Malik Spencer was thought to be a potential future first-round pick as recently as a couple of years ago, but the Jonathan Smith era at Michigan State did a number on his NFL draft stock.
Following two relatively disappointing seasons which followed a breakout campaign under interim coach Harlon Barnett in 2023, Spencer went from “hey, he might sneak into the first round one day” to being an undrafted free agent.
The Washington Commanders scooper Spencer up and gave him an opportunity.
Imagining what would have happened with Spencer if then-AD Alan Haller had hired the right fit at head coach is like pouring some salt into the wound. We already knew that Michigan State had wasted Spencer’s potential over the past two seasons but thinking about just how good he could have been with good coaching is extra painful.
Spencer followed up a breakout season in 2023 — where he had 72 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and six pass breakups — with two much quieter seasons under Smith. He totaled 96 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and seven pass breakups. His numbers weren’t bad, by any means, but they didn’t show the growth necessary for an NFL team to take a chance on him in the draft.
Instead, the Commanders waited until the draft was over to sign him, but he’s going to face an uphill battle to make that 53-man roster.
Malik Spencer’s path is a bit crowded
Sometimes an undrafted free agent lands at the perfect spot (Omari Kelly with the Bears) where the depth chart is wide open and anyone has a chance to make the 53-man roster, but that’s not the case with Spencer in Washington.
The NFL teammate (currently) of Matt Gulbin joins a group of safeties that’s at least 4-5 guys deep and that’s how many safeties are usually carried on a pro roster.
Nick Cross was signed as a free agent this offseason and he’ll join Will Harris as the Commanders’ projected starters at safety. Jeremy Reaves and Quan Martin will also be in the mix as backups along with Percy Butler and Robert McDaniel. If Spencer wants a shot at making the roster, he might need to out-duel Tyler Owns as the backup nickel behind Amik Robertson.
Spencer is a safety but can play some nickel and that means that his versatility could lead to a roster spot. As long as he’s one of the top 4-5 safeties on the team or the second-best nickel, he’s going to have a legitimate shot at making the roster.
However, I do see him starting the year on the practice squad because that defensive backfield has adequate depth. The talent is there for Spencer to get called up mid-year, though.
Add us as a preferred source on Google