Commanders Free Agency: No. 1 in Cap Space, 3 Targets for New GM Adam Peters
If the Washington Commanders are going to orchestrate a quick turnaround in Adam Peters' first offseason as the general manager, it'll have to begin with free agency.
While it's rarely smart to completely rebuild a team through free agency, it's not unfair to note that a team that went 4-13 last season desperately needs an infusion of talent regardless of how the players are acquired. Fortunately for the Commanders, they're projected to have the most cap space at just over $84 million by Spotrac.
The key to any successful rebuild is drafting good players, but that doesn't mean that's the only approach Peters should take toward relaying the foundation in Washington. He could also opt to sign young players who have already found success in the NFL and may only be scratching the surface of their potential.
Here are three players Peters should target who can become key pieces in the Commanders' rebuild.
Tennessee Titans LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Azeez Al-Shaair's connection to Peters goes back to when he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. Al-Shaair played well but didn't get consistent playing time given the depth San Francisco has at that position.
Al-Shaair, 26, signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans and showed what he's capable of when he's the focal point of a defense. He was a tackling machine in 2023, as he had a career-high 163 tackles and six quarterback hits. Al-Shaair also matched previous career highs with nine tackles for loss and two sacks.
The Commanders allowed the most points per game last season, and the lack of talent at linebacker played a role in those struggles. While Jamin Davis may one day live up to the billing as a former first-round pick, the talent around him needs to be upgraded.
Peters' familiarity with Al-Shaair shouldn't be the only reason Washington pursues him. He's coming off of a career year and can add some much-needed toughness to a Commanders defense that desperately needs it.
Baltimore Ravens S Geno Stone
Geno Stone is very much in the same boat as Al-Shaair. A young player who thrived once they got the opportunity to play and is hitting free agency after having a career year.
A pectoral injury to Baltimore Ravens safety Marcus Williams opened the door for Stone, and he's made the most of his opportunity. Stone, 24, had seven interceptions, which only trailed Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland, who had nine. Stone also had a career-best 68 tackles.
Along with the bevy of needs Washington has, it has uncertainty in the secondary with safety Kam Curl set to become a free agent.
With Baltimore only having around $5 million in cap space and other important players it could prioritize, that may lead to Stone hitting free agency. If Stone is available to be signed, the Commanders should heavily consider keeping the young safety close to where he has began his NFL career and adding someone who can anchor their secondary for years to come.
New England Patriots OL Mike Onwenu
It doesn't matter who is playing quarterback for the Commanders next season, they have to do a better job of keeping them upright. Washington's offensive line allowed 65 sacks last season, which was tied for the second-most in the NFL.
No option in free agency would do a better job of fixing that issue than New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu.
Onwenu was a lone bright spot on an offense that was one of the worst in football. Pro Football Focus graded him out with a 71.5, and he only had four penalties and three sacks allowed last season. Onwenu isn't just a one-hit wonder either, as he had a 79.3 grade in 2022, 87.0 in 2021 and 84.3 in 2020.
Any hopes of Washington improving offensively begins with fixing the offensive line. Signing Onwenu would be a strong first step in the direction of doing that for next season and beyond.
