2026 Position Review: Cornerback
July 8, 2026
By Noonefromtampa
Background
This position group performed poorly in 2025, with both poor player performance and lack of a pass rush contributing to those results. Consequently, this group saw much change in the offseason, returning only two players who had significant playing time in 2025. The surprising move in the offseason was not adding another top tier cornerback to replace Marshon Lattimore. Instead, Washington added a couple of journeymen-level players on short-term deals. The team also brought back three undrafted free agents on futures deals and signed another undrafted free agent.
Washington did not draft any cornerbacks.
Returning Players
Mike Sainristil, 2024 2nd round pick
Trey Amos, 2025 2nd round pick
Darius Rush, [reserve/futures contract]
Car’lin Vigers, [reserve/futures contract]
Tre Hawkins III, [reserve/futures contract]
Players Lost
Marshon Lattimore, free agent
Jonathan Jones, signed with the Eagles, 1-year, $2 million
Noah Igbinoghene, signed with the Seahawks, 1-year, $1.8 million
Antonio Hamilton, free agent
Free Agents Signed
Amik Robertson, 2 years for $16 million
Ahkello Witherspoon, 1 year for $1.4 million
Qwuantrezz Knight [reserve/futures contract]
Draft Picks
None
Undrafted Free Agents
Fred Davis II, Northwestern
Roster Details
| Player | # | HT | WT | Age | Exp | College |
| Trey Amos | 23 | 6-1 | 190 | 24 | 2 | Mississippi |
| Fred Davis II | 38 | 6-0 | 190 | 24 | R | Northwestern |
| Tre Hawkins III | 46 | 6-3 | 195 | 25 | 3 | Old Dominion |
| Qwuantrezz Knight | 6-1 | 199 | 28 | 1 | UCLA | |
| Amik Robertson | 2 | 5-9 | 183 | 27 | 7 | Louisiana Tech |
| Darius Rush | 29 | 6-2 | 198 | 26 | 2 | South Carolina |
| Mike Sainristil | 0 | 5-10 | 182 | 25 | 3 | Michigan |
| Car’lin Vigers | 37 | 6-2 | 200 | 25 | 1 | Louisiana-Monroe |
| Ahkello Witherspoon | 24 | 6-2 | 195 | 31 | 10 | Colorado |
Thoughts
It is hard to evaluate this group in the context of the coming changes to the defense. On the face of it, this seems to be the weakest unit on the defense. The fit of players to coverage schemes will determine how well the secondary unit plays. If defensive coordinator Daronte Jones uses the same schemes as he did in Minnesota, expect to see a lot of Cover-4 and man-match zones along the occasional Cover-0 and Cover-2 thrown in to keep offenses off balance. Amos looked more comfortable in zone schemes last year more so than Sainristil who seemed to do better in man schemes.
Robertson was likely brought in to play the slot corner position, and that would leave Sainristil on the outside again this year. Sainristil has bounced between slot and outside during his two seasons with the Commanders and this has not helped his development. Jones has a history of being a good coach of secondary players so maybe this benefits Sainristil. Witherspoon is the other cornerback with NFL experience.
The unsure part of this is related to the safety position. The defensive scheme that Jones uses had utilized a lot of three safety looks in the past. So, on non-obvious passing downs Washington may have three safeties on the field versus three cornerbacks if the opposing team is in an “11” personnel grouping.
My expectation is that the front office will be scouring the waiver wire at the cutdown date looking for proven talent at cornerback, especially if none of the UDFA players shine during training camp and the preseason games.
2025 Stats
| Player | Snaps | Tackles | INT | PD | TFL | FF/FR |
| Amos | 511(45%) | 32 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0/0 |
| Robertson | 843 (76%) | 52 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 2/0 |
| Sainristil | 1,024 (90%) | 85 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 1/0 |
| Witherspoon | 173 (48%) | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0/0 |
Projection
Starters: Sainristil, Amos, Robertson
Reserves: Witherspoon, Vigers, TBD
Practice Squad or Released: Rush, Hawkins, Knight