Tag: James Smith-Wiiliams

10 players on Commanders’ roster bubble heading into final preseason game

Which players head into Saturday’s preseason finale on the roster bubble?

Two preseason games are in the books, and NFL teams will wrap up the 2023 preseason this weekend. Following this weekend’s slate of games, teams will then turn their attention to making final roster cuts by next Tuesday, Aug. 29.

The Washington Commanders meet the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday to finish their preseason. It’s unknown if head coach Ron Rivera plans to play his starters, but if he does, it won’t be for long. Saturday’s preseason finale will be about those players on the roster bubble attempting to make one last impression for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Here are 10 players on the roster bubble with less than a week until cutdown day.

3 Commanders set for performance raises in 2023

Kam Curl among those scheduled for a raise in 2023.

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The Washington Commanders have done a good job of finding good players in the third round or later over the last several years. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin is the shining example of Washington’s drafting success after the first round.

The 2020 NFL draft will forever be known as the draft that brought defensive end Chase Young to Washington. Whether you consider that good or bad, we likely will not have a firm answer to that until the end of the 2023 NFL season.

However, that draft did bring Washington some unheralded talent. Washington selected running back Antonio Gibson in the third round, safety Kamren Curl and defensive end James Smith-Williams each in the seventh round.

Gibson rushed for 795 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie. He followed that up with a 1,000-yard season in 2021. Curl established himself as a starter at safety as a rookie, quickly becoming one of Washington’s most important players. Curl is set to get paid. Finally, Smith-Williams was almost an afterthought because he was in the same draft as Young. However, due to Young’s injury, Smith-Williams has played in 42 games with 20 starts in three seasons.

Thanks to the NFL’s Proven Performance Escalator, a fourth-year salary escalator for players on drafted rookie contracts not drafted in the first round, Gibson, Curl and Smith-Williams are all due for raises in 2023.

Gibson’s original base salary for 2023 was $1.28 million. He will now earn just over $3 million in 2023, per Over the Cap. Curl’s initial base salary was $1.01 million, but he is now scheduled to earn just over $3 million. Smith-Williams’ initial base salary was just over $1 million for 2023, and he will also receive a raise.

When Josh Harris takes over as Washington’s new owner later this month, don’t be surprised if an extension for Curl isn’t one of the first things on their agenda.

CBS regrades the 2020 NFL draft after three years and the Commanders remain the same

What grade would you give Washington’s 2020 NFL draft now?

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They say you can’t truly grade a draft until at least three years removed from that draft. So, now feels like the perfect time to go back and grade the Washington Commanders’ 2020 NFL draft.

That draft, of course, was the year Washington selected defensive end Chase Young at No. 2 overall. Over the last two years, we’ve seen some do redrafts, which is a silly notion, and give the Commanders quarterback Justin Herbert.

That sounds great, but we live in reality. You do not get do-overs.

As for Young, things began as expected. At times, he was a game-wrecker on the edge, recording 7.5 sacks and helping lead the Commanders to a surprising NFC East division title, albeit with a losing record, and won the NFL defensive rookie of the year.

Since that time, Young has only appeared in 12 games due to a significant knee injury. In the nine games before his 2021 knee injury, Young had just 1.5 sacks. He returned in Week 16 of the 2022 season and looked like his athletic self, but he did not record a sack.

The Commanders declined to pick up Young’s fifth-year option, guaranteed at over $17 million for 2024, making him a free agent after the 2023 season.

Let’s head back to that 2020 draft for a moment. Washington also selected running back Antonio Gibson [third round], offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles [fourth round], safety Kamren Curl and defensive James Smith-Williams [seventh round].

Gibson has been excellent at times, rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2021 after scoring 11 touchdowns as a rookie. Charles has yet to establish himself but has logged several starts.

Curl is the gem of the class and is in line for a significant extension once new ownership takes over. Smith-Williams was also an excellent Day 3 pick, starting several games and becoming an important part of Washington’s defensive end rotation.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports gave Washington a “B” after the 2020 NFL draft. Three years later, Prisco sticks with that grade and explains why.

The Skinny: They took edge player Chase Young with the second overall pick. He flashed star potential as a rookie, but then suffered a major knee injury in 2021. He wasn’t the same player last season. This year is big for him. After that, they took running back Antonio Gibson in the third after trading their second-round pick the year before to draft Montez Sweat. Gibson has been a big part of their offense the past three years. Fourth-round offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles has been a sometimes starter, although he will open as a backup in 2023. They hit big on seventh-round safety Kamren Curl, who is one of the better players on their defense. Seventh-round edge James Smith-Williams had 14 starts and three sacks last season. But he has mostly been a backup.

How I did: I loved the pick of Young, but who didn’t? The injury has changed the trajectory of his career. I questioned trading the second to draft Sweat the year before, but Washington nailed that decision. I liked the picks of Gibson and Charles since both were on my Better-Than team that year. I also said fourth-round receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden had a chance, but he retired after two seasons with just one catch.

