Here are the key training camp battles to watch for the Washington Commanders in 2026:
RB — Three-headed committee fight. The backfield is wide open between Rachaad White (pass-catching vet, averaged 51 rec/year), incumbent Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and rookie Kaytron Allen (6th-round power runner, Penn State's all-time leading rusher). All three are roster locks, so camp will determine who gets the first shot to lead. (from the Rachaad White and Kaytron Allen pages)
WR2/Slot — Antonio Williams vs. Luke McCaffrey (plus possible veteran addition). With Deebo Samuel gone and ~150 targets vacated, third-round rookie Antonio Williams has already been named the projected starting slot receiver by GM Adam Peters — and head coach Dan Quinn called him a rookie who "absolutely jumped out" in minicamp. Luke McCaffrey ran only 39.6% of his routes from the slot in 2025, so Williams has a clear path. The wild card: Washington is still chasing a veteran like Stefon Diggs or Brandon Aiyuk, which could shake up the WR room entirely. (from the Antonio Williams and Commanders team pages)
TE1 — Chig Okonkwo is locked in. Not really a battle here — Okonkwo signed to take over after Zach Ertz's injury and is the clear starter. He posted career highs in 2025 (56 rec, 560 yards) and fits OC David Blough's play-action scheme perfectly. Barring injury, the TE1 job is his. (from the Chig Okonkwo page)
Defensive overhaul — lots of new faces, not many defined roles. The defense ranked 30th against the run and 29th against the pass in 2025, so the team brought in Sonny Styles (1st-round rookie), Odafe Oweh, Charles Omenihu, and Leo Chenal. Where exactly everyone fits on the depth chart — especially along the defensive line and in the secondary — will be sorted out in camp under new DC Daronte Jones. (from the Commanders team page)
If you're drafting a Commanders player, the RB battle has the most fantasy impact — whoever emerges as the lead back could be a late-round steal, especially with Rachaad White's PPR history.