Story by
Commanders' undrafted rookie battling to earn roster spot
- Story by
- Commanders' undrafted rookie battling to earn roster spot
Okay, the first week of Commanders ' 2026 training camp is a wrap, so let's introduce you to one final undrafted rookie free agent.
Malik Spencer went undrafted in the 2026 draft. He played his college ball at Michigan State. Spencer and rookie center Matt Gulbin were teammates at Michigan State for the 2025 season. Gulbin transferred to Michigan State for only his final season; Spencer began and remained at Michigan State for all four of his college football seasons.
The Commanders list the young safety (age 22) at 6-foot-1 and 191 pounds. Spencer played 12 games in his sophomore and senior seasons, while only seeing action in five games his freshman season and nine games his junior season.
Advertisement
Looking at the Commanders' roster at the safety position, Spencer will need a very good training camp and/or preseason to have any shot at making the practice squad or active roster. Due to missed games in his freshman and junior seasons and also though he possessed adequate straight-line speed, Spencer did not score as well in his Relative Athletic Score (RAS). His agility testing produced disappointing results, and his change-of-direction limitations were a red flag for NFL scouts.
Spencer got off to a good start on Day 2 of training camp, as it was reported that he came away with two takeaways. New DC Daronte Jones is certainly looking for players who can match his explosive scheme, hoping to create rushed quarterbacks and resulting turnovers.
Though the Commanders have no all-star safeties, they do have several returning with NFL experience. Quan Martin and Percy Butler are entering pivotal seasons for their career in Washington. Will Harris , Tyler Owens and Jeremy Reaves all return from the 2025 team. They also signed former Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross in the offseason. Then you add Robert McDaniel and Qwuantrezz Knight , and you have a very crowded safety room in Ashburn this training camp.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' undrafted rookie battling to earn roster spot
