He was almost an afterthought when the Washington Commanders selected him in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft, but Athan Kaliakmanis is surprising his new team with a hidden talent this preseason.
Kaliakmanis was accurate during the 17-13 defeat to the Detroit Lions in Week 2, but ball placement wasn’t what stood out most. Instead, “what stood out the most about Kaliakmanis was his ability to stretch the field with his arm, which was not necessarily a highlighted part of his skill set in the draft process,” according Commanders.com Senior Writer Zach Selby.
The latter identified a theme among the pre-draft scouting reports about Kaliakmanis. So the Commanders are getting a bonus from how the former Rutgers passer is stretching the field in exhibition games.
Kaliakmanis’ burgeoning ability to attack coverage vertically can prove decisive in his battle with Sam Hartman for Washington’s QB3 role. The scrap to complete the depth chart at football’s most important position could hinge on what makes Kaliakmanis different from starter Jayden Daniels and backup Marcus Mariota.
Athan Kaliakmanis Defying Pre-Draft Expectations
Doubts about Kaliakmanis’ ability to push the ball vertically were shared by many pre-draft observers. Including Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson, who pointed out Kaliakmanis’ “Deep ball accuracy is spotty, leaving yards and points on the field.”
Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated’s Brandon Olsen believed Kaliakmanis “Doesn’t have the arm talent to consistently challenge NFL defenses downfield.”
Flipping this narrative has defined Kaliakmanis’ performance this preseason. Like when the 23-year-old “laid out a pass for Nick Nash down the sideline in the fourth quarter, which turned into a 55-yard gain. He also had another pass to Jaden Bradley in the third quarter that resulted in a 30-yard pickup,” per Selby.
The connection with Nash showed off Kaliakmanis’ accuracy and touch on vertical throws.
This fits with what the lone dissenting voice said about Kaliakmanis’ arm talent prior to the draft. The contrarian view was provided by Dane Brugler of The Athletic, who credited Kaliakmanis with “a more dialed-in downfield touch (28 completions of 20-plus yards in 2025, one behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza).”
Kaliakmanis showing his doubters he has pro-level arm strength is changing perceptions about his chances of earning a roster spot. Those chances look stronger thanks to endorsements from Daniels, as well as head coach Dan Quinn.
The rave reviews don’t bode well for Hartman, but they do indicate Kaliakmanis could have value beyond being a third-stringer.
Commanders Have Greater Flexibility at Quarterback
Kaliakmanis is offering Quinn something different at quarterback. As Selby put it, the rookie “is not like Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota in terms of his skill set. He’s not the type of player who will make defenders miss or get into the second level of the defense on a scramble. But he does have some solid traits.”
The Commanders have a more traditional, pocket-based passer when Kaliakmanis is in the lineup. Somebody content to set his feet and launch long passes from a stable platform.
GettyKaliakmanis is giving the Commanders throwback play at quarterback..
Kaliakmanis’ progress this preseason means the Commanders don’t need to make a move if injuries strike. That’s no-small advantage when Mariota is already sidelined with a knee problem, while Daniels dealt with hamstring, knee and ankle injuries during a rough second season.
Selby expects Kaliakmanis’ battle with Hartman “to continue all the way through the preseason finale,” but the rookie has surely played his way into a commanding lead.
Athan Kaliakmanis Revealing Hidden Skill to Commanders