Reporter says Commanders will be aggressive in landing coveted position in free agency, and they’ll have quality options
The Commanders are ready to spend and land a starter at a polarizing position in free agency that has been an issue for way too long.
The Washington Commanders have been aggressive this offseason with their drastic changes to the coaching staff, and now they need to do the same to the roster.
General manager Adam Peters is poised for a big free agency period after being very conservative last year, and they need to swing big. The Commanders have a top-5 salary cap space, and saved even more after releasing CB Marshon Lattimore. That was just the first major domino to fall, and now the Commanders need to replace Lattimore.
One reporter says the Commanders will be aggressive in landing a starting CB in free agency, and they have plenty of options.
The Commanders will be aggressive in landing a top CB in free agency
The Commanders have a lot of needs to address this offseason, and the defense should be their biggest focus. Daronte Jones is taking over as the new defensive coordinator, and his new scheme will be unlike what we’ve seen in the past. Now, Jones needs defensive talent who can perform in his scheme at a high level.
ESPN’s John Keim says the Commanders feel good about Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil, but they will be very aggressive in finding a top cornerback in free agency.
Head coach Dan Quinn has already said that they want a playmaker at corner who can lock down the best receiver in the biggest moments. They have a chance to land that and find a legit starter in free agency with so much youth and unknown on the roster.
Top CB options the Commanders can pursue in free agency
Jamel Dean
Jamel Dean is the top CB prospect according to PFF, and he’s projected to earn a two-year, $27 million contract in free agency. Dean will be 30 years old next season, but he’s been a steady and reliable top CB over the last seven years. He’s coming off his career-best season with the Buccaneers, where he only allowed a passer rating of 46.9, which was the best in the NFL.
Dean is an outside corner at 6-1, 206 pounds, and he’d bring a veteran presence that the defense can rely on. His age should absolutely not rule him out because Dean is playing at an extremely high level, yet isn’t being talked about enough, and would be an affordable signing for Washington.
Cor’Dale Flott
New York Giants CB Cor’Dale Flott makes a lot of sense with his connection to Jones, who was his defensive coordinator in his final season at LSU before being drafted in the third round. Flott is only 24 years old, and he’s coming off a career-best season as well with his biggest workload yet at 800 snaps. He had a targeted EPA of -12.7 in 2025, which was eighth in the NFL, just behind Derek Stingley Jr. and A.J. Terrell.
The Commanders could stay young while adding a proven, productive corner who is only getting better every season. Flott is projected to make anywhere from $10 to $12 million per year in free agency, and it could be even more.
Jaylen Watson
Jaylen Watson might be my top option in free agency at 27 years old, and he’s getting better every single year. 2025 was his first season as a full-time starter, and it was the best season of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Watson is a lockdown coverage corner and also one of the best run-defending and blitzing corners in the league. He would be a perfect fit for Jones’s defense moving forward.
Watson is projected to get a three-year, $45 million contract in free agency, and this would be a splash signing for the Commanders.
Tariq Woolen
Tariq Woolen will have one of the most intriguing free agency markets this offseason, and the Commanders will likely be a team that checks in on him. Woolen is always around the ball, but he’s also very inconsistent and can struggle with penalties, which really hurts his market. He’s about to turn 27, but he’s also been on his way out of Seattle for over a year now.
Woolen is a physically imposing corner at 6-4, 205 pounds, and he uses his size to force interceptions and key pass breakups. He will likely go to the highest bidder this offseason, which will make some teams back off. PFF has him projected to make $15 million per year, but his market is the most unpredictable this offseason.
Honorable Mentions:
- Nashon Wright
- Alontae Taylor
- Josh Jobe
- Montaric Brown
- Eric Stokes
Washington Commanders News
Commanders’ risk of losing top pending free agent skyrockets after latest NFL report gauges his market
The Commanders are expected to lose their top pending free agent, with his market appearing to be much stronger heading into NFL free agency.
