Position Battles are all part of football. The Washington Commanders are heading into their 2026 training camp with a lot of excitement and high hopes.
This is because they had a forgettable season in 2025 due to injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels and others. Now, their head coach, Dan Quinn, and general manager Adam Peters have been working hard to make the team even better. They’ve been adding some experienced players, keeping some of their key guys, and bringing in some new talented players from the draft.
As the team prepares to start training, some positions are already filled, but a few key spots are still up for grabs. Commander’s position battles could make a big difference in Washington’s ability to compete for the top spot in the NFC East.
Let’s take a look at the top five position battles to keep an eye on when the Commanders head to Ashburn.
1. Running Back: Bill Croskey-Merritt vs. Rachaad White vs. Kaytron Allen
This may be the most intriguing position battle on the entire roster. And it mainly because there is no lead dog in the house as of now per Commanders running back coach Anthony Lynn
Bill Croskey-Merritt emerged as one of Washington’s biggest surprises in 2025, showcasing explosiveness, vision, and the ability to handle a significant workload despite missing his final season at Arizona. However, the Commanders added veteran Rachaad White during the offseason and selected Penn State standout Kaytron Allen in the 2026 NFL Draft, creating a crowded and talented backfield.
White brings proven pass-catching ability and experience in pass protection, making him a valuable weapon on third downs. Allen arrives with a physical, downhill running style that fits exactly what Washington wants to establish offensively. The rookie’s combination of power, balance, and vision could quickly earn him goal-line and short-yardage opportunities.
Meanwhile, Croskey-Merritt enters camp noticeably bigger and stronger and will join a new look offense that best fits his skill set with the zone blocking scheme.
Expect all three backs to have roles, but training camp will determine who receives the first opportunity to lead the backfield when the regular season begins.
Battle Favorite: Bill Croskey-Merritt
2. Wide Receiver: Who Emerges Behind Terry McLaurin?
While Terry McLaurin remains the unquestioned leader of Washington’s receiving corps, one of the biggest storylines entering training camp revolves around the uncertainty surrounding Brandon Aiyuk.
It’s been over a year now that people have been talking about Aiyuk possibly going to Washington, with rumors of a trade going back and forth , to even now talks of him being released the first day of 49ers training camp come late July.
But for now, everyone is waiting to see what will happen with San Francisco. If things don’t work out, Washington might be contend with what they have in the room.
The team’s current receivers have a chance to show they can make big plays with Jayden Daniels leading the way. They want to prove they have enough talent to make a difference, and this could be their opportunity to step up and show what they can do. This position battle could eventually go down to the wire of late august.
The Commanders strengthened the position this offseason by bringing back Dyami Brown and signing veteran Van Jefferson in free agency. Both players provide experience, reliability, and veteran leadership to a room that already features several young playmakers.
Washington made another move by signing Treylon Burks to a one-year contract. This guy was a first-round pick, but he’s had a tough time staying on the field due to injuries. However, when he’s healthy, he’s definitely flashes some of the attributes that had him deemed a first rounder in 2022. If he can manage to avoid getting hurt, he could be a really important player in the offense led by David Blough.
The battle for the top spot behind McLaurin is going to be intense. Luke McCaffrey, now in his third year, is aiming to take his game to the next level, and rookie Antonio Williams is expected to make a big splash right from the start.
Meanwhile, Jaylin Lane’s lightning-quick speed and ability to play multiple roles make him a strong contender for special teams and offensive packages – it’s going to be interesting to see how he contributes. With so much talent in the mix, the competition is going to bring out the best in all of them.
Whether Washington eventually lands a marquee name like Aiyuk or moves forward with its current group, training camp will determine who earns Daniels’ trust and secures meaningful offensive snaps.
Battle Favorite: Antonio Williams
3. Left Guard: Chris Paul vs. Brandon Coleman
For Washington’s offense, keeping Jayden Daniels safe is the main goal, so the competition for the left guard spot is really important during training camp. This position battle is crucial because it helps protect the quarterback, and Washington needs to find the best player for the job to keep Daniels safe and successful.
