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Daily Slop – 19 Mar 25 – Re-live the second half of the ‘24 season with Commanders Log: Season 4, Episode 2

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A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders

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Articles

Commanders.com

Five things to know about S Will Harris

He’s got a good connection with Marshon Lattimore.

Harris is eager to get himself acquainted with his new teammates, but he already has a close relationship with one of the Commanders’ defensive backs. For the first time since Week 9 last season, Harris will get to work alongside Marshon Lattimore again.

“That’s my dog,” Harris said of Lattimore. “That’s my guy. Definitely super excited to reconnect with him. Obviously, enough can’t be said about [Lattimore]. He’s a super competitor. The guy’s been doing it at a high level for so long.”

Lattimore was the first big move the Commanders made to revamp their secondary by trading for him from the New Orleans Saints. He only played in two regular season games because of a hamstring injury, but the coaches like the competitiveness he brings to the field and believe he’ll get back to playing at a Pro Bowl level with a full offseason of recovery in their program.

But Harris knows the kind of player Lattimore can be when he’s healthy. It wasn’t long ago that Lattimore was a regular selection for the Pro Bowl and getting double-digit pass breakups. That talent flashed at times when Harris and Lattimore were on the field together, and Harris is excited to be paired up together again.

“When you’re playing the safety position, it definitely makes your job a little easier having guys like that out there,” Harris said.

ESPN

2025 NFL free agency: Experts debate best, worst signings

What was the biggest head-scratcher signing of free agency?

Solak: The Commanders signing Kinlaw. It is a big overpay, though it’s not surprising why it happened. Commanders general manager Adam Peters drafted Kinlaw with the 49ers, and he remains one of the most physically impressive defensive tackles. Dan Quinn’s defense is a good fit for his skill set, too — simple, upfield responsibilities. But $15 million per year is a huge number for a player who hasn’t strung together consistent, starting-caliber play.

Washington Post (paywall)

The Commanders added 10 new players. Here’s how they fit in.

Adam Peters and the Washington Commanders prioritized adding big bodies on both offense and defense in free agency. Here’s a deeper look.

Washington Commanders General Manager Adam Peters started the offseason by retaining 18 internal free agents and signing or trading for 10 new players. Peters prioritized helping quarterback Jayden Daniels and bringing in big bodies. Seven of the 10 new players are linemen, and they are big in different ways.

Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, for example, is 6-foot-5, 319 pounds and has 34⅞-inch arms — those metrics, according to a database of scouting combine figures, are all in the 84th percentile or higher for defensive linemen.

The team also added backups with size: edge rusher Deatrich Wise Jr. (96th percentile arms), defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (94th percentile weight) and guard Nate Herbig (93rd percentile weight).

The emphasis on heft seems like a direct response to the Philadelphia Eagles, whose famously big and talented lines helped them win Super Bowl LIX.

But the strategy also seems more nuanced than that. Let’s look at how all 10 players might fit with the team, including a “one-liner,” which is used by many NFL scouts to summarize player reports.

LT Laremy Tunsil

Elite, force-multiplying left tackle who lets play-callers set their clocks to island time.

Tunsil (6-5, 313) is the most important addition of the offseason so far because of how he should upgrade Daniels’s protection. He’s one of the league’s best pass blockers. Expect offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to leave him one-on-one against top pass rushers.

DT Javon Kinlaw

Big, disruptive lineman who has a good motor, and though his attacking style can lead to misses against the run and on tackles, the Commanders are betting they can maximize his size and pass-rush strengths.

Kinlaw’s three-year deal worth up to $45 million was one of the most widely panned moves of free agency. One critic, salary cap analyst Jason Fitzgerald, graded the signing an “F.” A rival NFL personnel executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss another team’s signing, called it “a pretty big bet.”

The deal could make better sense if the Commanders use Kinlaw more as a pass rusher. He struggled with the New York Jets as a run-stopping nose tackle last year but flashed improvement at the end of a lost season. Kinlaw, who struggled with knee injuries in college and early in his NFL career, played every game the past two seasons and is just 27, meaning the optimistic take is that the Commanders bought low on a potentially ascending player.

Former NFL tight end Logan Paulsen, now a Commanders analyst, suggested on an episode of the “Take Command” podcast that Washington’s defense could use Kinlaw as a big end. Coach Dan Quinn had a similar role for a similarly sized player in Red Bryant (6-5, 326) when he coached Seattle’s defense.

S Will Harris

Whack-a-mole hammer who can line up anywhere and deliver tone-setting hits.

Harris (6-1, 206) will likely get the first crack at replacing safety Jeremy Chinn, who signed with Las Vegas, but Harris is truly versatile. In his first six seasons — five with Detroit and one with New Orleans — he played both safety spots, slot corner and outside corner. Last year, he started 13 games and played mostly safety.

Sports Illustrated

Commanders starting WR provides major update

The Washington Commanders received good news regarding wide receiver Noah Brown’s 2024 season-ending injury.

During Washington’s week 13 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Brown suffered an injury that isn’t all that common on the football field. It took some time for the injury to be announced but when it was, Brown was hit with a season-ending kidney injury that cut his season short immediately.

