Daily Slop – 5 Jul 25

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Commanders links

Articles

Walter Football

Washington Rookie Forecast 2025

Most Likely To Bust

NONE

The Commanders were without a third-round pick, and I do not think that Josh Conerly Jr. or Trey Amos are likely to be busts. Players drafted on day three aren’t real busts if they don’t stick in the NFL, as the vast majority of day three picks do not make it as professionals. Thus, I don’t see a player with true bust potential from the Commanders’ draft class.

• 2024: Ben Sinnott, TE
• 2023: Ricky Stromberg, C
• 2022: Brian Robinson, RB
• 2021: Benjamin St-Juste, CB
• 2020: Antonio Gibson, RB
• 2019: Wes Martin, G
• 2018: Troy Apke, S
• 2017: Monte Nicholson, S
• 2016: Su’a Cravens, S
• 2015: Matt Jones, RB
• 2014: Spencer Long, G
• 2013: Chris Thompson, RB

Solid Starter

Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon – Round 1

In the short term, Conerly can compete with Brandon Coleman for the starting right tackle position. Conerly could also kick inside to compete at guard. In time, I think Conerly will add some strength and could turn into a quality starting tackle for Washington at either left or right tackle.

• 2024: Johnny Newton, DT
• 2023: Quan Martin, S
• 2022: Phidarian Mathis, DT
• 2021: Sam Cosmi, OT
• 2020: Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR
• 2019: Dwayne Haskins, QB
• 2018: Da’Ron Payne, DT
• 2017: Ryan Anderson, LB
• 2016: Josh Doctson, WR
• 2015: Preston Smith, DE
• 2014: Trent Murphy, DE
• 2013: Phillip Thomas, S

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Commanders.com

Commanders 2025 training camp preview | Offensive line

• Which players will start at guard? For all the moving parts on the offensive line, we already know how two positions will look in 2025: Tunsil will start at left tackle, while Biadasz will remain at center. Everything else is up for grabs, and that is particularly true at both guard spots. Obviously, Cosmi would fill one of those spots when he gets healthy (more on that later), but for now, someone must take his place. Coleman, who started games for TCU at left guard, was bumped inside for OTAs and could stay there long-term. Coleman has a guard’s size with a tackle’s quickness, and that versatility does benefit the Commanders as they figure out a starting lineup. Allegretti was the starting left guard last season and could move over to the right, but the Commanders also signed Herbig, who has 30 career starts, could also compete for a spot with his 6-foot-4, 334-pound frame. Any changes on the right would be temporary until Cosmi’s return, but with how much the Commanders like to run the ball (they had the sixth-most carries in the NFL) it can’t hurt to make sure their depth players get snaps with the rest of the starters.
• When will Sam Cosmi come back? We know that Cosmi has been doing “excellent” with his recovery, according to head coach Dan Quinn, but there still isn’t a timetable for when he will return from the ACL injury he suffered in the playoffs. Cosmi took another step in his development during his second season as a guard in the NFL, and the Commanders clearly view him as a long-term answer, as they gave him a contract extension before the 2024 season. He helped the Commanders put together a top-five rushing attack and received the third best pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus on the team. Assuming he continues to hit all his markers, it is expected that Cosmi will return at some point in the season. Until then, Washington will need to rely on its other options at guard.
• When will Josh Conerly be ready? The Commanders were thrilled when Conerly was available with the 29th overall pick. He was one of the best pass protectors in college football over the last two seasons and has already impressed his coaches with his quickness and ability to grasp the system. They want him to earn a spot, though, and he is competing with several veterans both at right tackle, where Wylie is the presumptive starter, and guard. As impressive as Conerly has been so far, he also still needs to clean up some of his technique to compete with NFL caliber pass-rushers. Perhaps the Commanders will implement a similar strategy to what they had last season with Coleman, who split reps with Cornelius Lucas before taking over full-time. It won’t be easy for Conerly to earn a spot as a rookie, but if he shows progress in camp, the Commanders will find a spot for him.

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Riggo’s Rag

Jaylin Lane is forcing the issue, and Commanders fans have taken note

The Commanders took Jaylin Lane at No. 128 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. This was far lower than his projection, according to most analysts, which hints that Washington might have another gem on its hands. And being overlooked for so long in the process lit a fire within the wideout that’s only growing larger.

To say that Lane hit the ground running this offseason would be an understatement. The former Virginia Tech star was nothing short of relentless, catching the eye through his unique blend of speed, elusiveness, and exceptional footwork. He’s a route technician capable of making an impact at all three levels of the field. And the sooner Kliff Kingsbury finds a way to involve him, the better his offense will be.

Lane got plenty of chances to impress with Noah Brown, Michael Gallup, and contract holdout Terry McLaurin all missing time during Washington’s offseason program. The rookie took full advantage, and it’s given the coaching staff no option other than to rotate him with the starting unit moving forward.

This was just the first objective for Lane. He’s going to do whatever it takes to get involved. Whether it’s on the offensive rotation, as a decoy stretching the field, or in the kick return game, all he wants is to be part of something special and thrive in whatever task he’s given. And if he keeps up these performance levels when things get heated at training camp, he’ll be more than deserving of the involvement coming his way.

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Commanders Wire

Terry McLaurin doesn’t appear concerned about his contract ahead of training camp

Terry McLaurin still has yet to receive a contract extension from Washington.

Recent reports suggest the negotiations aren’t necessarily in a good place. However, McLaurin doesn’t appear concerned. A vacationing McLaurin shared an image of himself on Instagram on Wednesday, and he seemed happy.

No, the Commanders and McLaurin have not agreed to a new deal. We’ve maintained all along that the two sides will agree to a deal before the season, and there’s a good chance it gets done before camp begins. The two sides may be in a cooling-off period before negotiations ramp back up before camp begins. As the old saying goes, deadlines spur action.

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Podcasts & videos

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NFC East links

Giants.com

Cover 3: Biggest question remaining for Giants

The Giants.com crew members discuss the biggest question for the team heading into training camp, which begins in three weeks.

John Schmeelk: My thoughts still go back to the quarterback position, but not in the way some fans might be thinking about it. Russell Wilson is the team’s starting quarterback. The team needs the stability that he brings to the position in terms of leadership, organizing the offense, and getting the team into the right plays. The confidence the team has in him was palpable throughout the spring. Physically, his arm and deep ball are still more than good enough to succeed in the NFL.

I need to see if Wilson, coupled with the Giants’ scheme and offensive line, can get his sack rate down a bit. Last year, Wilson had an 8.9% sack rate, which was fifth-highest in the league, only better than Jalen Hurts and three young quarterbacks (Will Levis, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye).

If the Giants can get Wilson’s sack rate down to the 7% range, which would put him towards the middle of the league in the neighborhood of Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow, and Dak Prescott, the offense will have a real chance to be excellent.

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All aTwitter

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