It’s interesting to look at what happened with the team’s lineup last season. Brandon Coleman was supposed to be the starting left guard, and the coaches thought he was perfect for the job because he’s athletic, strong, and can play in different ways. But then some players got hurt, giving Chris Paul a chance to step in and show what he could do. And once he got in there, he did a great job and never gave up his spot.
Paul really made the most of his chance, bringing some much-needed stability to the offensive line and winning over the coaching staff with his consistent performance. As the season came to a close, it was clear that what had started as a temporary fill-in role had turned into a position that Paul could call his own, and it would take a lot for someone to take it away from him.
As things stand now, both players have a real shot at landing the starting spot when they head into training camp.
Coleman has a lot of potential for the future. He’s really good at moving around and getting to the defenders quickly, which makes him a great fit for the team’s strategy. He can play well in both zone and power concepts, which is a big plus. The Commanders have invested a lot of time and the draft capital in helping him improve, and they still believe he’ll be an important part of their team for a long time. With him and Laremy Tunsil on the left side, they’ve got a strong combination that could do some great things.
Paul has a clear edge in experience and a track record of delivering results. He’s already demonstrated that he’s capable of performing at a high level as a starter and has a deep understanding of what it takes to be a key player on Washington’s offensive line, which is a big plus in his favor.
I expected this position battle to be based on who is the most consistent throughout the season
Battle Favorite: Brandon Coleman
4. Safety: Quan Martin vs. Will Harris
One of the more underrated position battles on the roster will take place in the secondary.
Nick Cross has a good chance of getting one of the starting safety positions when training camp starts. This means Quan Martin and Will Harris, who have been playing for a while, will have to compete to see who gets to play alongside Nick Cross.
Martin is getting another chance with the team after a tough 2025 season, but they still have his back. He’s shown he can play in different positions, which is a big plus. When Daronte Jones came on board as the defensive coordinator, he even mentioned Martin’s name, so that’s a good sign. The fact that Martin can cover deep, play in the slot, and make big plays on the ball makes him a really valuable player for Washington’s defense. He could be a key part of their strategy, and it’ll be interesting to see how he does this season. With his versatility, he can help in many areas, which is what the team needs.
Will Harris has extensive NFL experience and can play multiple positions as well. He can play safety, nickel corner, and do a lot on defense, which is really helpful to the defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones. Harris is also a veteran leader who communicates well, which can help improve the defense. But he got hurt and broke his fibula, so he didn’t play much last season, and we don’t know how well he’ll do this year. This is a concern because we don’t have much information about how he’ll perform.
In the end, consistency will likely be the deciding factor, and whoever can work best with Cross will come out on top. Either way, both players are expected to see a lot of action on the field this season, regardless of who starts.
Battle Favorite: Quan Martin
5. Kicker: Jake Moody vs. Drew Stevens
No other position battle can be as pressured as this one; the weight of the entire outcome rests on it.
At some points, the team is gonna have to figure out the kicker position right?
The Commanders are looking for a kicker they can count on for a long time, so they got Jake Moody. But Drew Stevens, a new player, is coming to camp and wants to try out for the job. He can kick the ball really far, and people are already talking about how good he is at making long kicks.
Moody is going into the camp with a lot of people thinking he’ll come out on top, and that’s because he’s already played in the NFL and shown he can handle tough situations. But what will really matter is if he can perform well all the time, because that’s what will decide who wins the competition in the end.
The coaching staff will closely monitor every field goal attempt during training camp and the preseason. In a league where a single possession often decides games, this battle could have a direct impact on Washington’s playoff aspirations.
Battle Favorite: Jake Moody*
*Moody enters camp as the favorite based on NFL experience, but Drew Stevens will have every opportunity to challenge for the job throughout training camp and preseason.
