The Washington Commanders announced the 12 undrafted free agents following last week’s NFL Draft who are expected to join the roster. The UDFA market is the transactional equivalent of the Wild Wild West, so no deals are official until signed.

The list below slots these dozen prospects based on intrigue, chances of making the roster or practice squad, and interest from the Commanders and other teams. That information comes from calls and texts to NFL scouts and evaluators, agents of these players, and Dane Brugler’s rankings and knowledge from his draft preview.

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Washington will hold its rookie mini-camp May 12-14, followed by the first of two OTA sessions on May 23. As for who will join first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes and the Commanders’ seven draft picks …

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Mitchell Tinsley, WR, Penn State

The lone player on this list to make Brugler’s final 300 prospect rankings (No. 286) gets the nod. Brugler’s evaluation isn’t the sole reason, either.

With only a year of high school tape, Tinsley was overlooked in the recruiting process. He walked on at Hutchinson Community College (Kansas) before transferring to Western Kentucky in 2020. That’s where Tinsley burst onto the national scene in 2021 with 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns on 87 receptions.

The 6-foot target transferred to Happy Valley for his final season as the Nittany Lions sought a replacement for Jahan Dotson. Tinsley led Penn State in receptions (55) and receiving touchdowns (5).

Quicker than fast (4.60), Tinsley created space with precise route running. While used primarily on the outside last season, Tinsley projects as a “reliable slot option” by Brugler.

“Tinsley is well-liked by evaluators because of his fluid movements, ball skills and football smarts,” Brugler wrote, “but the lack of game-breaking athleticism puts a cap on his pro ceiling.”

Sean Clifford ➡️ Mitchell Tinsley for the TD 🌹

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 2, 2023

Two sources, including an NFC scout, view Tinsley as the best prospect among these UDFA signings, and he’s atop this list of most likely to make the 53 or the practice squad. That said, his road to a Week 1 roster spot is daunting beyond entering as an undrafted FA.

The lack of high-end speed played a role in going undrafted, and his route-running chops without a needed burst might not be enough against NFL corners. Tinsley (199 pounds) is roughly the same height as Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Dotson.

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Assuming Washington keeps six, there are possible roster opportunities for the final two WR spots. Alas, Tinsley won’t challenge the 6-foot-4 Marcus Kemp as a big receiver, and he isn’t a return specialist (9 attempts, 10 yards) to battle Dax Milne. But his receiving skills should pop enough in practice and preseason games to grab a practice-squad spot. Perhaps that’s enough for WR6 if a returner emerges from another position.

Mason Brooks, OT, Ole Miss

Transferring is all the rage in college sports, and Brooks took his shot at playing in the SEC with justification. After Brooks garnered attention in Conference USA for Western Kentucky, college football analyst Phil Steele projected the 6-foot-5, 302-pounder as a fourth-team SEC selection. While Brooks played 13 games for the Rebels, steady work with the starters rarely materialized, and his draft stock faded.

But impressive showings at two pre-draft All-Star games (Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine), aided by Brooks using his NIL money to pay for training, put him back on the radar for teams like the Commanders and Patriots. Though a hamstring injury sidelined Brooks for his pro day, five teams showed high interest in him as a priority free agent. Washington gave Brooks, ESPN analyst Todd McShay’s 27th-ranked OT, a $35,000 signing bonus to join them this summer, a person close to the situation told The Athletic.

Washington drafted Braeden Daniels in the fourth round and intended to look at him at tackle, with Charles Leno, Andrew Wylie, and Cornelius Lucas on the roster. Alex Akingbulu and Aaron Monteiro are among the practice squad options Brooks will compete against. The bonus money shows that the Commanders intend to take a good look.

Kendall Smith, S, Illinois

Scouts already had reason to watch the Illini’s secondary with cornerback Devon Witherspoon, the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Quan Martin. Washington didn’t only select Martin in the second round but targeted his safety partner for its summer roster.

ILLINI INTERCEPTION 😤 @Kendallsmith_23 TAKES IT BACK!

cc: @IlliniFootball

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 15, 2022

Primarily a special teams contributor for most of his career, the 6-foot, 211-pounder with 4.59 speed played in all 13 games in 2022 with eight starts at free safety. His five interceptions tied for second in the Big Ten and ranked 11th nationally. Though Smith didn’t crack Brugler’s top 300 rankings, Draft Network slotted him 221 overall and 18th among safeties.

