A seventh-round pick out of Rutgers, Kaliakmanis will compete for a roster spot this preseason with the Commanders. A three-year starter at two different schools, Kaliakmanis had a below-average completion rate but did show better form in 2025, which improved his accuracy. He also has a little mobility to his game. Probably destined to be a backup for Jayden Daniels for however long he's in D.C., he's unlikely to help you in your quest to win your Fantasy league.
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Commanders' Athan Kaliakmanis: Emergency QB vs. Philadelphia
Rotowire
Kaliakmanis (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Commanders' emergency third quarterback against the Eagles on Sunday.
As the emergency third quarterback, Kaliakmanis is prohibited from playing in Sunday's game unless both Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota were to leave the contest due to injury, illness or ejection. Kaliakmanis was a seventh-round selection of the Commanders in the 2026 NFL Draft after spending the last two years of his college career at Rutgers.
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Commanders' Athan Kaliakmanis: Could be QB2 for Week 1
Rotowire
Kaliakmanis made the Commanders' 53-man roster as the third-string quarterback, but he could be the team's backup for Week 1 against the Eagles if Marcus Mariota (knee) is not cleared to play.
Mariota suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee during the Commanders' preseason game against the Dolphins on Aug. 14. The hope for the Commanders is that the veteran quarterback will be available to serve as the backup to Jayden Daniels for Week 1, but if that's not the case, then it would be Kaliakmanis who steps into the QB2 role behind Daniels. Across three preseason games, Kaliakmanis -- a seventh-round pick of the Commanders in the 2026 NFL Draft -- completed 24 of 37 passes for 294 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions.
