Commanders Free Agency Expectations

With Payne tagged, McCain cut and multiple Skins hitting free agency including 2 Guards Turner and Schweitzer, starter Cole Holcomb, and key back ups like Danny Johnson…what are your expectations? Who do you like?

I didn’t forget Henike either, but too much QB talk lately. Let’s look at the holes and what other players are leaving.

Right now Nickel Corner, starting LB and Right Guard are vacant. Depth is also questionable at LB, interior Oline and Corner in general. So the talk it’s not just the talk of “this can wait until draft”, we need more than just one body in these areas.

IMO, enough of drafting and Jon Bostic. Holcomb coming of injury and is a nice player…there should be inexpensive vet options at LB to pair with a “still” developing Davis.

Fuller is going into his final year as well, what about adding another vet to the CB room who has experience at Nickel?

Guard market this year is better than the previous couple, moving Cosmi is an option, but I’d look at bringing someone in at Guard.

Thoughts?

I don’t see us being big spenders…I don’t want that, but that doesn’t mean we can’t add some difference makers.

Ben Standig on Twitter

Don't expect the Commanders to be big free-agent spenders, but there is one intriguing category they can attack aggressively: prove-it deals.

Ben Standig on Twitter

Don't expect the Commanders to be big free-agent spenders, but there is one intriguing category they can attack aggressively: prove-it deals.

Yeah I don’t want us to be big spenders, the prove it deals could be interesting…the first guy that comes to mind would be LT Taylor Lewan, but i wouldn’t swing with his playing history or non playing history the last 3 years.

I feel like those type of prove it deals are associated with cut veterans with recent injury history or cut due to regime change/scheme fit. Maybe cap casualty…

It's probably going to be this kind of offseason with regard to free agency:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/10/commanders-sign-drew-himmelman/


I don't want to necessarily be "big" spenders, but I hope we are spenders. You can't fill all the holes in the draft.

I don't know how much cash flow problems are a real problem, but i'd like to see a good ILB (some are available) and 2 OL types with starting experience (and drafting a CB/OT most likely). We'll need another LB as depth, but if we're going to spend, a good ILB sounds like a reasonable place to do it.

The Commanders reported cash flow problems further illustrate that Dan Snyder's inept leadership of the franchise does indeed affect the on-field product. Ron Rivera may have full control of the on field product but what can he do in free agency without the cash to sign starter quality free agents? We need both free agents and good draftees to finish building a contender.

Until we have new ownership with deep pockets and a desire to improve all aspects of the franchise I don't expect to see any meaningful free agent additions. That said, I would be happy to be proven wrong.

Have to put guaranteed money in escrow so it will hamper big signings.

I don't know how much cash flow problems are a real problem, but i'd like to see a good ILB (some are available) and 2 OL types with starting experience (and drafting a CB/OT most likely). We'll need another LB as depth, but if we're going to spend, a good ILB sounds like a reasonable place to do it.

Like the dude’s rug, good LB play would really tie the defense together.

Have to put guaranteed money in escrow so it will hamper big signings.

Makes you wonder whether they are using the tag on Payne to get past the ownership change and will sign him once they get approval from the new owner

Makes you wonder whether they are using the tag on Payne to get past the ownership change and will sign him once they get approval from the new owner

Bingo. The Franchise tag isn't effected by cash flow since it is paid game by game equally, which is why I predicted they'd go the franchise tag route with Payne. Once new owners are aboard the possibility of a long term deals for free agents comes back into play (I predict we do next to nothing next week because of this problem).