That’s fair. While Young’s career has been disappointing thus far, not all of it is his fault; his production before the injury is a concern, though. But that potential still exists, and 2023 is a massive season for him.

Curl, Gibson and Smith-Williams were all excellent choices, especially when you consider where Washington landed them.

The top 5 Washington draft choices for Ron Rivera: No. 3

The Commanders have done well with Day 3 picks in the Rivera-era.

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This week (Monday-Friday) Commanders Wire will reveal in ascending order the top-five draft choices Ron Rivera has made in his three earlier drafts. Consequently, none of the 2023 NFL draft will be eligible for this list, seeing they have yet to play in the NFL.

Further, initially keep in mind that it is still much too early to know what Jahan Dotson, Phidarian Mathis, Percy Butler and Sam Howell are going to provide from the 2022 class.

Honorable Mention:

Chase Young also does not make our top five list because of virtually no productivity from the 2021 and 2022 seasons. But because of his high productivity in 2020, he nearly made the list and deserves an honorable mention.

Other honorable mention draftees during the Rivera era: Darrick Forrest and John Bates.

So here goes the list of the top five draft choices by Ron Rivera during his three seasons here in Washington (2020-22).

No. 5: Brian Robinson Jr., RB Alabama, 2022

No. 4:  Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota, 2021 

No. 3: James Smith-Williams, DE, NC State, 2020

In the 2020 NFL draft, the first draft for Ron Rivera as Washington’s head coach, the earlier selections for Washington had brought seven players. The “Football Team” was on the clock for the 229th player to be selected. Washington chose James Smith-Williams (JSW) a defensive end from North Carolina State.

Most players drafted 229 never make it in the NFL. Yet, JSW has played in 42 games and been a solid end defending the run, while also collecting 6.0 sacks. In 2022, he collected 3.0 sacks and 23 tackles (12 solo, 11 assists).

When called upon on passing downs, JSW contributed 16 QB hits, which is considerable, considering he played fewer snaps than Montez Sweat (28), Daron Payne (20) and Jonathan Allen (17).

Entering the last year of his rookie contract, there is no question Washington would like to be able to extend JSW keeping him in burgundy and gold for the next three or four seasons.

Aaron Henry a former NC State defensive coach during JSW’s time at NCS expressed his feelings on the Washington defensive end.

“He was absolutely everything you wanted in terms of building a program. Hard worker, great student, always on time, never any issues, a leader. That young man will play however long he wants to in the NFL. That’s a quality,   incredible pillar for the Washington Commanders.”

Is the Commanders James Smith-Williams appreciated enough?

James Smith-Williams is one of Washington’s more underappreciated players.

Being a final-round draft choice can certainly lead to a player being ignored.

Washington defensive end James Smith-Williams has been one such player. No doubt many Commanders fans are really certain of his name, they don’t recall his jersey number and they certainly don’t know where he played his college ball.

It was funny when even head coach Ron Rivera once spoke of the defensive end as “James Williams-Smith.“ Smith-Williams is still only 25, turning 26 on July 30. He enters this season knowing it is a contract year for him.

What type of year did the former North Carolina State Wolfpack have for the Commanders in 2022? Check out this tweet for some perspective:

Number 96 gets lost by the fan base when he is playing with teammates such as Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat and Chase Young. But he is accustomed to this, as it occurred during his college days at NC State as well.

Illinois defensive coordinator and former North Carolina State defensive coach, Aaron Henry a guest on the “Al Galdi Podcast,” Tuesday reminded listeners:

“What a lot of people forget is James Smith-Williams was behind Bradley Chubb, Kentavius Street, Justin Jones and B.J. Hill. All them dudes were drafted in the NFL. ”

“So, the fact that he was even a 7th rounder…we knew that young man was going to be special. His off-the-field philanthropy combined with his football ability, the sky was the limit.”

“He was absolutely everything you wanted in terms of building a program. Hard worker, great student, always on time, never any issues, a leader.”

“That young man will play however long he wants to in the NFL. That’s a quality, incredible pillar for the Washington Commanders.”

Commanders DE James Smith-Williams receives award for his work against domestic violence

James Smith-Williams is honored for his work off the field.

James Smith-Williams was a seventh-round pick of the Washington Commanders in the 2020 NFL draft. That’s the same year Washington selected defensive end Chase Young No. 2 overall.

While many consider seventh-round picks as throwaways, Washington has found late-round gems, such as Smith-Williams and Kamren Curl.

Smith-Williams has played in 42 of a possible 50 games for Washington since 2020, making 20 starts.

While Smith-Williams has proven to be a critical part of the Commanders’ defense, he’s also a busy man off the field.

Smith-Williams spends much of his free time raising awareness against sexual and domestic violence. Smith-Williams first began as an advocate against domestic violence while he was a student at N.C. State. Smith-Williams heard an advocate speaking about surviving a sexual assault, which was a message that stuck with him.

