The first week of free agency has pretty much come and gone. Sure enough, there is plenty to write home about after a wild six-day stretch that featured plenty of big moves, questionable moves, and trades.

The Washington Commanders were right in the thick of things. So far, Adam Peters and Dan Quinn have made 15 new additions to the roster. Several of those players are expected to start and help usher in the new era of Washington football, as well.

Now that the dust has settled, let's take a look at the current state of the roster and where things are likely to go, from here.

Note: Asterisks (*) represent a 2024 free agent addition and does not include a re-signed player. Offense's base personnel is projected as 11-personnel (3 WRs, 1 TE) and defense's base personnel is projected as 4-3 base defense (four down lineman, three linebackers).

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Quarterback (2)

Presumed starter(s): Marcus Mariota*
Backup(s): Jake Fromm

How we got here: Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett, last year's starters, are no longer with the team after the first week of free agency. Howell was traded to the Seattle Seahawks and Brissett re-joined the New England Patriots. Mariota is the starter, for now, but the Howell trade seals the deal on a quarterback at No. 2. This will certainly change once the draft is over.

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Running back (3)

Presumed starter(s): Austin Ekeler*
Backup(s): Brian Robinson, Chris Rodriguez Jr.

How we got here: Antonio Gibson, a 2020 draft pick, exits stage left, while Ekeler comes in to join Robinson and Rodriguez in the RB room. Ekeler has three-down back ability, but he's getting long in the tooth. It wouldn't be surprising if there's a split share between the veteran and Brian Robinson, with Rodriguez sprinkling in only when needed.

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Wide receiver (9)

Presumed starter(s): Terry McLaurin (X), Jahan Dotson (slot/Z), Dyami Brown (slot)
Backup(s): Kazmeir Allen, Jamison Crowder, Davion Davis, Dax Milne, Brycen Tremayne, Mitchell Tinsley

How we got here: The Commanders have their top-2 targets in McLaurin and Dotson, but things are pretty shaky from there, on. Crowder is a reliable vet, but is definitely on the back end of his career. It won't be surprising if the Commanders spend one of the six picks in the top-100 selections on a wideout. 

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Tight end (4)

Presumed starter(s): Zach Ertz*
Backup(s): John Bates, Armani Rogers, Cole Turner

How we got here: Another room in need of depth. Ertz can be serviceable, but the Commanders need to draft a guy and maybe even sign another vet. Honestly, Marcedes Lewis or C.J. Uzomah are guys that make sense, more so for depth, than anything.

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Offensive line (11)

Presumed starter(s): Andrew Wylie (RT), Sam Cosmi (RG), Tyler Biadasz* (C), Nick Allegretti* (LG), Braeden Daniels (LT)
Backup(s): Alex Akingbulu, Mason Brooks, Julian Good-Jones, Chris Paul, Trent Scott, Ricky Stromberg

How we got here: Based off the contracts that were given to Biadasz and Allegretti, the Commanders believe they have shored up the interior offensive line. But questions still remain at tackle. Wylie is average, at best, and Daniels is a second-year guy who has yet to play a regular season snap. After passing on Tyron Smith in free agency, it's pretty clear Washington is targeting a tackle with one of those five Day 2 picks in the draft.

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Defensive line (13)

Presumed starter(s): Clelin Ferrell* (DE), Jonathan Allen (DT), Daron Payne (DT), Dorance Armstrong* (DE)
Backup(s): Dante Fowler Jr.*, Jalen Harris, K.J. Henry, Andre Jones Jr., Phidarian Mathis, Efe Obada, Benning Potoa'e, Joshua Pryor, John Ridgeway III

How we got here: Like the offensive line, Washington made a couple solid moves in free agency that should help the pass rush, but outside of Payne and Allen, the defense is still a dominant sack artist away from being a very effective unit. It wouldn't be a bad idea to add a true big in the middle, either. It should be a solid unit, though, as long as Allen and Payne stay healthy.

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Linebacker (6)

Presumed starter(s): Jamin Davis (WILL), Bobby Wagner* (MLB), Frankie Luvu* (SAM)
Backup(s): Brandon Bouye-Randle, Keandre Jones, Anthony Pittman*

How we got here: Is it a surprise the two position groups undergoing the most change are on defense? If Davis can find his footing in Year 4, Washington's linebacker room has the potential to be one of the NFL's best units, thanks to the additions of Wagner and Luvu. 

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Cornerback (8)

Presumed starter(s): Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (CB), Benjamin St-Juste (CB), Kyu Blu Kelly (NB)
Backup(s): Tariq Castro-Fields, Christian Holmes, D'Angelo Mandell, Nick Whiteside II, Noah Igbinoghene

How we got here: It's a lock that Washington takes a corner -whether it be an outside guy or a nickel- on Day 2 of the draft. Preferably, it'd be in the second round, where there will still be plenty of good talent available.

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Safety (5)

Presumed starter(s): Quan Martin (FS), Jeremy Chinn* (SS)
Backup(s): Darrick Forrest, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves

How we got here: Will Martin mix in at nickel and free safety? Will Chinn play more of the linebacker/safety hybrid role? Both safety spots aren't distinguished, so to speak, but there is plenty of versatility to work with, which should allow Joe Whitt Jr. to carve out some solid roles. The team re-signed Reaves, a special teams ace, which was a smart move.

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Specialists (4)

Presumed starter(s): Brandon McManus* (K), Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott* (LS)
Backup(s): Tucker Addington (LS)
Returners: Jamison Crowder (PR), Brian Robinson (KR)

How we got here: Way, the franchise's longtime punter, is the only holdover from the back half of the 2021 season. McManus replaces Joey Slye and Ott replaces Cameron Cheeseman. McManus is one of the league's more accurate kickers and he has a big leg, while Ott is familiar with new special teams coordinator Larry Izzo.

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Where do things go from here?

Rostered players: 65
Spots available: 26

Quarterback would be the biggest question if the Commanders didn't have the second overall pick and it's obvious they're drafting a QB, so we can cross that off the list.

Next up would cornerback/nickel, tackle, EDGE, safety, and receiver as top priorities. Then tight end, iOL, and linebacker – with the order of the last two having the ability to be mixed up based off personal preference.

And with nine draft picks, including six in the first 100, Washington will have plenty of opportunities to solidify the roster, even more.

Grading the Washington Commanders’ first free agency moves after trading Sam Howell to the Seahawks

Editor's Note: This was originally published before the Washington Commanders signed Bobby Wagner and traded Sam Howell. Those moves, along with the others, are now included. The 2024 season is officially underway and as expected, the Commanders have been busy over the past week, to no one's surprise. The franchise has new leadership in all areas […]