Commanders' inexperience at one key spot is a major concern

The rookies have reported for the Washington Commanders' 2026 training camp.

>Veterans are to report July 28, and the first practice is to occur July 29, with a final day of training camp scheduled for August 19. Some rookies have a good chance at making the active roster, and for others it is a real long shot.

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Matt Gulbin is my favorite center in the 2026 NFL Draft

3-year starter who transferred to Michigan State and had a career year against Big 10 competition thanks to his borderline elite play strength pic.twitter.com/HrgzEuTcyU

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 17, 2026Take Matt Gulbin for example. Gulbin was required to report July 24. He is a rookie center whom the Commanders drafted in the 6th round at No. 209 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Gulbin played his college ball at Wake Forest and then Michigan State. He is listed at 6-foot-4 inches tall and weighing in at 312 pounds. He is certainly older and experienced, as Gulbin will turn 24 in October.

>The Commanders' starting center, in a sense, is already known. It is certainly no secret that former starting left guard Nick Allegretti is the No. 1 center as training camp opens. Allegretti has played left and right guard for the Commanders over the last two seasons. When starting center Tyler Biadasz was injured in 2025, Allegretti started the final two weeks.

>So, the Commanders have only two NFL starts at the center position. But Gulbin was not drafted until No. 209 for a reason. 32 NFL teams could have chosen Gulbin in either round five or perhaps even Round 4, but did not. Each one of them felt the player they selected was better. Interestingly enough, similarly to Allegretti, Gulbin is a later transition from guard to center. Gulbin played center for four years at Wake Forest and made the switch for his fifth season to move to center.

>Consequently, both Allegretti and Gulbin are very inexperienced at center. Gulbin was still there at 209 because the scouting report on him is that he is inexperienced at center and that he struggled against bigger, strong defensive tackles. Likewise, Allegretti wasn't exactly making NFL Network highlight reels with his performances as a guard. Now this season he requested that coaches give him the opportunity to win the starting center role, after Biadasz was released.

>None of us know what will transpire at center for the Commanders in 2026. What we do know is that center will be the position with the least amount of playing experience for Washington this season.

>This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' inexperience at one key spot is a major concern