The Washington Commanders are due for an offseason of massive change. Those changes began two weeks ago when owner Josh Harris fired head coach Ron Rivera. One week later, Harris hired former 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters as the franchise’s new general manager.
Next up for Peters and Harris is hiring a head coach. That process may continue until after the Super Bowl, depending on who the Commanders want to hire.
Peters also has his hands full, remaking Washington’s roster. The Commanders have over 20 free agents this offseason but have the most cap space in the NFL and nine picks in the 2024 NFL draft.
Pro Football Focus recently released its list of the top 150 free agents, and four Commanders were among those players ranked.
No. 15: CB Kendall Fuller
Fuller will be 29 in 2024 and remains Washington’s top cornerback. Will the Commanders sign him to a third contract? Fuller would be worth the investment because he remains a good player, can play multiple positions, and is an excellent leader.
Fuller was the lone bright spot in the Commanders’ cornerback room in 2023, and while he is plenty capable as a wide cornerback, perhaps his prior experience in the slot and at safety could be attractive to teams that desire the ability to move the savvy veteran around as he and his game ages.
No. 21: S Kam Curl
We aren’t even sure who Washington’s defensive coordinator will be in 2024. But with tons of cap space, it would make sense that the Commanders would also want to bring Curl back. He remains a very good player who deserves a raise. He will get it, whether it’s in Washington or elsewhere.
Curl has quietly been one of the more underrated players in the NFL over the past several seasons, with his status as a seventh-rounder and his name getting lost in the shuffle on a defense that, up until this year’s trade deadline, was riddled with first-round talent. Curl can line up anywhere and is as consistent as safeties come on a down-to-down basis, possessing good instincts and a clear understanding of how to manipulate leverage and angles in the open field.
No. 76: WR Curtis Samuel
Curtis Samuel is a very productive receiver who will be looking for his third contract at only 27 years old. Samuel is versatile. He can play outside but excels in the slot or lined up in the backfield. If Washington were closer to contending, it would be worth bringing Samuel back.
Samuel was an efficient target in Eric Bienemy’s Washington offense that spread the ball around more than any team in the NFL, hauling in just shy of 73% of passes thrown his way with just four drops on 85 targets in 2023. Samuel was used as a ball carrier in 2023 like he was in 2022 and previous seasons dating back to his Ohio State days. His Swiss Army knife skill set shows up with good change of direction in space and start-stop ability that is still above average at this stage of his career.
No. 126: QB Jacoby Brissett
Brissett saw limited time in 2023, but he took advantage of every snap. In relief appearances against the Rams and Jets in back-to-back games, Brissett led Washington to touchdowns on five of its six drives with him under center. He was supposed to start in Week 17, but a hamstring injury sidelined him. Brissett may seek a starting opportunity elsewhere as a bridge to a young quarterback. That could be in Washington, but Sam Howell will be cheaper.
