people recognize based solely on the number of targets and attention he is getting now. If the team decides to keep four tight ends, he will give Colson Yankoff a run for his money.Offensive Line (9)Sam Cosmi, Chris Paul, Daniel Brunskill, Nick Allegretti, Matt Gulbin, Brandon Coleman, Josh Conerly Jr., Andrew Wylie, Trent ScottThe offensive line has been the position group that has changed the most since the first 53-man roster projection. The biggest situation obviously centers around Laremy Tunsil's torn triceps, which will keep him out for an undetermined amount of time. With Brandon Coleman and Josh Conerly Jr. as the projected starting tackles for now, and Sam Cosmi at right guard, Chris Paul becomes the most obvious beneficiary at left guard on a completely shuffled line.Nicholas Petit-Frere, Max Scharping, and Daniel Brunskill bring experience and versatility; all three players were signed Saturday and are expected to find their way into the rotation in some form during the preseason. Edge Rusher (4)Odafe Oweh has been balling first 2 days of camp… Feels good to have a good pass rush this year. pic.twitter.com/w1884skuoO— Zac (@DCzWall) July 30, 2026Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, Dorance Armstrong, Joshua JosephsAs camp marches through its second week, the roster battles being put in along the trenches are notable, and the disruption K'Lavon Chaisson has been causing has shifted the conversation from whether he belongs to how large his role will be. The top three is now a lot tougher with Dorance Armstrong back on the practice field, and the moment the pads came out, Joshua Josephs was able to show what he can produce off contact.Defensive Tackle (5)Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, Tim Settle, Jer'Zhan Newton, Charles OmenihuJul 29, 2026; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Charles Omenihu (90) works on a blocking sled on day one of training camp at BigBear.ai Performance Center at Commanders Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThis group is less about cutdown drama and more about how Daronte Jones distributes snaps among several players capable of filling different roles across the defensive front. Daron Payne has looked quite impressive in camp this year as he heads into a contract year. The real story here may be in what role Charles Omenihu plays in the defense, as he can play all four spots on the line.Jer'Zhan (Johnny) Newton is a name to watch. If he can put together an impressive season, the Commanders may find themselves in a sticky situation next year when it's time to pay Payne.Linebacker (5)Sonny Styles, Frankie Luvu, Leo Chenal, Jordan Magee, Kain MedranoNick Bellore's retirement dropped the roster math on this position from six to five. The loss of Bellore’s special-teams role is more significant than simply deleting one linebacker from the roster, because Washington must replace those snaps somewhere among the younger players it keeps. That said, Jordan Magee and Kain Medrano now have the best chances of earning the responsibilities he previously held.Cornerback (5)Trey Amos, Rasul Douglas, Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, Fabian MoreauThe biggest change here is that Fabian Moreau has replaced the now-retired Ahkello Witherspoon, and Trey Amos has finally returned from the PUP, giving Washington another opportunity to determine exactly how Douglas, Sainristil, Robertson, and Amos fit together.Safety (5)Nick Cross, Quan Martin, Will Harris, Jeremy Reaves, Malik SpencerBased strictly on in-practice performance, Malik Spencer deserves the last spot over Percy Butler. At the same time, if you bring in the complete snapshot that includes experience and roster value, it will be hard to leave Butler off the final 53.Malik Spencer got 🆙@SeatGeek | @43kilam pic.twitter.com/jwkFuWNtnK— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 30, 2026Special Teams (3)Washington Commanders kicker Drew Stevens walks alongside holder Matt Haack after converting a field goal during Tuesday’s training camp practice in Ashburn, Virginia. | HTTR4LIFE LLC/ScreenshotDrew Stevens, Tress Way, Tyler OttThe shift here from the first projection is at place kicker, with Drew Stevens seizing control of the battle up to this point. Jake Moody is still in it, but he needs to focus and make it his mission to be perfect in the preseason. Stevens was 34-for-36 through eight practices, while Moody was 28-for-35 and has accumulated all seven of his misses over the last three kicking sessions (at the time of publication).The place-kicker competition is not over yet; preseason pressure is much different than practice.Overall, outside of the Laremy Tunsil injury, the roster is in a better place now than it was when training camp opened. The first real test will come when they line up for joint practices on Wednesday against the Dolphins. To look at the original 53-man roster projections that included a more in-depth look into each group, CLICK HERE.Sign up for our free newsletter and follow the Burgundy & Gold on Facebook and the Commanders on SI on X for the latest news. You can also subscribe to our Facebook Messenger News Channel, which is the fastest and easiest way to actually see our articles while on any Meta product.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow