Giants Edge Azeez OjulariCooper Neill/Getty Images
The Commanders have the cap space necessary to be major players on the free agent and trade markets. However, targeting top talent may be a bigger priority than filling specific needs, given the pieces that are in place.
Washington has no first-round picks from the 2019-2023 drafts on its roster, and while it has some great foundational pieces, its list of legitimate stars is rather short.
Should a top-tier pass-rusher like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby become available in a trade, the Commanders will probably make an offer. The same could be true if a receiver like Deebo Samuel or Garrett Wilson hits the trade market.
Washington may also consider making a play for tight end Kyle Pitts, who has been underutilized by the Atlanta Falcons ever since his rookie season. Even if Ertz is retained, providing Daniels with a tight end who can stretch the field would aid the second-year quarterback significantly.
Behind McLaurin, Washington’s long-term receiver depth is questionable. While Payne and Allen are a terrific defensive tackle tandem, the Commanders could use more depth on the defensive interior and at defensive end.
Adding another top-tier defensive back to pair with 2024 trade-deadline acquisition Marshon Lattimore would also be plenty logical during the early offseason.
Again, Washington will likely look for upgrades rather than outright replacements for impending free agents.
The Commanders may (and likely will) target the likes of Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, New York Giants pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun during the legal-tampering period. If they can’t land premium players at those positions, they’ll likely then look to retain the likes of Brown, Wagner and Fowler when the market officially opens.
Don’t be surprised if Quinn pushes to fill out the roster with players he knows from his time with the Dallas Cowboys—as he did when targeting Armstrong, Fowler and Tyler Biadasz in 2024.
Impending Cowboys free agents like cornerback Jourdan Lewis, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa are probably firmly on Quinn’s radar.
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