Each preseason, NFL teams are looking to add new, younger players to their roster.
The Commanders are, of course, no exception, looking to replace a couple of veterans with younger players. It is cheaper, providing you with salary cap space you are going to need once injuries begin to occur. Secondly, the NFL is a brutal game, and players’ bodies, over time, wear down.
When it comes to receivers, the Commanders are looking for that player or two that can make their roster or can be developed during the season on the practice squad. It’s no secret. Every team is trying to be developing some guys that can help you later.
Not only are the wide receivers having to adjust to the talent in the defensive backfield being much better than they faced in college, but they are also having to learn Eric Bieniemy’s offense he has brought from Kansas City.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was asked Sunday about his receivers competing for the final spots. Here are the highlights from Friday.
“I think it’s a very competitive young group of guys. We feel that we’ve got a good young core of guys that are competing for a position. Mitch (Tinsley) has done a really nice job. There’s a number of them that have really come out and done some good things. I think when you look at them as a whole and for what they’ve had to learn this year compared to some of the other things, that group of guys has really done a nice job.”
Another undrafted free agent attempting to make an impression is former UCLA Bruin, 5-8 176-pound Kazmier Allen. When Rivera was asked about Allen’s play Friday, Allen looked interesting. So Rivera responded:
“Interesting. I think that’s a good word; I really do. He’s a young dynamic guy that’s got some explosion to him. He’s got a lot to learn; he really does, because he kind of bounced around positions at UCLA, but the one thing that did stand out, obviously, is he is explosive. But as I said, he’s got a long way to go. He really does. He’s a guy that’s going to take some time, but we do like him and we do find him interesting and intriguing.”
The Commanders are returning Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown and Dax Milne. Kyric McGowen was in camp last season, is again competing for a spot.
Newcomers at receiver fighting for spots are Tinsley, Allen, Zion Bowens, Marcus Kemp, Byron Pringle, Jalen Sample, and Brycen Tremayne.