The Commanders are coming off their most successful season since 2005 and an NFC Championship appearance, but the team still needs to fill gaps and gain strength offensively and defensively. It can do that quickly through the free-agent market. Here’s how.
It’s not debatable that the Commanders made the best decision of the year by drafting quarterback Jayden Daniels. Before drafting Daniels, the Commanders had been in a long-term quarterback crisis, starting 30+ QBs since their last NFL championship. But even with Daniels at QB, he can’t win everything alone, and the team has obvious needs.
The Commanders were the 7th best offensive team per the NFL, but they finished 18th in receiving yards. Terry McLaurin (1,096 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns) was the best receiver. On defense, the Commanders ranked 13th overall, but (again) there was a glitch: rushing defense ranked 30th, and if you watched any Commanders game, you witnessed a bad secondary.
That’s why picks in the Draft and pick-ups via free agency are so important. In this article, I’ll focus on the free agent market.
Potential Offensive Targets in Free Agency
The Commanders come into free agency with over 75 million in cap space and 28 free agents to re-sign or let go. Notable players to re-sign are Bobby Wagner (LB), Zach Ertz (TE), Jeremy Chinn (S), Tress Way (P), and Dante Fowler Jr. (EDGE). After the Commanders re-sign these players, they can start signing new players.
Chris Godwin (photo courtesy FOX Sports)
The Bucs’ Chris Godwin (WR) is an intriguing free agent. Godwin only played seven games in ’24 because he dislocated his ankle, but he still had 576 yards and five touchdowns, and he (despite missing more games than he played) was the team’s third-most in yards and touchdowns. Although an injury concern, he could be a fantastic addition at wide receiver two.
The team might want to address the backup quarterback position because Marcus Mariota and Jeff Driskel have become free agents. With the Raiders signing Chip Kelly, Mariota could leave for the Raiders. Because of Daniels, the Commanders don’t need to sign a first-line quarterback, but a solid backup is required. Believe it or not, one option is Taylor Heinicke (Chargers), who hasn’t played too much since leaving the Commanders after the 2022 season. While Heinicke wasn’t a star quarterback for the Commanders, he didn’t play terribly. Indeed, he was known for playing well, often at times when you wouldn’t expect.
Potential Defensive Targets in Free Agency
Khalil Mack (photo ESPN)
On the defensive side, my first FA pick is LB Khalil Mack (Chargers), who doubles as an edge rusher. While he had a down year statistically in ’24, he is still effective at getting pressure on the quarterback and containing wide runs, areas where the Commanders need help.
To bolster the backside defense, the Commanders should have eyes on Charvarius Ward (49eers), who played in 12 games last year and racked up 54 total tackles, 38 of which were solo tackles, and no yards with seven passes defended. Ward would be a great addition and probably be the team’s #1 corner. Then, there’s D.J. Reed (Jets), who played in 14 games with 64 total tackles, 52 solo, and no yards with 11 passes defended. Either way, Ward or Reed would be welcomed with open arms by the Commanders to play with a healthy Marshon Lattimore and Mike Sainristil.
Conclusion
The Commanders must address their lack of a clear second option at wide receiver. They also need to target players in free agency to address current troubles on defense, especially on the line and in the secondary.
Will the Commanders get all of these free agents? No, but it will help immensely if they get a combination of any of the players I’ve mentioned.
Good read! Looking forward to next season!