History is about to repeat itself for the Washington Commanders, but with the Jayden Daniels butterfly effect.
NFL free agency starts with Monday’s legal tampering period followed by the kickoff of official signings on Wednesday. Like last year, Washington’s internal free-agent list runs more than 20 names deep. Accordingly, the needs list is also lengthy outside of the quarterback.
Unlike 2024, when the team was coming off a four-win season and the stink lingered from the previous regime, these Commanders finished last season with a 12-5 record, a trip to the NFC Championship Game and a rising star at the sport’s most important position.
Daniels is the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year and arguably the conference’s top quarterback. His electric first season and the team’s success have made Washington a desirable destination. The Commanders can aim higher in free agency instead of primarily looking for value additions with competitive streaks to help recalibrate the roster and locker room.
General manager Adam Peters doesn’t only have good vibes to work with. Washington enters free agency among the league leaders in salary-cap space, even after acquiring wide receiver Deebo Samuel and agreeing to re-sign linebacker Bobby Wagner. More room opened when the team released two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.
GO DEEPER
Commanders GM Adam Peters takes risk-reward path in Deebo Samuel trade
Samuel’s camp worked with the San Francisco 49ers to facilitate a trade, and the receiver told his agent that Washington “was one of the teams at the top of my list.” Few, if any players, with options expressed such desires in recent years. Times have changed. So have expectations.
The Commanders maintain a roster-building stance through the draft and have six selections, including three in the top 79. However, targeting veterans at rungs higher than most of last year’s signings can help boost the storyline few imagined a year ago. These Commanders are contenders.
Some information in this story is from The Athletic’s top 150 free agents list.
Internal free agents
Retaining Wagner checks an important box for Washington, and the same applies to the Samuel trade. Almost everyone on the free-agent list had a moment or many during the unexpected ride, yet there isn’t a must-keep name among them. That’s what makes projecting who returns challenging.
Justifications exist across the board, but the same applies to Peters finding players who could offer a more significant impact. Washington may slow-play certain potential re-signings to allow the marketplace to unfold. Regardless, keeping key pieces is part of the agenda.
Here’s an educated guess at the players likely to stay: Tight end Zach Ertz, wide receivers Noah Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus, cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, punter Tress Way, defensive tackle Sheldon Day, defensive end Clelin Ferrell, offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas and special-teamer Nick Bellore.
Like Wagner, Ertz’s intangibles, leadership and production outweigh aging concerns — both turn 35 this year. His innate ability to create space in the red zone proved invaluable. The receiver room needs another outside target and depth. Brown’s size and physicality led to him becoming the No. 2 receiver next to All-Pro Terry McLaurin until a season-ending kidney injury. Zaccheaus’ toughness and positional flexibility epitomize coach Dan Quinn’s desires, and the occasional punt returner could be a better value if Dyami Brown’s market grows.
Cornerback Mike Sainristil finished the year playing outside in part because keeping Igbinoghene in the slot helped maximize the secondary. Where Sainristil lands positionally will impact Igbinoghene’s future. The defensive line room has four players, so Washington keeps depth options from last season. Way, Washington’s longest-tenured player, remains a viable punter and holder on top of being a popular locker room guy.
There are some glaring omissions, players whose markets may prove volatile.
Underrated tight end John Bates is an essential target for the Commanders and other teams who are bolstering their blocking. Replacing the four-year pro won’t be easy. Keeping Ertz and Bates is vital until Ben Sinnott demonstrates he’s ready for a heavy workload.
Washington might view Jeremy Chinn as an immediate re-sign after the thumper showed significant growth as the season progressed. However, the safety free-agent class runs deep, and the Commanders could seek alternatives.
Dyami Brown went from an inconsistent player for his first three-plus years to becoming a surprise go-to threat in the playoffs. Some teams desperate for speed at receiver may consider that stretch as some turning point for the 2021 third-round pick. Whether Washington does is the bigger question. Dyami Brown’s speed and Noah Brown’s size make them a decent complement to McLaurin and Samuel.