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Kazmeir Allen, WR/RB/KR, UCLA

Poll the fan base, and there’s a good chance this is the UDFA the majority will declare their most intriguing. Go back to Allen’s prep days to see why. This four-star recruit broke the California high school scoring record with 72 total touchdowns — in his senior season. Significant hype followed the track standout, who ran a 4.4 40 at his pro day, to Westwood. The offensive production did not, however.

Allen had only 31 receptions over four seasons before posting 49-403-2 during his final season. There’s a question of usage by coach Chip Kelly, but NFL teams didn’t see enough of the 5-foot-8 Allen to spend a draft pick. But for a team that loves position flexibility and could use a boost in the return game, Allen is a fun addition.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 29, 2023

He averaged 27.0 yards on 38 kickoff returns during his final two seasons, with one touchdown, but did not return punts. As a running back, Allen averaged 8.1 yards on 68 rush attempts. McShay classified Allen as a running back, ranking him 31st within that position group, while Brugler — and, more importantly, Washington — listed him at WR.

Let’s see what happens when special teams coach Nate Kaczor gets his hands on this burner.

Tim DeMorat, QB, Fordham

Washington ultimately did not select a quarterback with its seven picks. While that’s a frustrating conclusion for some, the Commanders did land a highly productive passer with a “strong arm,” per Brugler and the mental goods demanded from the position. DeMorat, a no-star recruit out of Florida, won the starting job as a freshman. As a senior, the 6-foot-3 QB finished with 4,891 yards and 56 touchdown passes. Those statistics on the FCS level earned DeMorat first-team All-American honors, and he was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the best FCS player.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 1, 2023

DeMorat finished his career as the Patriot League all-time record-holder for passing yards and touchdowns. Now, teams don’t tend to let quarterbacks slide down their draft board, let alone go undrafted if they see the upside. Brugler and McShay both ranked DeMorat 17th among QB prospects.

He must improve “his eye discipline to be a consistent small-window thrower in the NFL,” Brugler wrote, “but he is a functional athlete with the arm and intangibles to be a developmental option.” The Commanders have Jake Fromm if they want a third quarterback on the 53. Otherwise, DeMorat could end up as this year’s practice-squad QB project.

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Brycen Tremayne, WR, Stanford

There’s a familiarity case here: Kavita Pritchard, Washington’s new QB coach, was Stanford’s offensive coordinator. Perhaps a diamond in the rough argument as well. Tremayne, a 6-4 receiver, more than doubled his career receptions total with 38 for 490 and three touchdowns, including 11 in the season finale against BYU. Tack on 4.57 speed and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s knack for finding value in overlooked big receivers with Kansas City and …

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Xavier Henderson, S, Michigan State

The two-time captain started four years for the Spartans and entered his fifth year on various award watch lists, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s best defensive player) and the Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s best defensive back). After finishing with 96 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in 2021, a foot injury limited the 6-foot, 204-pound safety to seven games.

Jalen Sample, WR, Minnesota State Mankato

What’s an UDFA class without a small-school playmaking hopeful? A smidge under 6-4, Sample finished his college career with 114 receptions for 1,898 yards and 14 touchdowns. However, an injury limited him to four games during his final season, derailing draft momentum.

DJ Stirgus, CB, Missouri Western

This 6-foot corner comes with a 77-inch wingspan, a 2022 first-team All MIAA selection, and a nomination for the Cliff Harris Award, which honors the best small-school defensive player.

Joshua Pryor, DE, Bowie State

The locals get one on the board. Washington brought the 6-foot-3, 246-pound lineman to Ashburn for its local workout after Pryor wowed for the HBCU school with 32 sacks and 77 tackles for loss. Pryor’s Bowie State bio lists his favorite food as pizza. Kindred spirit.

The @seniorbowl is hitting HBCU action today at @bowiestatefb vs. @VUU_Football. Bowie State hybrid edge player Joshua Pryor (6036v, 225v, 33” arms) has three straight seasons w/ 20+ TFL and is on-pace to break NCAA record in that statistic.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) October 15, 2022

Nick Whiteside, CB, Saginaw Valley State

Whiteside tallied 12 interceptions and 131 tackles during a four-year career with the Cardinals. Like Stirgus, Whiteside was a Cliff Harris Award finalist and a 2022 AFCA All-American.

Zion Bowens, WR, Hawaii

We’ll see if the 5-foot-11 receiver with 4.52 speed can catch on with Washington’s practice squad. Bowens averaged 17.2 yards on 52 career receptions. Hauling in a 93-yard TD, the second-longest scoring play in program history helps the cause.

(Top photo of Tim DeMorat: Jeff Speer / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)