NFL free agency is less than one month away. As things stand today, the Washington Commanders have around $75 million in available salary cap space, according to Over the Cap. However, Washington does have 28 unrestricted free agents.
The Commanders are coming off a surprising 12-5 season. Not only did they shock everyone by winning 12 games, but Washington also won two road playoff games, falling short to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia in the NFC championship game.
General manager Adam Peters will be busy for the remainder of this month, huddling with head coach Dan Quinn to determine which free agents the Commanders will re-sign. While several players will return, Washington is expected to be aggressive in free agency.
How aggressive? The Commanders may not pursue someone like Tee Higgins, but that doesn’t mean they will not look for impact players.
Washington’s NFC East rivals have several quality players hitting the free-agent market. Sure, the franchise tag could take some players away, but let’s look at one defensive free agent the Commanders could target from each of their divisional foes.
Dallas Cowboys: DT Osa Odighizuwa
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Quinn was the Cowboys defensive coordinator for three seasons before coming to Washington. Ahead of Quinn’s first season in Dallas, the Cowboys used a third-round pick on Osa Odighizuwa. Odighizuwa has missed only one game in four NFL seasons — in his rookie season. The Cowboys, dating back to Quinn’s time there, often rotated the defensive linemen, so Odighizuwa played 57%, 54%, and 60% of the defensive snaps in Quinn’s three seasons. Last season, Odighizuwa played 78% of Dallas’ defensive snaps.
Quinn is reportedly a massive fan of Odighizuwa, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound interior rusher whose best football appears ahead of him. He’s a bit undersized but explosive and plays with great technique. The Commanders will bring back Daron Payne, but Jonathan Allen has one year of non-guaranteed money remaining on his contract. Washington could restructure or extend Allen to keep him around, sign Odighizuwa, and have a four-man rotation at defensive tackle with Allen, Payne, Odighizuwa, and Johnny Newton. All options are on the table for Washington, but improving the defensive line is a priority.
New York Giants: EDGE Azeez Ojulari
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51). Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Azeez Ojulari is a player many believed Gianta general manager Joe Schoen should have traded before last year’s trade deadline. NFL teams are always looking for pass-rush help. Now, Ojulari is a free agent and is expected to leave New York. While Ojulari may not land a large, multi-year contract, he is an extremely impressive speed rusher. He doesn’t turn 25 until June, so the upside remains high for Ojulari. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Ojulari isn’t known for his prowess against the run. But Quinn loves rotational pass rushers.
In his four NFL seasons, Ojulari has 22 sacks in 46 games. Injuries are a major concern with him. Ojulari has missed a total of 22 games in four seasons and has dealt with toe, calf, hamstring, and ankle injuries. Ojulari may need to sign a one-year prove-it deal. While no one could make the impact Saquon Barkley did for the Eagles, seeing Ojulari land with another NFC East rival in a featured role could be interesting.
Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Josh Sweat
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat (19). Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Do we sense a theme here? Every player we’ve mentioned as a potential target plays at the line of scrimmage. All three players bring juice to the pass rush. Josh Sweat made himself a lot of money after a strong season. He was even better in the playoffs, with a career-high 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl. Sweat has opted not to test the market before, which paid off for him. Now, for the first time in his career, Sweat can cash in. After the Super Bowl, he said money wasn’t everything, and he’s happy in Philadelphia.
But the Eagles can’t keep everyone. Sweat will be one of the top defensive players available in free agency. While he’s not an elite rusher, he’s a good pass rusher. He can also set the edge in the run game, potentially helping the Commanders improve their woeful run defense. Philadelphia may push to keep him, so there’s a chance he won’t hit the market. If he does, he’ll be paid well. Stealing him away from the Eagles would be a big win for Washington.
Despite being a seven-year veteran, Sweat will only be 28 this season, making him the type of player teams should invest in.