Teams wanting pass rush help could make Dante Fowler Jr. a strong offer, enough to leave Quinn after following the coach from stop to stop since 2020. Fowler’s 10 1/2 sacks last season showed he’s still productive as a role player. However, Washington needs a forceful presence on the edge for all three downs.
Marcus Mariota’s situation is unclear until the league-wide game of quarterback musical chairs shows whether a potential spot or bridge starter role exists elsewhere, like the Indianapolis Colts.
Washington shouldn’t have trouble re-signing running back Jeremy McNichols, defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes and, if Mariota leaves, quarterback Jeff Driskel if needed.
External free agents
The question here is how aggressive the front office aims. It seems logical to follow last year’s approach of going for quantity in free agency while upping the quality — think more players in the Frankie Luvu-Tyler Biadasz tier — and strongly consider higher-profile talent that won’t cost draft picks.
Swing big
Khalil Mack, DE, 34
Want aggressive action during the two-year window before Daniels becomes eligible for an extension? Here we go.
Adding an edge defender in the draft, free agency or both is necessary. No Myles Garrett trade is currently available, but Cincinnati granted 2024 sacks leader Trey Hendrickson permission to gauge the market. The rub is the cost, as in draft picks more than salary, though an extension may run around $30 million annually.
Mack won’t come cheap — Pro Football Focus projects a two-year, $45 million deal with $40 million guaranteed — but Washington is interested. Those terms fit perfectly into the two-year window and will likely be cheaper than the overhyped Josh Sweat. The Los Angeles Chargers won’t let Mack escape easily, especially after releasing Joey Bosa.
Yes, Mack turned 34 this year and a groin injury led to a dip in production — six sacks and 49 quarterback pressures in 2024 after 17 and 88 in 2023. Still, he remains a force on all three downs. Mack is seventh among active players with 107 1/2 sacks, and PFF graded him No. 2 against the run among defensive ends in 2024.
Khalil Mack has had double-digit sacks in five of his 11 NFL seasons, including in 2023 when he had a career-best 17. (Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
Ronnie Stanley, OT, 30
This mention falls into the same aggressive mindset and short window angle but with less conviction. PFF has Stanley signing for two years at $40 million with $27.5 million guaranteed. The Athletic’s No. 1-ranked free agent played 17 games last season after only 31 total over the previous four years.
The main impetus for Washington is the lack of quality left tackle options in free agency. If the Commanders want a legitimate veteran upgrade, here he is. Signing Stanley would push Brandon Coleman or Andrew Wylie inside, but the two-time Pro Bowler’s injury history may make Washington’s interest level go from risky to unadvisable. The Commanders could draft a young tackle at No. 29, regardless.
Familiar faces
Washington’s free-agent plan last year centered on players whose careers overlapped with Peters, Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and other staffers. Considering the success, expect more of the same.
Marquise Brown, WR, 27
The 2019 first-round pick is more name-brand than a productive pass catcher — his lone 1,000-yard season was in 2021. “Hollywood” did catch 67 passes during the 2022 season with the Arizona Cardinals under then-head coach Kingsbury, and he had at least 51 receptions in four consecutive years before missing 15 games in Kansas City last season with a clavicle injury.
More notably, Brown’s speed-threat reputation remains warranted, and Washington will need a burner to run with McLaurin and Samuel if Dyami Brown signs elsewhere.
Aaron Banks, G, 27
Washington has a short-term need at right guard as Sam Cosmi recovers from a torn ACL and could upgrade over left guard Nick Allegretti. Banks, a 2021 second-round pick during Peters’ time with San Francisco, started 43 games over his last three seasons.
