What is the Commanders' biggest need ahead of training camp?

The Washington Commanders are less than two weeks away from opening training camp. In fact, rookies begin reporting next week, with the veterans scheduled to report on July 28. The first practice is slated for July 29.

>The Commanders have been in the news over the past few months for players who aren't even on their roster. Almost everyone assumed Washington would sign wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk once the 49ers released him. However, there were two problems with that: Aiyuk remains under contract with San Francisco, and he can't stop posting on social media, which hasn't helped his cause.

>Top NFL insiders, such as Adam Schefter, believe Aiyuk has ruined his dreams of landing in Washington — at least for now. The other player often mentioned in connection with the Commanders is Stefon Diggs. This one feels more real.

>While everyone is focused on Washington's need at receiver, you could make the case it wasn't the top need. Entering the month of July, the Commanders had a cornerback group featuring Mike Sainristil, Trey Amos, Amik Robertson, Ahkello Witherspoon and others. That's not a bad group, but there are questions. Last week, GM Adam Peters made a move, signing veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas. Douglas has played in 135 career NFL games with 93 starts. He's started 28 games over the last two seasons.

>While Douglas isn't a "big-name" signing, he didn't need to be. He gives Washington five players capable of playing the position at a competent level. That's a massive improvement. Additionally, the Commanders believe Sainristil will bounce back after a rough second season, and Amos has terrific long-term potential.

>Apparently, not everyone was impressed with Washington's recent addition.

>Josh Edwards of CBS Sports recently named the top remaining need for every NFC team ahead of training camp. For Washington, it's cornerback. Edwards believes that eight of the NFC's 16 teams need help at cornerback.

Washington got a facelift at linebacker and edge rusher. They moved on from the investment in cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and that becomes less of a position of need if Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil play to their peaks early in their careers. Wide receiver is concerning with Terry McLaurin having dealt with injuries recently, and third-round pick Antonio Williams not having any professional production. Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and Treylon Burks are among others at the position.

>The concept of moving Nick Allegretti to the latest position of need (center) and expecting him to handle that assignment without error is wish-casting, but the rest of the offensive line is good enough to play through those frustrations.

>Safety was another consideration.

Let's address each position Edwards mentioned. Nothing he said was factually incorrect. The Commanders did make major upgrades at edge and linebacker, which they believe will only help the cornerbacks, particularly Sainristil and Amos, reach their potential.

>The receiver position remains a need. How much of a need? Only Washington truly knows. Remember, the Commanders have a new scheme. We do know that new offensive coordinator David Blough has big plans for Terry McLaurin and will move him around the formation, something Kliff Kingsbury, for the most part, refused to do. Peters improved the position this offseason. He significantly raised the floor. It's safe to say that the Commanders will likely add another veteran.

>We've written that center is a position to watch. Tyler Biadasz wasn't a world-beater last season, but he wasn't terrible either. The move to release him was puzzling. Allegretti has experience playing center and guard, but he's mostly played guard. Washington will be under center much more in 2026, which will be an adjustment for quarterback Jayden Daniels.

>Finally, did you notice how Edwards didn't even mention Douglas? Was he simply disregarding a solid player, or did he just miss the signing? Either way, the cornerback position is not as big of a need as it was one month ago. Douglas will play a significant role in 2026.

>The biggest remaining need? We'll go with center or receiver.

>This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: What is the Commanders' biggest need ahead of training camp?