With his future up in the air following the end of the 2024 season, the Commanders did right by the veteran wideout, re-signing him to a one-year, $4.5 million deal this free agency period and when speaking with the media, Brown gave an update on his rehab from his season-ending kidney injury that Commanders’ fan should be joyous about.

Commanders’ receiver Noah Brown says he’s been fully cleared from his season-ending injury for about two weeks now and is working hard toward the upcoming season.

ESPN

Commanders 2025 free agency tracker: Offseason moves, signings

Foster Sarell, OT

The former Charger joins Washington on a one-year deal.

What it means: Depth. Washington needed more offensive line competition, especially for a swing tackle. The Commanders do have the veteran Scott, who was a No. 4 tackle last year; and starting right tackle Andrew Wylie might be an option if they move Coleman to his spot. But they needed another young player — Sarell is 26 — to compete for a job. Of his 328 offensive snaps the past three years with the Chargers, 290 came at right tackle.

What’s the risk: None. Sarell still has to make the team and the Commanders just needed more players to fill out the roster. He does offer some size at 6-foot-6, 322 pounds and that’s needed as well. The Commanders would be wise to find more young interior depth to develop via the draft but Sarell does not impact that ability at all.

Podcasts & videos

Winning Time Moments | Commanders Log: Season 4, Episode 2

The 10 Offensive Gems of the 2025 NFL Draft

NFC East links

Bleeding Green Nation

Brandon Graham officially announces his retirement

The Eagles’ 2010 first-round pick made his announcement on Tuesday during a press conference at the NovaCare Complex.

Pro Football Focus

The Eagles have let several key contributors walk, but that’s OK

After winning the franchise’s second Super Bowl, the Eagles had some decisions to make in the offseason. They let several key players walk in free agency, including Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Mekhi Becton, Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Isaiah Rodgers and Oren Burks, while also trading Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to the Texans. That sounds like a lot. But the Eagles are built to survive such high-volume departures.

Williams can be replaced by Moro Ojomo, who came on late last season and earned an 89.5 PFF overall grade in the Super Bowl. Jalyx Hunt started to see an increased role late in the year and could be a very capable replacement for Sweat. And we all saw what the Eagles’ rookie cornerbacks accomplished last season to know they are in good hands despite losing their veteran options.

General manager Howie Roseman has built his roster to allow the Eagles to reload for next season rather than rebuild.

NFL league links

Articles

ESPN

2025 NFL mock draft: Mel Kiper’s Round 1 pick predictions

3. New York Giants

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Even if the Giants land Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, they need to think about the future under center. Rodgers is 41. Wilson is 36. Neither would be the long-term fix. That’s why I still think the Giants could draft Sanders at No. 3. And signing one of those veterans — two guys who have won Super Bowls — then double-dipping at the position with Sanders would only help the rookie learn and develop. There would be no pressure to start Sanders right away or be the guy in Week 1.

In Sanders, New York would get a super accurate passer (74.0% completion rate in 2024) who is tough as nails. Despite taking the most sacks in the FBS over the past two seasons (94), he also tied for second in touchdown passes (64) during that time frame. Sanders could provide some QB stability to New York for the first time since Eli Manning was taking the snaps.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

No change on my Cowboys pick projection from my last mock draft. Hampton actually firmed up his first-round case at the combine, running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and leaping 10 feet, 10 inches in the broad jump. He is a home run hitter who could spark something in this Dallas running game, which has been dormant for the past two campaigns. The Cowboys averaged 4.0 yards per carry over that time, tied for fourth worst in the league.

So, even after signing Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to low-risk deals, I think the Cowboys could draft Hampton. He is the kind of difference-maker they need at the position. He rushed for 3,164 yards and 30 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

29. Washington Commanders

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Hairston also was my projected pick for the Commanders before the combine. It makes sense. Washington is in win-now mode, and cornerback remains a question mark even after the team traded for Marshon Lattimore at the deadline last year.

The Commanders signed Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene to replace Benjamin St-Juste, but Hairston could still work his way into a starter role on the outside. He can create takeaways (six INTs over the past two seasons). And he ran a 4.28 at the combine, the fastest 40-yard dash across all positions this year. Figuring out the outside corner spots would allow Mike Sainristil to settle back into the slot, where he’s at his best.

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

This would be the third time in four years that the Eagles draft a defensive tackle, and GM Howie Roseman has historically favored the trenches on Day 1 of the draft. We just talked about the Chiefs’ offensive line issues, and it was the Eagles’ defensive line that gave it fits at the Super Bowl. Milton Williams had two sacks in that game. Williams also is now in New England on a big free agent deal, so Roseman could go back to the trenches again to find a replacement.

Nolen is very disruptive thanks to explosive traits and strong hands. He had 6.5 sacks and 15 run stops last season. And while he didn’t go to Georgia, Nolen at least keeps the Eagles’ direct line to SEC defensive tackles alive.

NFL.com

WR Olamide Zaccheaus sees similarities between Commanders under Jayden Daniels, Bears with Caleb Williams

Following a roller-coaster season, the key will be Williams becoming as efficient and dynamic as Daniels is in Washington.

