Who will the Washington Commanders target in Free Agency?

With the scouting combine in the rear-view mirror, the non-stop treadmill that is the NFL offseason turns its focus to free agency next week.

The legal tampering window opens on Monday, March 13th at 12pm EST. Two days later, the NFL new year will officially begin at 4pm, and all deals that were agreed and announced will be made official.

The Washington Commanders enter the free agency period in a reasonable position in relation to the cap. Assuming Daron Payne signs his franchise tag and is not traded, the Commanders have just over $15.5 million in cap room, with a sizable chunk of that to be allocated to the rookie draft class. However, it’s possible that the Commanders could release or re-structure some players in the coming days to free up some extra cap room.

Listening to recent interviews with Ron Rivera, it seems unlikely that the Commanders will be making any big money signings, which would seem to rule out the likes of Orlando Brown, James Bradberry and Jamel Dean who would potentially be ideal fits in positions of need.

For the purposes of this exercise, I’m going to assume that the Commanders are not going to make any real big money splashes, and focus on the next tier of player who could earn ‘prove it’ or mid-tier deals at positions of need. Those positions are offensive line (all three positions), quarterback, cornerback, and off-ball linebacker.

Today, we will look at the defensive side of the ball, and before the legal tampering period commences, we’ll hit the offense.

Cornerbacks 

The Commanders defense generally played well last year, recovering most of the credibility lost in a disappointing 2021 season. However, there are a couple of fairly gaping holes that can be plugged either through free agency or the draft.

Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste urgently require a third serviceable cornerback to complement them in the secondary and there are a couple of intriguing options beyond the highly priced Bradberry and Dean. Let’s take a look at a few of the options. 

Cam Sutton (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Sutton will be 28 this year and has already been in the NFL for six seasons. His career trajectory has been gradual but he enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, allowing an opponent QBR of only 65.3 when targeted. In addition, he pocketed three interceptions and ranked sixth in passes defensed with 15 per The Athletic, and Steelers coaches have raved about his intelligence. 

Sutton also has positional flexibility having played outside corner, nickel, and also has popped up at free safety and dime linebacker. 

Teammates love his work ethic, intelligence and flexibility with All Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick  saying “ He is a great player. He challenges me mentally and physically”.

The Steelers have expressed interest in keeping him around. But according to SpotRac, a contract somewhere in the $7.5 million a year is his value and that’s a figure the Commanders could accommodate on a two or three-year deal with a decent signing bonus and low 2023 base salary.

Byron Murphy (Arizona Cardinals)

Murphy had a very solid 2022 before injury intervened, and is another player with positional versatility playing mostly outside last year having been an established slot corner in previous seasons. The 2019 second rounder is only 25 years-old but has been a reliable starter on a largely shaky Cardinals secondary. His positional versatility would be extremely valuable in a secondary where Fuller has mainly played on the outside, after having building his reputation on the inside in the earlier part of his career.  Murphy could offer help either inside or out, allowing Jack Del Rio to decide on the best combination and giving the Commanders three solid starters.

Linebackers 

Moving on to look at the off the ball linebackers, it is clear that this position group is one of the deepest in free agency. This also perhaps shows the lack of perceived value of the position with teams being more willing to move on rather than commit to expensive, long term deals. The long list for consideration included the likes of Tremaine Edmunds, Bobby Wagner, Rashaan Evans, Lavonte David and Eric Kendricks, but the following five offer quality production at a more reasonable price than some of those ‘name brand’ guys.

David Long (Tennessee Titans)

Commanders fans may feel that Long owes them one after intercepting Carson Wentz at the goal line in the final minute of the Titans narrow victory at Fed Ex Field last season. Long has been an ascending player in the last two seasons, amassing 161 tackles, 11 passes defensed and four interceptions over 22 games per The Athletic. The only knock on Long is he has been somewhat injury-prone over his career and his inability to stay on the field may have cost him an extension with the Titans.

If he can remain healthy, Long is a true three-down linebacker, who can effortlessly shed blocks and is a tackling machine from sideline to sideline. SpotRac has his contract value at around $5 million but competition for his services may see that figure move up.

Azeez Al-Shaair (San Francisco 49ers)

Al-Shaair has been unfortunate to have his opportunities limited by probably the best linebacker duo in the game in Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw with the Niners. However, when he has seen extended action he has shown enough to suggest that he can be a quality starter in his own right. 

Another player with versatility, Al Shaair has played all three linebacker positions and recorded 102 tackles in 2021 when covering for the injured Greenlaw. The undrafted 25 year-old is also more than capable of covering tight ends and slot receivers, something that has been a recurring problem for the Commanders. Al-Shaair may not have the big name of some of the other linebackers available, but could be extremely good value for a contract in the $4-5 million range.

Drue Tranquill (Los Angeles Chargers)

Tranquill is something of a late developer, having only really been a full-time starter last year in his 4th NFL season. However, it was worth the wait as he proved to be an every down linebacker, recording 146 total tackles with five sacks, 29 run stops, 10 tackles for loss and 4 passes defensed. Tranquill is at home in coverage which should appeal to the Commanders and his ability to time his blitzes to perfection saw him become a player that made multiple splash plays as well as being solid in run defense. An added bonus to his game is his leadership and intelligence, with Brandon Staley entrusting him with the green dot, calling the defensive signals. SpotRac has his value at around $4 million which is a price well worth paying for such a Swiss Army Knife linebacker.

TJ Edwards (Philadelphia Eagles)

A move for TJ Edwards would have the added benefit of removing a key defensive piece from a divisional rival. Edwards excelled in the middle of the Eagles defense last season and at 26, is in the prime of his career. Another every down linebacker, he was one of only four linebackers to grade over 75 against both the run and pass according to PFF, contributing 143 total tackles, two sacks and seven passes defensed. Edwards is generally considered to be better against the pass but is solid against the run and would be an excellent complement to Jamin Davis if Cole Holcomb moves on. The only impediment could be the price with SpotRac valuing him at $11.9 million.

Bobby Okereke (Indianapolis Colts)

Prior to last season, Okereke had been a solid starter on the Colts defense, but last year the 4th-year man stepped up in the absence of All-Pro, Darius Leonard to become the unit’s key figure. Career highs of 151 total tackles, two forced fumbles and five passes defensed meant that Leonard’s absence wasn’t as keenly felt as it might have been. However, Leonard is the highest paid linebacker in the NFL, and Okereke’s stellar play is likely to mean the Colts can’t afford to keep him. At 27, Okereke has plenty of good football ahead of him and the Commanders may want to take a look at him if the price is right.

Conclusion

The Commanders will of course have their own list of potential free agents to target, which will be linked in with draft plans, so it will be fascinating to see which holes they try and plug in the next couple of weeks and which they wait for the NFL Draft to address. Will they try and make a splash signing, or will they look to accumulate two or three mid-level starters who can strengthen areas of weakness? The players listed here are all at least mid level starters who may be realistic and affordable targets for Ron Rivera and his front office team to consider.