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John Keim
The general manager of the Washington commanders, Adam Peters, made it clear that his team will be occupied in free agency this season.
However, the question is how that will be seen.
Washington has the third largest salary space available at the NFL this low season, but also has many players to sign only to complete the list. The commanders have 28 free free agents, which links them with the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Chargers for the least number of players signed this low season.
“We will be active in free agency because we have to be just to present to the team,” Peters said. “But many of which we will seek to bring the boys we had last year.”
He later told reporters that the team would be “busy” but wanted to “pass the right path.”
Among the key free agents, Peters & Co., they want to bring back the 12-5 team last year, are the veteran supporter Bobby Wagner and the closed wing Zach Ertz. Washington spent the last low season signing well, but not the elite, free agency players, such as the supporter Frankie Luvu and the Tyler Biadasz center. It is likely that the commanders also look for the same type of player this time.
Since he assumed the position of GM in early 2024, Peters has remained firm about the importance of building through the draft; Washington has seven selections this spring. But it is also possible that commanders can use a capital project to make an exchange.
If they want to be aggressive and, in some cases, in bold, there are some movements, and some big names, they could consider.
“There will always be commercial opportunities,” said Peters. “Just do what we believe is better for the team.”
Here are the pros and cons of each.
Why could they: Washington needs an impact defensive player, and few, if any, would provide more impulse than the Cleveland Browns, the NFL year defensive player in 2023 and a first All-Pro team in the defensive wing in four of the last five years. As an NFC offensive coach said, I would move the needle for Washington in defense: “They could compete with Philly safely” when acquiring Garrett. And with Campo Mariscal Jayden Daniels in a rookie contract, Washington could take advantage of not only by exchanging Garrett but also extending his contract, which expires after the 2026 season.
Why would they not: The general manager of the Browns, Andrew Berry, reiterated in the combination of exploration that his plan is to keep Garrett. In addition, Garrett’s contract would make Browns change it before the draft. If negotiated before June 1, the Browns would lose $ 16.5 million in the capitalization room. If negotiated after June 1, they would earn $ 4.9 million in space at the limit. That does not mean that no trade occurs, but it could affect the moment.
Perhaps a bigger factor is if Washington will have enough to attract the Browns in a trade. It is not clear what would be needed, but some sources of the league have speculated that it would take at least two first round selections (and that would also depend on where those selections would be in the first round).
“If I were Cleveland, I would like it very much for him,” said a source from the league, who wondered if Washington would have to mortgage too much from the future to get it.
At this time, the best thing that the commanders could offer is the number 29 selection in this draft plus a first round in 2026. Taking into account that Washington played in the NFC championship game last season and has a superior young talent in the quarterback in Daniels, a projected first round selection next year, after acquiring Garrett, it could be in the same place.
Why could they: The commanders can create another $ 16.3 million in capitalization space once they pass from defensive Tackle Jonathan Allen, whom they gave permission to find an exchange this week. That would release the lid space to make a splash signature, if they wish. And few would provide more impact than Higgins, which offers size (6 feet 4, 219 pounds) and production (330 professional receptions and 34 touchdowns in five seasons with the Bengals).
“Now you have two receivers No. 1 at all times,” said ESPN analyst NFL Matt Bowen, who projected Higgins to Washington. “You can play inside as a great slot; it is excellent for running through the deep Romas, and it has a great capture radius in the middle that would be excellent for Jayden Daniels.”
Of the six best Washington receptors last season, only two are signed by 2025: Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey.
An NFL offensive coach said adding Higgins would prevent defenses from “shading coverage in a way.”
“If you are trying to take Terry,” said the source, “there is another option to which … you need two types.
“Spend every dollar you can while Jayden is in a rookie agreement.”
Why would they not: The offensive of the commanders occupied the fifth place in annotations and seventh in yards without a second high -level explosive option beyond McLaurin. They could sign players such as Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown, Noah Brown and Jamison Crowder. They could also maintain some of them and add another veteran like Cooper Kupp or Debo Samuel (more about them later). Or sign a free agent that orders a less expensive contract. Or eraser one.
Joel Corry, a former NFL agent who now analyzes the salary limit and CBS contracts, said he anticipates that Higgins is obtaining “north of $ 30 million per year” if the Bengals do not apply the franchise label. As Corry said, only two teams, the Eagles and the Dolphins, have two receivers that count at least $ 25 million per year at the limit. It would be a similar explanation of why they could not want to change for the Seattle DK Metcalf receiver, who is in the last year of his contract and would also reach a expensive extension.
Samuel wr by Wr
Why could they: Familiarity. Peters was an assistant general manager in San Francisco for five seasons with Samuel. Washington placed a lot of emphasis on the first -hand knowledge of the players who acquired in the free agency the low season. The versatility of Samuel, the ability to play in the field or in the receiver, would be well combined with the Kliff Kingsbury offensive coordinator system.
Why would they not: Cost. Samuel is in the last year of a contract worth $ 17.5 million, although it is not guaranteed. Would Samuel want an extension of any new team and what would that cost? In addition, the possible Draft selection compensation remains uncertain and would be determined according to how many teams are interested. However, the teams also know that they want to be changed and that the 49ers will honor that application, which could reduce the cost to acquire it.
Trade by WR Cooper KUPP
Why could they: Despite the injuries, KUPP is still productive and would be a cozy objective in the middle for Daniels. KUPP averaged 67 trapped for 753 yards and 5.7 touchdowns in the last three years. In addition, his contract would be acceptable if the RAMS exchanged it after the fifth day of the year of the League, thus collecting a bonus of the $ 7.5 million list. Under that scenario, I would occupy $ 12.5 million on the limit for a new team.
Why would they not: KUPP has played in just 33 of his last 51 games due to injuries and has played only a full season in the last five years. It is possible that the Rams end up having to cut it, and any team could chase it without giving up a draft selection. In addition, other slot receptors could be available. Christian Kirk of Jacksonville has been mentioned as a candidate to be cut; He played for Kingsbury in Arizona. To sweeten the pot, three years ago, Kingsbury called Kirk “one of my favorite players I have been with.”
Attack the Defensive Line of the Eagles
Why could they: The end Josh Sweat and Tackle Milton Williams come from strong years and played key roles in the Philadelphia line that helped the team win the Super Bowl. Both would fill a hole. Washington could use an expert in the expert in playing and hurrying the pin: it has a free agent that will soon be in Clelin Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr. Sweat has averaged 8.25 captures in the last four seasons, and its victorious rate in 29% last season was better than any of the defensive ends of Washington. Williams would fill a hole created by the possible trade or launch of Allen. Williams had five captures of his career in 2024 and is only 25 years old.
Why would they not: Cost. Corry said Sweat could reach an agreement with an “north of” $ 20 million annually. Although Williams’s contract will not be so expensive, it could have more suitors that increase that price. The draft is also considered deep in the defensive Tackle, so it could provide another option to find players to match along with the alleged headlines of Daron Payne and Jer’zhan Newton.