“Her biggest takeaway was, ‘If you’re a good man, what are you doing to be a good man?'” Smith-Williams told NBC’s TODAY Show in October. “That really stuck with me.”

Earlier this week, Smith-Williams was honored for his outstanding work off the field. He received the “Champion of Justice” award from the D.C. Volunteer Lawyers Project for his work against sexual and domestic violence.

Here’s part of his speech, per Zach Selby of commanders.com.

Congratulations to Smith-Williams on receiving this award. He’s one of the NFL’s good guys.

Commanders 2023 NFL draft prospect profile: Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy

The Commanders could add a pass rusher in the 2023 NFL draft. Murphy is one of the best.

The 2023 NFL draft is less than one week away, and we here at Commanders Wire will look to profile multiple 2023 prospects daily leading up to day one of the draft.

We will focus on prospects who could be available for Washington and who fit a position of need. Our prospect profiles will not be exclusive to projected first-round picks only but also players who will be selected on the second and third days of the NFL draft.

The Commanders are first on the clock at No. 16 overall.

Today, we profile Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy.

Counting down the Commanders’ 20 biggest cap hits in 2023: Beginning with No. 20

Counting down the Commanders’ top 20 cap hits for 2023, beginning with No. 16-20.

Which Washington Commanders players will count the largest cap hit for the 2023 NFL season?

This week, Commanders Wire will count down the top 20 Washington Commanders with the largest cap hit for 2023.

For what it is worth, according to Spotrac, the top 10 Commanders who cost the most during the 2022 season were in order:

  1. Carson Wentz     $28,294,119
  2. Curtis Samuel     $12,625,000
  3. Kendall Fuller     $11,125,000
  4. Jonathan Allen     $9,500,000
  5. Chase Young       $9,426,435
  6. Da’ron Payne       $8,529,000
  7. Charles Leno       $8,500,000
  8. Terry McLaurin   $7,329,805
  9. Logan Thomas     $6,190,000
  10. Wes Schweitzer    $5,820,000

We begin with No. 20.

Second injury report for Commanders vs. Eagles, Week 3

Two Commanders did not practice Thursday, while two were limited.

The second injury report of the week is out, and two players missed Thursday’s practice for the Washington Commanders.

Defensive end Casey Toohill [concussion] and defensive tackle Daniel Wise [ankle] each missed practice for the second consecutive day. Either player missing Sunday’s Week 3 game against the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles would be a difficult blow to Washington’s defensive line depth.

The Commanders are already without rookie defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis, who injured his knee in Week 1. At defensive end, Washington is still a few weeks away — at least — before Chase Young makes his 2022 return.

The Eagles listed 12 players on Thursday’s injury report, but it was more of a rest day. Wide receiver A.J. Brown, guard Landon Dickerson, offensive tackle Lane Johnson and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox were among those listed as limited for Philadelphia.

Cornerback Avonte Maddox [back] and linebacker Haason Reddick [knee] are the only players believed to be dealing with injuries.

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Commanders update depth chart for opener against Jaguars

We examine Washington’s depth chart for Week 1 vs. Jaguars.

There were a few noticeable changes to the Washington Commanders’ depth chart Tuesday.

Nothing serious, but a few changes nonetheless were listed as the Commanders head into week 1, hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedEx Field Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

The most pressing areas for Sunday are Kam Curl and Brian Robinson Jr. Listed as the starting strong safety, Curl injured his thumb against the Chiefs in the second preseason game and is in a cast. If Curl needs another week for the thumb to heal, Darrick Forrest is listed as next-man-up at strong safety.

Robinson had locked up the starting running back spot, but with his having been shot in a carjacking attempt, he will not be playing the first four games. Antonio Gibson returns again as the starter. J.D. McKissic and Jonathan Williams will give Gibson relief.

Also of concern, Logan Thomas is still listed as the first Commanders’ tight end, though there has yet to be an announcement that Thomas will be ready for action Sunday in the opener. We should know more after the daily injury reports this week.

When the Commanders go with 3 receivers, the top three listed are Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson. They are backed up by Dyami Brown, Cam Sims and Dax Milne. Milne has been updated to both the top punt returner and kick returner. Gibson is listed as the second kick returner and Dotson as the second punt returner.

For those concerned that Chase Roullier is listed as the only center on the depth chart, guard Wes Schweitzer can also play center and would be the second center if Roullier is injured.

Defensively, there were three updates to the depth chart since the original 53-man roster was announced. Washington had claimed linebacker Jon Bostic and corners Rachad Wildgoose and Tariq Castro-Fields. All three are listed as backups at their respective positions.

James Smith-Williams remains a starting defensive end until Chase Young can return to the lineup after missing a minimum of the first four games. Shaka Toney is listed to back up Smith-Williams.

Finally, it can’t be overlooked that the Commanders must replace both starting guards (Ereck Flowers and Brandon Scherff) from the 2021 season. The updated depth chart lists Andrew Norwell (LG) and Trai Turner (RG) to be the starters with rookie Chris Paul (LG) and Wes Schweitzer (RG) the guard backups.

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