So, let's just get the elephant out of the room first. If you are searching for a Washington Redskins football depth chart, you’re basically looking at a ghost. That name? It hasn't been on an official NFL roster since the summer of 2020.
Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago.
Since then, the franchise has been through the "Washington Football Team" era—which was a weirdly clinical placeholder—and finally settled into being the Washington Commanders. It’s 2026 now, and while some folks still have the old gear buried in their closets, the actual depth chart is a completely different beast than the one most people remember from the burgundy-and-gold glory days.
The Jayden Daniels Era is Officially Here
The most important name on the 2026 depth chart is, without a doubt, Jayden Daniels. He’s the undisputed QB1. If you haven't been keeping up, the kid basically saved the franchise's identity. He’s 25 now, in his third year, and he’s transformed how this team plays.
The backup situation is a bit of a "veteran insurance" policy. You've got Marcus Mariota and the ageless Josh Johnson sitting there. Basically, if Daniels goes down, the plan is "don't crash the car." But make no mistake, this offense is built entirely around Daniels' ability to scramble and hit the deep ball.
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Who is catching the ball?
Terry McLaurin. Still.
"Scary Terry" is 30 now, but he’s still the alpha. He’s the guy who stuck through the name changes, the ownership drama, and about fifteen different quarterbacks. On the current depth chart, he’s flanked by some interesting pieces:
- Deebo Samuel: Yeah, that was a huge move. Having him as a hybrid threat makes the "Commanders" offense actually live up to the name.
- Treylon Burks: He's the WR2/WR3 swing guy.
- Luke McCaffrey: He's carving out a real role in the slot.
The tight end room is basically the "Ben Sinnott Show." He’s the young guy everyone is hyped about, with John Bates acting as the heavy-lifting blocker. It’s a balanced group, but it lacks that "true superstar" second option beyond McLaurin and Deebo.
The Trenches: Protecting the Investment
You can't talk about a depth chart without looking at the O-line. For years, Washington fans complained—rightfully so—that the line was a sieve.
Things changed when they snagged Laremy Tunsil. Having a cornerstone left tackle changed the entire math for the offense.
The Starting Five:
- LT: Laremy Tunsil
- LG: Chris Paul (with Brandon Coleman pushing him hard)
- C: Tyler Biadasz
- RG: Sam Cosmi (The dude is a Pro-Bowler, no question)
- RT: Josh Conerly Jr.
It's a solid group. Cosmi is arguably the most underrated player on the entire roster. He’s the engine of the run game. Speaking of running, the depth chart at RB is a bit of a "hot hand" situation. Jacory Croskey-Merritt—or "Bill" as the fans call him—has kind of leapfrogged the veterans. He’s got that vision you just can't teach. Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the hammer for short-yardage, and Chase Edmonds is the third-down specialist.
That Defensive Front Though
The "Redskins" of old were known for the Hogs on offense, but the Commanders are trying to make the "D-Line" their brand.
Daron Payne is still the anchor in the middle. He’s 28, in his prime, and just a massive human being. Next to him, you’ve got Javon Kinlaw and the young phenom Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton.
The edge is where it gets spicy. Preston Smith is back in the DMV, providing that veteran presence. But everyone is looking at the linebackers. Bobby Wagner is 35 and still out-positioning guys ten years younger than him. He’s paired with Frankie Luvu, who is basically a heat-seeking missile.
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The Secondary: A Work in Progress
If there’s a weak spot on this 2026 depth chart, it’s the corners. Jonathan Jones and Mike Sainristil are the starters. Sainristil is a dog—he plays much bigger than his size—but they lack a true "shutdown" island corner.
At safety, Quan Martin has developed into a really reliable free safety. He’s the deep centerfielder that allows the linebackers to be aggressive.
The Coaching Shakeup
You can't look at the players without the guys calling the plays. Dan Quinn is still the man at the top, but the 2026 offseason brought some drama.
They parted ways with Kliff Kingsbury. It was a surprise to some, but the offense felt like it hit a ceiling. Now, David Blough has been promoted to Offensive Coordinator. It’s a bold move. He’s young, he was just a backup QB a couple of years ago, but the team loves his mind. To help him out, they brought in D.J. Williams (son of the legend Doug Williams) to coach the quarterbacks.
It feels like a "circle of life" moment for the franchise.
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Why the "Redskins" Search Still Happens
People search for the old name because that’s where the history is. Three Super Bowls. The Fun Bunch. Joe Gibbs.
But the reality of the Washington Commanders depth chart in 2026 is about new money and new ownership. Josh Harris has cleaned up the culture. Northwest Stadium (formerly FedEx Field) is actually a place people want to go again.
The transition wasn't easy. It was messy. It was corporate. But when you see Jayden Daniels hit McLaurin for a 50-yard bomb, the name on the jersey starts to matter a lot less than the product on the field.
Key Takeaways for Fans
- QB Stability: For the first time in decades, Washington has a "franchise" guy in Jayden Daniels who isn't just a bridge.
- O-Line Fix: The addition of Tunsil and the growth of Cosmi has turned a weakness into a legitimate strength.
- Youth Movement: Watch out for Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Ben Sinnott; these are the guys who will define the next five years.
- Coaching Risk: Promoting David Blough is a "high-variance" move that will either make Dan Quinn look like a genius or cost him his job by 2027.
If you’re tracking this team for fantasy or just because you’re a die-hard, focus on the health of the offensive line. As long as Tunsil and Cosmi are upright, Jayden Daniels has the "cheat code" ability to keep Washington at the top of the NFC East.
Keep an eye on the defensive coordinator search too. With rumors of Brian Flores potentially coming in, this defense could go from "good" to "dominant" overnight. That’s the real story of the 2026 Washington Commanders.
Check the injury reports for Terry McLaurin’s ankle and Dorance Armstrong’s recovery. Those are the two swing factors for the early part of the season. If they’re 100%, this team is a playoff lock. If not, it’s going to be a long year of "what-ifs."