The release of the unofficial depth chart has become a part of the training camp experience. NFL teams release the information, causing fans and reporters to speculate on what each player's position means going forward.

For the coaches and players, it's not viewed with the same level of scrutiny.

"I know it's a story...I recognize that you guys [media members] are doing your jobs to do that," head coach Dan Quinn said during his Monday morning press conference, "but it's not internally [a surprise], and it'll be much like you see at practice into the same format of how we're rolling through things."

That's not to say that the Washington Commanders' first unofficial depth chart that was released ahead of their preseason opener against the New York Jets is devoid of information. Rookies like Jayden Daniels, Brandon Coleman and Mike Sainristil were listed as starters, and there's an idea of where Jamin Davis and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (both listed as backups) stand among their counterparts. But as Quinn and his staff continue to search for the best 53 players before Week 1, they view it as more of a first step than a final decision.

"These things sort themselves out," Quinn said. "But it does take some time and some practices to do that."

The Commanders have gone through 10 days of practice, and several of the team's questions have become clearer in that span. At the top of that list is the quarterback position, as Daniels has continued to take steps towards being the regular season starter.

For now, however, Daniels will have to settle for being the preseason starter, and the team views it as a representation of how far he has come since camp began. Quinn admitted that he had high expectations for Daniels, but the rookie has surpassed them with his readiness and command of the huddle. Quinn said it still wasn't an easier decision, because he's also been impressed with what Marcus Mariota has shown in practice.

At the same time, Daniels had earned the right to start against the Jets.

"He's just got that way about him," Quinn said. "But yet, you do see the other players gravitate toward [him]. They recognize how hard he's worked at it."

Coleman, one of the Commanders' third-round picks from TCU, has been on a similar path. The questions about his size and whether he could play tackle have all but disappeared for now, as he has held his own against the team's best defensive linemen with his quick feet and strong hands.

The unofficial depth chart confirms that Washington will face one of the league best defenses with a rookie at quarterback and left tackle this weekend, and the possibility of them being in the lineup for Week 1 seems more likely by the day. Quinn is not concerned with that, though. He wants the best players on the field, and so far, both Daniels and Coleman have been among that group.

"I've been pleased with the guys and the competing," Quinn said. "And so, for the guys who are listed near the top with that, they've earned that right to do that."

The same can be said for Mike Sainristil, who has been the starter at the "star" position on the Commanders' defense since came began and held it with his approach that has been praised by Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. The position requires players to communicate with "a high level of confidence," Whitt said, and Sainristil has excelled at that.

"He does not walk around as if he's a rookie," Whitt said. "He asks really good questions. He has a good presence about himself, a maturity about himself that's going to give him an opportunity to help us."

But there is a reason why Quinn views the unofficial depth chart as a first step in the process rather than something more solid; the Commanders have yet to see another opponent -- one that has a different system led by different players -- which will present a more accurate portrayal of how their players stack up against the rest of the league.

On offense, the Commanders will face a Jets defense that was one of the best in the league in 2023, particularly against passing attacks. Their secondary, led by Sauce Gardner, was second in yards allowed, while their pass-rush was top 10 in sacks (48).

Sainristil and the Commanders' defense will face off against Aaron Rodgers, who is coming off an Achilles tear but still regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in league history, in practice. His presence alone is expected to elevate a unit that finished 31st in total yards per game and 30th in passing yards per game.

The Commanders will also face the Miami Dolphins -- a playoff team -- and the New England Patriots with both games providing opportunities to evaluate the roster.

"And no better time over the next two weeks than to go battle against some other teams and some practices, some games," Quinn said. "The next two weeks will be a blast."

The other reason the team doesn't put much stock in the unofficial depth chart is that it doesn't necessarily reflect how valuable certain players could be to Washington's weekly game plans. Forbes, for example, is listed as a backup but has been working with the starting defense throughout camp. Dante Fowler Jr. is listed as an outside linebacker but has been more as a defensive end in practice.

And the current depth chart doesn't adequately show how valuable players, both starters and backups, could be to the team's success.

"Quite honestly, if I had a real depth chart right now, there'd probably be 15 starters because I'm not quite certain between this person and this person," Quinn said. "So that's why it's not as big a deal internally."

The Commanders still have a long way to go, and many more tests, before they need to put together a real depth chart. The preseason games will help that take shape, but even then, the depth chart will be more of a fluid document at several positions.

As for which players will ultimately emerge, Quinn wants to let them sort that out.

"That's what real competition is about," Quinn said.