On the Bubble?

It is all starting to get very real as the NFL season is just 42 days from now.

In an off-season of huge changes, but thankfully very minimal drama, the general consensus for the Commanders is an improved roster that still has some obvious question marks.

And that is perfectly OK in what is Year One for a new General Manager, new Head Coach and staff plus a potentially new dynamic QB in rookie Jayden Daniels.

Rome was not built in a day; but Washington seem intent on quickening the process as much as humanly possible.

Here at UKHTTC, we took a look at two ‘carry over’ veterans from the past regime whereby there is some mention of being cut candidates. Might Jamin Davis and Phidarian Mathis be on the roster bubble and not make the final 53?

Christian Burt, UKHTTC founder offers opinion.

Jamin Davis (LB)

The LB group always seemed an afterthought for the last regime, although they did select Davis with the 19th pick of the 2021 draft.

It is fair to say that the majority of the fanbase would like that pick back. Especially when Christian Darrisaw went at 21 and has been a superstar success at LT for the Vikings.

You can bet your last dollar that Adam Peters would have taken Darrisaw, given the obvious logic in first rounders being taken positions of high value (LT, QB, WR and CB) on rookie deals.

Has Jamin been a total failure? No, that would be harsh. However, the pick looked a reach then and still does now.

What might keep Jamin around? For a start, most coaches will feel there is a talent there; even past regime first rounders might get a little more rope than a later round player. Head Coach Dan Quinn has also emphasised the need for quickness and explosiveness and Jamin is certainly no slouch at the LB position.

In 2024 his base salary is cheap as chips and the coaches seem also to want to put guys in the best position possible to make plays on their strengths: might Davis be more of a situational pass rusher this season?

What might make Jamin a surprise cut? The starters will be Frankie Luvu and future HOF stud Bobby Wagner, and early reports on rookie LB Jordan Magee seem very encouraging.

Jamin is in the last year of his contract as the fifth-year option was not exercised. He would need a big 2024 season to stick around and even if so, Davis could listen league-wide to offers as he will be an UFA.

Final thoughts: this is less cut and dry then you would think. Overall, however, Davis plays out one last year in Washington as the cap friendly base salary equates to good value for a final season in the burgundy & gold.

Phidarian Mathis (DT)

Much is unknown for DT Phidarian Mathis.

The 2022 second rounder out of Alabama was viewed as a useful rotational piece to lessen the snap count for Daron Payne and Jon Allen.

Phidarian, however, has endured a bad injury record since being drafted by the Commanders: indeed in 2022 he barely played a snap before a meniscus tear put paid to his rookie season.

In 2023, he faired a bit better, although a training camp calf injury led to missing the start of the season, although he did rotate for the last ten games.

What might keep Mathis around? The unknown and a base salary that is low. Mathis, like Davis, was taken too high and was projected to be more a third/fourth rounder.

However, many coaches would be content with an interior DT depth chart of Payne, Allen, Newton and Mathis. Combined with the Quinn promise to put players into the best situations to make an impact, fans might just see a decent return from Phidarian in his third year in the NFL.

What might make Mathis a surprise cut? Washington selected Johnny Newton in the second round of the 2024 Draft; with many an analyst believing this to be a steal. Mathis injury record is also a cause for concern.

Final thoughts: Mathis continues his career in Washington and might even produce his first tangible successful season since being selected in 2022.