NFC East 2023 free agency grades: Washington Commanders edition

The 2022 Washington Commanders began out 1-4, after which received six of their subsequent seven video games (together with an upset highway win in Philly), and have been in a powerful place to make the playoffs at 7-5. Nonetheless, they went 0-3-1 over their subsequent 4 video games, together with a nasty Week 17 residence loss to the craptastic Browns that sealed their destiny.

Within the grand scope of the franchise, the participant personnel strikes the Commanders make this offseason do not actually matter, no less than relative to the anticipated sale of the workforce. However alas, we’ll undergo the motions.

Gamers gained

• QB Jacoby Brissett: Brissett is a top quality backup who can be competing for a staring job in Washington in opposition to second-year quarterback Sam Howell, assuming the Commanders are unable so as to add some other extra compelling quarterbacks within the draft. Brissett is well-liked off the sector, and a strong veteran participant on it, however he provides the Commanders one thing near a zero p.c probability of profitable a Tremendous Bowl if he finally ends up being their most suitable choice in 2023.

Since Daniel Snyder purchased the workforce in 1999, 27 completely different quarterbacks have began video games for Washington. They’re Brad Johnson, Jeff George, Tony Banks, Shane Matthews, Patrick Ramsey, Danny Wuerffel, Tim Hasselbeck, Mark Brunell, Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman, John Beck, Robert Griffin III, Colt McCoy, Kirk ‘Kurt’ Cousins, Alex Smith, Mark Sanchez, Josh Johnson, Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Garrett Gilbert, Carson Wentz, Sam Howell, and coming quickly… Brissett.

I will take a number of guesses on who the Commanders’ uncompelling beginning quarterback can be in 2024 after they go 7-10 in 2023:

1. Ryan Tannehill
2. Sam Darnold
3. Baker Mayfield
4. Jameis Winston

• OT Andrew Wylie: Wylie was the weak hyperlink on the Chiefs’ offensive line in 2022, as PFF had him down for 9 sacks allowed on the season. He signed a three-year deal price $24 million, and can presumably begin at RT, with Sam Cosmi shifting inside to RG.

• iOL Nick Gates: Gates suffered a grotesque leg damage and confronted the prospect of retirement, however he was capable of return and begin eight video games for the Giants in 2022, and even obtained some votes for NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr. Gates has some guard/middle versatility, however he has had seven leg surgical procedures. He signed a three-year, $16.5 million take care of Washington. In the end, I believe the next is the proper #evaluation: 

• LB Cody Barton: Barton signed a one-year deal price $3.5 million. He’s a former third-round decide who had 136 tackles, 2 sacks, and a pair of INTs for Seattle in 2022, his first as a full-time starter. He’ll seemingly exchange the outgoing Cole Holcomb.

• CB Cameron Dantzler: Dantzler was the CB2 final season with the Vikings, who had one of many worst go defenses within the NFL final season. Quarterbacks had a 111.1 passer ranking when concentrating on Dantzler final season, per ProFootballReference.

• OT Trenton Scott: Scott signed with the Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2018. He has bounced round somewhat with the Panthers and Steelers, and is now with the Commanders. 20 profession begins.

• iDL Abdullah Anderson: Anderson is now on his eighth workforce after coming into the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2018. He obtained an opportunity to play extensively in 2022 with the Falcons in 2022, making 40 tackles with 1 sack in 16 video games (8 begins).

Gamers retained

• DT Daron Payne: The Commanders initially positioned the franchise tag on Payne, however later signed him to a four-year deal price $90 million. Payne had 64 tackles (18 for loss), 11.5 sacks, 5 batted passes, 20 QB hits, and a security (in opposition to the Eagles, really) in a season that he made the Professional Bowl. Payne and Jonathan Allen type the most effective inside defensive position tandems within the NFL (perhaps the perfect?), so it is easy to see why the Commanders would need to maintain that in place.

• S Jeremy Reaves: Reaves went to the Professional Bowl as a particular groups standout in 2022, and he was the topic of a uncommon heartwarming second out of Washington:

• CB Danny Johnson: Johnson is a lesser-known nook who produced in 2022, making 29 tackles and a formidable 9 go breakups in restricted motion. Two years, $5 million, reportedly.

• DE Efe Obada: Obada is a considerably intriguing rotational go rusher with nice measurement (6’6, 265) who had 4 sacks final season.

• LB David Mayo: Profession backup linebacker who had 35 tackles in 2022.

• LB Khaleke Hudson: Backup linebacker and core particular teamer in 2022.

• CB Rachad Wildgoose: Backup CB who began three video games in 2022.

• C Tyler Larsen: Backup-level middle.

• RB Jonathan Williams: Fringe roster man who has been on seven NFL groups in eight seasons, together with three stints with Washington. 37 carries for 152 yards and 0 TDs for the Commanders final season.

• LB Milo Eifler: I will be trustworthy. I’ve by no means heard of this man.

• LB Nate Gerry: Congrats to Nate Gerry for one way or the other nonetheless being within the NFL.

Gamers misplaced

• QB Carson Wentz: The Carson Wentz period in Washington went just about precisely as anticipated.

• QB Taylor Heinicke: Heinicke was small-ish, he had a weak arm, and whereas he might escape strain at instances he wasn’t an enormous risk to make performs along with his legs. And but, when he began for the Commanders over the past two seasons he had a profitable document (12-11-1), whereas different quarterbacks had a mixed document of 7-10 throughout that span. He signed a two-year deal price $14 million with the Falcons.

• LB Cole Holcomb: Holcomb has in all probability been the Commanders’ finest linebacker over the past 4 seasons, as he has racked up 388 tackles since being chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2019 draft. He signed with the Steelers on a three-year deal. 

• S Bobby McCain: McCain is an 8-year vet. Stable however unspectacular. 76 tackles, 5 go breakups, 1 compelled fumble, 0 INTs in 2021. 87 profession begins. He signed with the Giants.

• OL Wes Schweitzer: Schweitzer began 24 video games in three seasons with the Commanders. He has some guard/middle versatility, however was a beneath common starter.

• WR Cam Sims: Sims was a 6’5 receiver who was one of many longest tenured gamers on the workforce, regardless of meager manufacturing. He signed with the Raiders.

The story of the tape

Evaluation/Grade

The Commanders rearranged some deck chairs on the Titanic this offseason at quarterback, linebacker, the secondary, and the offensive line, however the consequence will seemingly be the identical because it has been over the past three years within the Ron Rivera period. They will haven’t any hope of doing something particular, and but they will nonetheless be adequate to win 7 or 8 video games, making it tough for them to discover a long-term reply at quarterback the next offseason.

Sure, the pending sale of the workforce provides a stage of issue in executing a wise offseason plan, however the Commanders’ strikes the primary couple weeks of free company really feel acquainted and uninspired.

Grade: C-

Different NFC East free company grades

• Cowboys: A-

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