The Washington Commanders are just a few pieces away from making it to the Super Bowl. By the time they reached the NFC Championship game, the team was tired. Fatigue played a part in the loss as much as anything else, which is why the 55-23 score makes it look like a more lopsided affair than it was.
The Commanders will be able to acquire pieces for the future in the draft, and they’ll look to free agency to fill a couple of immediate needs like additional weapons for Jayden Daniels and bolstering the run defense. To that end, ESPN’s Matt Bowen thinks two impending free agents would perfectly fit Washington.
First is Cincinnati star wide receiver Tee Higgins, who Bowen ranks as the No. 1 free agent:
The Commanders could pair Higgins with Terry McLaurin to give quarterback Jayden Daniels two true difference-makers on the perimeter. At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, Higgins can win at all three levels of the route tree in OC Kliff Kingsbury’s system. And with 23 career red zone touchdown catches, he would be a top target for Daniels close to the end zone. Injuries limited him to 12 games in 2024, yet he finished with 73 receptions for 911 yards.
While it would be a dream to see Higgins in a Commanders’ uniform this fall, it’s doubtful he ever hits the free agent market. The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly planning to use the franchise tag on Higgins if a deal can’t be reached so they have more time to finalize a long-term contract.
Next is Jets linebacker/edge Haason Reddick. Bowen has Reddick as his 17th-ranked free agent:
Reddick might be looking at a short-term deal after holding out to start the 2024 season before being traded to the Jets. But he has a history of making impact plays, with 59 sacks and 18 forced fumbles over his career. And before last season, he put together three straight campaigns with a pass rush win rate over 20%. Reddick would fill a need for the Commanders on the edge, and I like the fit as a schemed rusher in Dan Quinn’s defense.
Reddick, though, held out at the beginning of 2024 before being traded to the New York Jets. Since being drafted in 2017, Reddick has recorded 424 tackles, 59 sacks, 18 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 20 passes defended, and 44.5 stuffs. He could absolutely be what the Commanders need on the defensive side of the ball.
Free agency opens on March 12 at 4 p.m. EDT, and teams will be free to sign fresh faces to their rosters then.