The Washington Commanders face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 preseason action on Monday Night Football. The Commanders will finish out the preseason later this week against the Baltimore Ravens before all 32 NFL teams must trim their rosters from 90 players to 53 next week.

For several Commanders, that means two more opportunities to impress coaches and general manager Adam Peters. Head coach Dan Quinn sat 30 players in the preseason opener against the New England Patriots. On Saturday, Quinn announced several starters and key reserves who would not play against Cincinnati. Some are related to injury, while others, such as Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz and Laremy Tunsil, have nothing to prove by playing.

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Here are six players we are watching closely in Monday’s game against the Bengals.

Sam Hartman started last week’s game against New England, and he didn’t have a great performance. All of that wasn’t on Hartman, as Washington’s receivers struggled with drops. But for a young player who is battling for the No. 3 quarterback job with veteran Josh Johnson, Hartman needs a strong finish to the preseason. Even if Hartman finishes strong, he still feels more like a candidate for the practice squad again in 2025. We’ll be watching Hartman closely once Jayden Daniels departs after a series or two.

A seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Paul is one of the few Ron Rivera draft picks who’ve remained on the roster. Paul earns his spot every year, but with Washington’s offseason additions, there were some questions about whether he’d make it a fourth consecutive year. He’s had an excellent offseason and training camp. He looked great in the preseason opener against the Patriots. He likely has a spot locked up, but nothing is guaranteed. Paul’s power is unmatched, but in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, the offensive linemen must be able to move in space. That’s the knock on Paul. We could learn a lot about his future by how many snaps he sees against the Bengals.

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Another former Ron Rivera draft pick, Rodriguez was cut and re-signed to the practice squad, only to be elevated to the 53-man roster a few times last season. And every time the Commanders called Rodriguez’s number, he delivered. His performance was critical in Washington’s Week 9 win over the Giants last season, and he ran for 94 yards in a Week 13 win over the Titans. Rodriguez appears to be on the outside looking in. The Commanders will keep Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The coaching staff loves veteran Jeremy McNichols because he does everything well, including pass protection. Rodriguez needs to finish the preseason strong to make it difficult for Washington to cut him again. If he’s released again, he may not make it back to the practice squad. Rodriguez doesn’t do a lot in the passing game, but he’s arguably the best pure rusher on the roster.

The undrafted rookie appeared ticketed for the practice squad even before training camp began. However, the former five-star recruit has turned heads in training camp. He still hasn’t done enough to lock down a spot on the 53-man roster. If he can finish the preseason with two outstanding games, things could get interesting. He led Washington in receiving last week. Brooks must prove he can contribute on special teams. The final receiver on the roster will need to play special teams. Look for Brooks to be on the field a lot in each of the next two games. Outside of the normal five receivers projected as roster locks, Brooks is the most interesting among the rest. He has size and deep-ball skills.

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The Commanders signed the 29-year-old Holmes during the season in 2024, and he became a key part of their defensive line rotation. Washington re-signed Holmes in the offseason, but only to a one-year deal. He must earn his spot, as the Commanders have several similar players vying for the same position. Holmes offers experience, versatility, and pass-rushing skills. He’ll need to earn a spot, and we’ll be watching the veteran against Cincinnati. Holmes is listed as a defensive end, but can also slide inside and play tackle. That type of versatility makes him an intriguing option.

The Commanders made some roster moves last week, releasing 2024 fifth-round pick Dominique Hampton. Why is that significant as it pertains to Medrano? They were battling for the same hybrid safety/linebacker position. Hampton failed to show progress, while Medrano has stood out this summer. Medrano, a 2025 sixth-round pick, has some rough edges to his game, but his size, athleticism, and physical style of play are an exciting mix for the Commanders. He’s aggressive, sometimes too aggressive, and his technique needs some work. But he also possesses qualities that can’t be taught. He should be considered a strong bet to make the 53, but we want to see if he continues to stand out in the final two preseason games. The arrow is pointing up for Medrano.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 6 Commanders to watch vs. Bengals in Monday’s preseason game