Commanders could land key offseason addition for Daronte Jones if they play waiting game on potential free agent
The Commanders could reunite Daronte Jones with a key defender, but only if they play their cards right during NFL free agency.
The Washington Commanders have many needs to address this offseason, but the defense is the biggest focal point after a historically bad season.
Head coach Dan Quinn also brought in new reinforcements to the coaching staff with Daronte Jones taking over as the new defensive coordinator. Jones will install his own new defense, which will be much different than what we saw from Quinn.
The Commanders now need to add talent to the roster who can actually play in the new scheme, and there’s one perfect option not yet available, who could be soon.
Commanders could be a landing spot for DT Javon Hargrave when he’s released
Teams around the league will have to make difficult decisions on key players this offseason, which means valuable players could hit the market as a salary cap casualty cut. One player I’m keeping an eye on is veteran DT Javon Hargrave, who will likely be released before free agency begins next week.
The Minnesota Vikings have been shopping Hargrave recently, but no teams are expected to bite on an offer, given the deep defensive tackle class in the NFL Draft this offseason. The result will be a release over the next week, as the Vikings make salary-cap room before free agency. The Vikings would save $10.9 million if they release Hargrave, and the Commanders could be a landing spot for him with Jones as the new defensive coordinator.
Should the Commanders target Javon Hargrave when he hits free agency?
The Commanders’ defense needs an overhaul this offseason, and they’re limited to only six picks in the NFL Draft. I’d love for them to take a defensive tackle in the draft, but they have more needs elsewhere, which means they could land a cheaper target to rotate in, which could be Hargrave’s role.
Hargrave just turned 33 years old, but the Commanders need pass rush help from the interior of the line, and there’s not much to work with behind Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and Johnny Newton. He could also be a great mentor for Newton, while adding a pass rush that has been missing. The Commanders had only 10 sacks and 87 pressures combined for Payne, Kinlaw, and Newton, and no depth behind them.
Hargrave had 31 pressures and four sacks on 295 pass-rushing snaps, and could be an affordable option this offseason to help the Commanders rotate their defensive line next season.