Sports

Commanders 2026 training camp preview: Wide receiver

USA TODAY Touchdown Wire · Jul 21, 2026 09:50 · 3 min read

Nov 10, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) looks on from the field during final minute of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Today, we preview the Washington Commanders' wide receiver position ahead of training camp.

The one position everyone wants to talk about in regard to the Washington Commanders is wide receiver. The Commanders made it no secret they were looking for an upgrade next to Terry McLaurin this offseason when they made a push for Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs in free agency.

Washington eventually signed Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson to one-year deals, re-signed Treylon Burks and spent a third-round pick on Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams. However, the Commanders remain linked to every available veteran receiver, or the ones who aren't quite available yet.

Washington being a potential home for Brandon Aiyuk once he's released from the 49ers seems over now. Could the Commanders sign Stefon Diggs? Yes, but they haven't yet.

It's safe to say when training camp opens next week, wide receiver will be the most-watched position. So, let's look at Washington's running back situation ahead of training camp.

On the roster

Terry McLaurin
Treylon Burks
Dyami Brown
Antonio Williams
Luke McCaffrey
Jaylin Lane
Van Jefferson
Jaden Bradley
Chris Hilton Jr.
Jacoby Jones
Nick Nash

McLaurin is healthy, which is great news for Jayden Daniels and the rest of the roster. Washington believes Williams is capable of putting up huge numbers as a rookie. There is excitement about Dyami Brown's return, while Luke McCaffrey was showing signs of improvement before an injury ruined his season. Burks is a former Tennessee first-round pick and flashed at times last season. If he can stay healthy, Washington believes in him.

Roster locks

Terry McLaurin
Antonio Williams
Luke McCaffrey
Jaylin Lane

We almost included Burks and Brown here because we don't believe they're going anywhere. However, you just never know what happens in camp, especially if the Commanders sign another receiver. As far as the four locks, McCaffrey and Lane are outstanding on special teams and still developing as receivers. They, like Williams, are also draft picks of this regime.

Training camp battle to watch

Antonio Williams vs. Luke McCaffrey to start in the slot
Van Jefferson vs. Dyami Brown vs. Treylon Burks

The Commanders believe Williams can play inside or outside, but his skills could translate into him being one of the NFL's better slot receivers. McCaffrey offers size (6-foot-2) and speed in the slot. He caught three touchdowns last season before his Week 9 injury. McCaffrey needs a strong training camp to land a spot in the WR rotation.

Again, we think Brown and Burks are 90% safe. Jefferson is competing for the final spot at wide receiver, and he'll need to overtake Brown and/or Burks. Burks and Brown are younger and offer higher upside. Brown seems rejuvenated after one year in Jacksonville.

One burning question

Will the Commanders sign a receiver before Week 1?

All offseason, it seemed only a matter of time before Brandon Aiyuk would end up in Washington. He remains under contract with San Francisco, and said he's not going to show up to force them to release him. Plus, his social media antics have seemingly scared off the Commanders. Diggs is a Maryland native and has made it clear he'd love a return home to play for Washington. It feels like Diggs will land with a team sometime over the next week. If he doesn't, he could be in play closer to Week 1, when the Commanders have had a summer full of practices to see what they have at wide receiver. Washington actually likes its current group, at least more than outsiders, and believes it can be a productive group with new offensive coordinator David Blough and a healthy Jayden Daniels.