“The biggest thing, I think, is just the mental aspect of it for any young quarterback, especially Caleb,” Zaccheaus said Monday, via the team’s official transcript. “He has all the talent that you need to be a top-tier quarterback in the league. A lot of it’s just going to be the mental aspect of it and kind of just slowing the game down.”

Zaccheaus noted that he knew Daniels had the goods after an impressive throw during OTAs but that the rookie proved his mettle and growth throughout the season.

“The biggest thing is just the connection,” he said. “That was one thing that [we] prided ourselves on doing is just being able to connect as quickly as possible. That’s how you really take off. The connection throughout the building, not just from player to player, player to coach, coach to players — but media team to player, player to chef, training room, everybody in the building has to connect as fast as possible. Then we’ll see what that takes us, but that puts you in the best position to be able to have success.”

NFL.com

Top 101 free agents of 2025: Aaron Rodgers, Stefon Diggs among best available players in free agency

BEST AVAILABLE

Rank 11 – Amari Cooper – WR · Age: 31

Cooper’s one year on, one year off pattern continued in two places last season. By all accounts, he was playing through injuries late in his Bills stint, which helps explain his lack of production. Teams could buy the dip for one last big season at a reasonable price.

Rank 21 – Asante Samuel Jr. – CB · Age: 25

Knocked for his poor tackling and inability to play press coverage, Samuel is a playmaker who steadily improved in his Chargers tenure. He’d be a big asset in the right system.

Rank 25 – Aaron Rodgers – QB · Age: 41

Watching some Rodgers film from 2021 recently was a reminder of just how much slower he is these days and less willing to take a hit. With that said, he was still accurate in 2024 and improved as the season wore on. He’s a good bridge quarterback if you can live with the drama that comes with him.

Rank 27 – Cam Robinson – OT · Age: 29

Twice given the franchise tag by the Jaguars, Robinson will probably be viewed as a league-average starting left tackle. That’s an upgrade for plenty of teams.

Rank 28 – Stefon Diggs – WR · Age: 31

Diggs was transitioning to a cagey slot option before tearing his ACL with the Texans. A stay in Houston would make sense for both sides.

Rank 29 – Teven Jenkins – OG · Age: 27

Young starting guards with draft pedigree don’t usually last in free agency. Jenkins has turned his career around after a slow start in Chicago.

Rank 34 – Calais Campbell – DT · Age: 39

This may seem like a high ranking for a year-to-year guy who turns 39 in September, but Campbell is consistently one of the best players on every team he joins. I’m sick of constantly ranking him too low!

Discussion topics

NFL.com

NFL Power Rankings: Bears, 49ers rise after early 2025 free agency moves; Texans tumble

[L]ast year is really last year, and it no longer matters.

That is, of course, only partly true. The top of the rankings actually look remarkably similar to our post-Super Bowl edition, so there’s clearly some natural carryover. If we’re being honest with ourselves, of the dozens of offseason additions we’re spending so much time parsing these days, only a few might pay real dividends. Some of the losses we’re lamenting will only hurt so much.

Rank 1 Philadelphia Eagles

Life’s good in Philly, where the Eagles have taken some hits this offseason — as expected — but no one seems all that concerned. One reason for that: General manager Howie Roseman has drafted so well and seems to have planned out, years in advance, how the big picture should and will look.

Rank 6 Washington Commanders

The Commanders likely were always going to be aggressive this offseason, but when Jayden Daniels started balling out last season and the team moved into the ranks of presumptive contenders, their focus apparently tightened. That’s why you’re seeing targeted, go-for-it trades for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil. Those have been the two biggest moves so far, but the remainder of their additions (and there have been plenty) to this point have been on the defensive side of the ball, which still needs help, while the offense is pretty darned close. Most of these acquisitions on D were smaller upgrades at best, and don’t forget that Washington also released Jonathan Allen. So we have to keep our expectations fair here, especially knowing the Commanders have used up a good amount of draft capital via trades, both for this year and next.

Rank 22 Dallas Cowboys

The recent drama following DeMarcus Lawrence’s exit may not have a lasting imprint on the Cowboys, but it does paint an interesting picture of the current leadership. This is Dak Prescott’s team, but it’s also CeeDee Lamb’s and Micah Parsons’ team, too. Parsons technically hangs in the balance prior to his extension, but it feels as if the Cowboys will lock him up long-term at some point soon. That naturally will elevate his voice even more in the locker room, which is transitioning from Mike McCarthy to Brian Schottenheimer.

Rank 31 New York Giants

The Giants have had an interesting offseason, and we haven’t even really gotten to the good stuff yet. They’ve made some pretty notable additions on defense with CB Paulson Adebo, S Jevon Holland and DE Chauncey Golston. The offensive signings have been mostly of the depth variety. The most exciting buzz has been at quarterback, with Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers most closely connected. This is a team acting like its only issue was the lack of a functioning QB last season. That scares me a little. The G-Men are poised to make a big imprint on the draft, and there’s still time to get this thing right. But what if their veteran QB options dry up? I’ll be really interested to see how GM Joe Schoen plays the next six weeks.

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