The Washington Commanders will wrap up the 2024 preseason by hosting the New England Patriots on Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. Here are five questions for the Burgundy & Gold in the final test ahead of roster cuts.

1. Will the depth at receiver prove themselves?

The Commanders made a big move at wide receiver on Thursday, sending Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles for draft picks. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said that the move gets him excited about what it means for the rest of the room, which is full of players still trying to earn a roster spot.

Sunday will be the last chance for them to make their case.

Widely considered roster locks like Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown and Luke McCaffrey won't play much, if at all on Sunday, meaning players like Brycen Tremayne, Kazmeir Allen, Mitchell Tinsley and even Martavis Bryant should have ample snaps throughout the night.

Of those players, Tremayne has stood out the most in practice but hasn't done much in the preseason with just two catches. Other players, like Allen, have been put in different situations to see how much value he brings to the offense. Kingsbury said Allen could be used in a role similar to what the San Francisco 49ers do with Deebo Samuel, although he has yet to flash.

The Commanders have two or three open spots at receiver. If Tremayne or Allen want to show they deserve one of them, Sunday is the moment to take it.

2. Will someone compete for the punt return spot?

Washington has tried out several options at punt return to see if anyone can add any realistic competition for Jamison Crowder, who is listed at the top of the depth chart. Since the start of training camp, however, Crowder has been the first player to field punts in special teams drills.

In the preseason games against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, the Commanders put a few players back to return punts besides Crowder, who has yet to return a punt. Of those players, veteran Olamide Zaccheaus had the most successful run with a 19-yard return in MetLife Stadium. Davion Davis also had a long of 10 yards against the Jets but did not return a punt against the Dolphins. Allen had two opportunities to field punts in Miami, but only one was returnable.

Expect Washington to continue the trend of shuffling players around at punt returner until they can find one who can possibly give Crowder a run for the job. Perhaps one of them will be successful, but Crowder has years of experience in the role. That alone gives him tremendous value to the roster.

3. How much time, if any, will Brandon Coleman play?

There's a difference between "need" and "want," as Quinn put it when asked about the possibility of Brandon Coleman playing against the Patriots. They most certainly want to see him go against a pass-rusher made of players other than what he's seen in practice, but they also like what he's shown so far that there's not a pressing need to rush him onto the field.

Coleman, who appeared to be in the lead for the starting left tackle job, has not practiced in team drills since suffering a shoulder injury before the preseason opener against the Jets. Quinn hasn't seemed overly concerned about Coleman's long-term health, but the team kept him out of practice entirely until the joint practice with the Dolphins, when he was in pads but worked mostly off to the side.

Since then, Coleman has been on a ramp up routine. He still hasn't participated in team drills but has been seen in individual drills.

Signs are pointing to Coleman not playing in the preseason finale. All experience is good experience, though, and even getting a series on the field could help Coleman as he gets ready for the regular season. What the team will need to answer is how much that experience is worth for the third-round pick. If the answer is not that much, then it may be more beneficial to let him sit for now.

4. What's the answer for the third running back position?

Like many positions on the Commanders' roster, the running back position has plenty of answers at the top and not many at the bottom.

There are a few players in the running for the third back on the depth chart, including 2023 sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez, veteran Jeremy McNichols and undrafted free agent Michael Wiley. Rodriguez brings a physical style and solid work ethic, but McNichols has more experience as a pass-catcher. Wiley has flashed more consistently in the preseason, scoring a touchdown against the Jets.

Expect all three players to get time against the Patriots to prove they deserve the spot. In the end, the decision will likely come down to what the Commanders want their identity to be on offense. If they want to be more physical, then Rodriguez makes more sense over McNichols or Wiley. Conversely, both McNichols and Wiley offer more as a receiver out of the backfield.

Considering all three players have unique aspects to their skill set, this could be one of the most competitive position battles that we'll see unfold on Sunday.

5. Is Cade York the answer at kicker?

The Commanders have searched for months to find an answer at kicker. They let Ramiz Ahmed and Riley Patterson battle it out to start camp, only for both to be released weeks later. Here comes Cade York, who the Commanders traded a conditional seventh-round pick for on Thursday.

York, a fourth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2022, is young and struggled to find a permanent home since his rookie season but does have a strong leg. He hit 24 of his 32 field goal attempts in 2022, including a career-high 58-yard game-winner against the Carolina Panthers.

After spending time with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants, York returned to the Browns and hit both of his field goal attempts in the preseason, drilling a 55-yarder against the Green Bay Packers and splitting the uprights on a 33-yard attempt against the Minnesota Vikings.

Consider Sunday to be an audition for York. If he does well, then perhaps Washington is finally done searching for a kicker. If not, Washington can cut him at no loss and look among the pool of kickers who are certain to be released after cut day on Aug. 27.