Commanders may have found a rookie long shot worth keeping around

"I was standing watching practice with a member of the Commanders PR staff when John Taumoepeau got through the line of scrimmage to register a tackle for loss. It was a nice play for the tryout guy from BYU, and the PR staffer told me to write that one down. So here it is. "Big John goes 6'2' and 300 lbs. For a team that signed Tim Settle and looks like will be playing some traditional nose, perhaps Big John is a name to watch for the practice squad.""

"In addition to the draft selections, undrafted free agents, and second-year players permitted to take part, the Commanders also had no fewer than 21 hopefuls trying out for the squad. Whether anyone will make it remains to be seen, but defensive lineman John Taumoepeau flashed enough to potentially get a deal. The coaches' eyes are on their draft picks and others, rather than on the tryouts."

"It's not easy to catch the eye in an environment like this. The coaches' eyes are on their draft picks and others, rather than on the tryouts. Taumoepeau made his statement, and even if he doesn't do enough to secure a longer stay in Washington, this experience will have given him significant confidence."

"Taumoepeau failed to hear his name called during the 2026 NFL Draft, despite putting out some decent tape over his final two seasons at BYU. He's a traditional nose tackle with a relentless motor and violent hand"

Washington’s rookie minicamp gave first-year players and tryouts a chance to stand out, with attention focused on high draft picks and other permitted participants. At least 21 hopefuls tried out for the Commanders. Defensive lineman John Taumoepeau drew notice by getting through the line of scrimmage to record a tackle for loss. A team insider reported that a PR staff member directed the play to be noted. The expectation is that Taumoepeau could push for a role on the defensive line depth chart, potentially landing on the practice squad. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft despite BYU production and is described as a traditional nose tackle with a relentless motor and violent hands.

Read at Riggo's Rag