Washington Commanders
Projected Cap Space: $68.9 million
Draft Picks: 7
- 1st (No. 29)
- 2nd (No. 61)
- 3rd (No. 79, MIA)
- 5th (No. 148, NO)
- 6th (No. 206)
- 7th (No. 238, DEN)
- 7th (No. 249, PHI)
Notable Free Agents:
- LB Bobby Wagner
- S Jeremy Chinn
- TE Zach Ertz
- DE Dante Fowler Jr.
- CB Benjamin St-Juste
- WR Dyami Brown
- WR Olamide Zaccheaus
- WR Noah Brown
- DE Clelin Ferrell
- QB Marcus Mariota
- CB Noah Igbinoghene
- CB Michael Davis
- TE John Bates
- WR K.J. Osborn
- P Tress Way
- K Zane Gonzalez
Top Three Needs
1 – Wide Receiver
There are a lot of remarkable things about the 2024 Commanders but near the top of the list has to be how much success they had without any real pass catchers of note outside of No. 1 WR Terry McLaurin and Ertz. Washington cobbled together a Frankenstein No. 2 with Zaccheaus and both Browns. Dyami Brown is kind of interesting as a former third-round pick who came on strong at the end of the year but Noah Brown and Zaccheaus are career depth receivers — solid No. 3 and No. 4 options but not consistent or dynamic enough to be serious threats to opposing defenses.
As Washington tries to stay ahead of the curve on opposing defenses who will spend this offseason dissecting tape of QB Jayden Daniels, finding more dynamic playmakers to complement McLaurin and give the offense more potential answers should be a major priority.
2 – Defensive End
Like a lot of other position groups, the Commanders’ edge rushers were a lot more productive than people expected in 2024. Washington redid the room entirely under new HC Dan Quinn, with Fowler and DE Dorance Armstrong coming over with him from Dallas and Ferrell also being added in free agency. Armstrong is still under contract but Fowler and Ferrell signed one-year deals and Fowler in particular could cash in after recording 10.5 sacks.
Regardless, all three players are varying degrees of complementary rushers. Washington lacks a true No. 1 pass rusher on the edge, someone who can consistently rack up double-digit sacks and not only take advantage of the push from the duo of DTs Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, but create opportunities for them to pile up production as well.
3 – Cornerback
Washington was No. 3 in the NFL in passing yards allowed but that’s a bit of a misnomer because they were what’s called a run funnel defense. Teams had so much success running the ball against the Commanders (30th in rush yards allowed) that they didn’t have to pass. The Commanders were 15th in passing touchdowns allowed and 26th in interceptions with just seven on the season.
Two starting spots are probably already spoken for, as 2024 second-round CB Mike Sainristil settled into his role as the season progressed. The Commanders envisioned veteran CB Marshon Lattimore being a multi-year contributor when they traded for him at midseason. But Lattimore’s hamstring continued to give him issues, limiting him to just two games in the regular season, and the guys who played instead of him are on expiring contracts. Finding a quality nickel corner and insurance for Lattimore should be a high priority for Washington.
One Big Question
Can Washington sustain its surprise success?
It really was a charmed year for the Commanders after so many years of dysfunction and misery. It was the first full season that new owner Josh Harris was in charge of after taking over for previous owner Dan Snyder, and Harris hired Quinn and new GM Adam Peters who oversaw the pick of Daniels at No. 2 overall. There was a lot of optimism with so many new faces but almost no one predicted a run to the NFC championship game in Year 1.
Landing a future franchise starter like Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, would be a transformative move in and of itself. But it wasn’t just Daniels. The Commanders had people up and down the roster, even whole position groups, dramatically exceed preseason expectations. Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury had his best season as an NFL play-caller by far, better than anything he produced as the head coach for Cardinals QB Kyler Murray. The offensive line was expected to be a weakness but that starting five — third-round LT Brandon Coleman, free agent G Nick Allegretti, free agent C Tyler Biadasz, G Samuel Cosmi and RT Andrew Wylie — thrived.
Washington got a rejuvenated Ertz and Ekeler and never let a lack of an established No. 2 receiver become a real problem. Players on defense like Fowler, Wagner, Chinn and LB Frankie Luvu lifted a defense that many expected to be among the league’s worst into an overall average to above-average unit. Not only did the Commanders finish with 12 wins and a playoff berth, they made a run all the way to the NFC title game.
The future seems bright. The Commanders have tons of spending money and a solid complement of draft picks that last year was supposed to help them take the next step from frisky to contender. Now they’re already contenders, and this war chest of assets will be directed by Peters and Quinn into going from good to great. It’s a much harder task but with a star like Daniels and a roster brimming with confidence, Washington seems up for the challenge.
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