Commanders Wrap Minicamp: 4 Players Making Waves Ahead of Training Camp

As the curtains have now closed on minicamp, the Commanders are heading into a six-week offseason break before training camp kicks off. 

Although the players will be getting rest, the fans have a lot to be gearing up for, based on the work put in at minicamp.

“Maybe at some places, throughout the years, the end of a minicamp might have felt like one foot out the door,” said Head Coach Dan Quinn. “What I felt was cool for me to watch from afar, is the connection the team has had for one another. 

Abdullah Konte/WINDMV

Check out four players who made waves in the offseason and to look out for in the season ahead. 

Wide Receiver Luke McCaffrey

A former third-rounder, Luke McCaffrey is turning heads this offseason making promise of ongoing production. 

Quinn highlighted McCaffrey’s significant growth, including “the detail and footwork” of his elite route running, which was on full display throughout minicamp. 

“He is very tough-minded,” Quinn said. “It was so evident of the work that he put in during his time away from here. To see that come to life, I didn’t really need to see what the competitor was. I already knew this guy is an absolute dog.”  

The wide receiver beat cornerback Marshon Lattimore in 7-on-7s, secured a sideline reception against safety Tyler Owens, and topped it all off with multiple catch-and-run touchdowns. 

“Deion Sanders is doing what every former Black NFL star who coaches should do…Go to an HBCU…get top national recruits…build a program and level the playing field…change HBCU football forever,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

From program revamps to standout HBCU alums stepping into prominent roles, and players having the opportunity to gain valuable support and embark on new forms of player development, the buzz in the air is becoming undeniable. With his development clearly turning heads, plus his exciting skills, McCaffrey could potentially become a powerhouse in the offseason and beyond. 

Wide Receiver Chris Moore

With almost a decade into his NFL career, Chris Moore is continuing to make a statement. 

The veteran wide receiver secured several highlight receptions throughout minicamp, including deep catches over defensive back Car’lin Vigers and cornerback Trey Amos. 

With Noah Brown sidelined, Moore is emerging to be a reliable depth option for Washington. He is truly a contender on offense ready to battle. 

Cornerback Mike Sainristil 

Mike Sainristil is proving that he is more than just a rotational piece to Washington’s board. He is making a strong case to be a legitimate starter. With Lattimore making his return and new additions in the secondary, Sainristil’s versatility and elite instincts are shining on the field. 

He broke up a pass intended for wide receiver Deebo Samuel during a two-minute drill and consistently kept pace with top targets. 

While his field positioning for this upcoming season is still to be determined, Lattimore is already proving that he can handle the massive hardware that is coming his way. 

“I feel good. This year it’s about being able to stack on what happened last year and… to make that second year jump,” said Sainristil. “I think this is a crucial time in my career for what they say about going from that first to second year. So just making sure that I do everything and anything I can to be a better version of myself.” 

Cornerback Trey Amos

Questions arose about Trey Amos’ health during rookie minicamp, amid a back issue that came during pre-draft medicals. This became a key factor into why the cornerback slid to No. 61 overall. Given Lattimore’s injury history, the concerns were oddly familiar for fans as the offseason progressed. 

“Each team has their own medical report and how it goes,” said Quinn. “From our club it was something that we were comfortable with.” 

But Amos quickly quieted the noise, shutting down doubts with aggressiveness and a precise style of coverage. 

Quinn confirmed the concern with Amos’ back issues. However, the front office remained confident, seeing Amos as a long-term piece to Washington’s puzzle. He looked ready to make an impact on minicamp as a boundary defender. 

While his health became a concern in the start of his career, Amos may have potentially been a draft steal for Washington. Overall, Coach Quinn is looking forward to training camp at the 2025-2026 season.

“I love that we came back like really hungry to prove it,” said Quinn. “And that’s I think a good sign as opposed to letting your skills go down or your eyes not as sharp. So to come in with things specific to work on to go get better, that was big for me.”

Abdullah Konte/WINDMV

With programs reaching new heights and competition intensifying, the upcoming season could mark the beginning of a new era of growth for HBCU stature, especially within the NFL draft. 

“Every HBCU player that gets drafted or signed to play in any professional football league is progress,” Gerald Huggins, director of football operations and video coordinator at Morgan State University, wrote on X in 2023.