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, 32
Lawrence reached consecutive Pro Bowls in three years under Quinn in Dallas and averaged 7.4 sacks during his 11-year career. Unlike his former teammate Fowler, Lawrence can contribute on all three downs. However, he’s coming off a season-ending Lisfranc right foot injury. The medical staff will be part of any decision-making. The head coach knows what Lawrence can do when healthy.
GO DEEPER
NFL free agency predictions: One top target for every team in 2025
Levi Onwuzurike, DT, 27
This lineman target, drafted by Detroit with Washington assistant general manager Lance Newmark in the front office, is about hoping a new team will get more out of the Lions’ 2021 second-round pick.
The powerful Onwuzurike missed the 2022 season after spinal fusion surgery and didn’t start a game until last year. In those 10 starts, the 6-foot-3, 290-pounder had an impressive 11.7 percent pressure rate. The Commanders have significant playing time available after Allen’s release.
Jourdan Lewis, CB, 29
Another former player under Quinn, Lewis is a formidable slot cornerback with tone-setting vibes who remained healthy the past two seasons after a significant foot injury in 2022. That he wasn’t among the Dallas players migrating to Washington last year shouldn’t be overlooked.
Talanoa Hufanga, S, 26
Drafted by Peters in 2021, the fifth-rounder is one of the executive’s better finds. Hufanga earned All-Pro honors in his second season after generating four interceptions and two forced fumbles. He had three interceptions through 10 games in 2023 before a Week 11 ACL tear forced him to miss the rest of the season. He also missed 10 games in 2024 after suffering a wrist injury in Week 5.
Like trading for Samuel, this potential signing hinges on Peters’ belief in this athletic defender who thrives near the line of scrimmage.
Tre’von Moehrig, S, 25
The connection is with Washington’s defensive pass game coordinator, Jason Simmons, who coached Moehrig and the Raiders’ defensive backs from 2022 to 2023. The league-wide interest in the 2021 second-round pick surged after the rangy safety thrived upon moving closer to the line of scrimmage. Moehrig set career highs in tackles and pass breakups last season.
Wait, there’s more
Darius Slayton, WR, 28
Slayton’s career average of 15.0 yards per catch is impressive, considering the New York Giants’ quarterback play over his six seasons. He could thrive in one-on-one situations playing with Daniels, McLaurin and Samuel.
Mekhi Becton, G, 25
The 11th pick of the 2020 draft found a new home at guard during a career-rejuvenating season with the Philadelphia Eagles. This 6-foot-7, 363-pounder can struggle in pass protection but would be a boon for Washington’s run game, which faded late last season.
GO DEEPER
Commanders mock draft 2.0: Attacking the trenches, adding cornerback help
Jedrick Wills, OT, 25
Speaking of reclamation projects, the 2020 first-round pick rarely found a successful form with the Browns, despite starting in 57 of 58 games. Injuries limited the former University of Alabama starter to 13 games over the past two seasons.
Can the Commanders turn Wills into a left tackle or dependable reserve? Becton signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal last year. Wills might be worth something similar.
Harold Landry, DE, 28
Released by the Tennessee Titans on Friday, Landry’s value falls somewhere between Mack and Lawrence. The edge rusher had 19 1/2 sacks and played all 34 games the past two seasons after missing 2022 with an ACL tear.
Paulson Adebo, CB, 25
Signing Adebo would be akin to last year’s prove-it contracts following his fractured femur last season. He has ball-hawking traits (seven interceptions and 28 pass breakups since 2023). Reuniting Adebo with Marshon Lattimore, his former teammate in New Orleans, would allow Sainristil to move back inside.
Others: RB Kenneth Gainwell, WR Keenan Allen, WR Amari Cooper, WR Cooper Kupp (release expected), TE Evan Engram, G Will Fries, G Teven Jenkins, OT Cam Robinson, DE Chauncey Golston, DE Azeez Ojulari, DT Tershawn Wharton, CB Kendall Fuller, CB Charvarius Ward.
(Photo of Talanoa Hufanga: Ryan Kang / Associated Press)
