With the NFL Draft coming up in April, I wanted to take a look at the NFC East and evaluate how each of the four teams; New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys, should approach their off season before the NFL Draft.
Last month, I took a look at the Giants and what they should do. I want to do a similar article about the Commanders now that we are in the midst of free agency. I want to look at their moves so far and what I think they should do from now till the NFL Draft at the end of April.
Free Agency Signings
Some of the players the Washington Commanders re-signed so far include J.D. McKissic, Bobby McCain, and Cam Sims. Bostic has been a foundational linebacker in his three years with the team. Having played in all 16 games in both 2019 and 2020 and only playing in four games in 2021 due to injury, Bostic has been consistent in defending against short yardage plays totaling 245 tackles in 36 games.
McKissic was a good pass-catching running back the past two seasons. His 75.5% catch rate for nearly 1,000 receiving yards helped the team gain short yardage plays weekly. As much as I want Antonio Gibson to be the bellcow and take 75+% of the workload, McKissic adds much needed value to the team in his check down work. According to ProFootballReference, McKissic is transitioning to WR instead of RB or will play a hybrid role like Cordarrelle Patterson.
McCain’s great depth to the secondary on defense. Having played both cornerback and safety in his career, he could very well switch back back to safety or float between the two positions. Having a guy like that is important for locking down on defense as this team does well.
Cam Sims adds depth to a shallow receiving core. Over the past two years, Sims has played in 30 games for Washington and has totaled 47 receptions on 71 targets for just shy of 700 yards. Sims is not going to have a breakout year or be fantasy relevant. Instead, Sims is a good relief player to come in for the WR2 or WR3 for a drive or two and let them rest. This is the kind of resigning that is better for the Commanders than it is for fantasy.
On top of the few players they re-signed, the Washington Commanders also made a few signing for depth on the offensive line. Having lost a few notable players in free agency, this depth was important for their new QB.
Quarterback
The Washington Commanders made it loud and clear that they want to trade for someone. After missing out on the first round of the QB Carousel, the Commanders took a swing at an old rival. The Commanders traded their 2022 2nd round draft pick, 2022 3rd round pick, and their 2023 3rd round pick that could become their 2023 2nd round pick. In exchange for these three Day 2 of the NFL Draft picks, they received Carson Wentz and the Colts’ 2022 2nd round pick.
Wentz spent last year in Indianapolis after spending the previous five years in Philadelphia. While Wentz is not an elite QB by any means, he has been productive. He tends to hyper-target a specific receiver and loves to throw it to them if the play starts to break down. Stocks up for one Terry McLaurin.
Wide Receiver
Besides Terry McLaurin, the Washington Commanders WR room is shallow. McLaurin was one of three WRs to play in all 17 games this season for Washington. The other two being DeAndre Carter and Adam Humphries, who combined for less than 700 receiving yards. Washington is in need of a WR2 more than any other team.
The current depth chart for the Commanders’ has Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuels, Dyami Brown, Cam Sims, and Antonio Gandy-Golden. With McKissic possibly switching to a WR/RB hybrid, this depth chart looks better. The problem is that McKissic and Samuels both play similar roles as a check-down receiver or wildcat RB. Sims and Gandy-Golden have a hard time getting on the field and when they do, they get barely any targets for very few yards. Dyami was drafted on the second day of last year’s NFL Draft and was used mainly as a deep threat only. The only real versatile weapon is Scary Terry McLaurin. They need a second WR who can draw attention away from McLaurin.
NFL Draft
The Washington Commanders have the 11th overall pick along with the 47th overall. With either of these two picks, they could look to draft a young wide receiver. According to Sportrac.com, the Commanders have next to no money in available cap space for the rest of free agency.
If the Commanders try to address the WR2 need, look for them to do so in the draft. This draft is deep at WR. Prospects like Christian Watson, Wan’Dale Robinson, Skyy Moore, and George Pickens are all guys who could go Day 2 to the Commanders.
Overall, the Washington Commanders seem to be a few pieces short of being a real contender. This team teeters on the edge of greatness. If they can make the correct corresponding moves in the draft, I believe that they could propel themselves into the conversation for the NFC East’s division winner.
Hunter Greene
Hunter started writing for The League Winners in the summer of 2021. Hunter has been playing fantasy football for about a decade, starting in middle school. Now he’s a professional landscaper and avid Colts and Purdue fan.