This is The Gridiron Review’s Washington Commanders 2023 Offseason Team Breakdown. We provide you with all things you need to know about the Commanders heading into FA and the draft. We also provide our thoughts on the needs of the team and how we think they can be addressed!
Washington Commanders 2022 Record: 8-8-1
Washington Commanders Salary Cap(According to Spotrac): $6,970,714
Notable Free Agents(According to Spotrac):
- Taylor Heinicke, QB
- Trai Turner, OG
- Da’Ron Payne, DL
- Cole Holcomb, LB
- Jeremy Reaves, S/ST
Team Needs: WR(Depth), TE, OL(Primarily Depth), DE(Depth) LB, CB
3 Free Agent Targets(In No Order):
- Mike Gesicki, TE
- Dalton Schultz, TE
- Krys Barnes, LB
Washington Commanders First Round Pick(s): Pick 16
3 Draft Prospect Fits/Targets:
- Peter Skoronski, OT/G, Northwestern
- Andrew Vorhees, OG, USC
- Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Our Commanders Ideal Offseason Plans/Thoughts:
- The Commanders roster is in a really good place. Their starters are 100% capable of making the playoffs and they almost did this year despite all the injuries. Even though the Commanders and the NFC East will have some of the more difficult schedules next season, they benefit from playing in a NFC that isn’t what it used to be. That being said their division should be very competitive once again.
- The Commanders starting WRs are strong, and new OC Eric Bieniemy is going to love the versatility of Curtis Samuel. Dyami Brown isn’t a bad WR4, but they could use more and better depth in the room especially with the injury riddled past of Samuel.
- They are lacking a legitimate TE threat and “best friend” for their QBs. Logan Thomas has flashed a little bit when healthy, but hasn’t been healthy enough to have a significant impact and he is already old for a football player. They have drafted mid-round TEs each of the last two years in John Bates(‘21- 4th rounder) and Cole Turner(‘22- 5th rounder). Bates has also shown some promise, but it’s time to pull the trigger on a big gun TE and there’s no better year to do it than this year. If the Commanders are looking to stay balanced/a little more run heavy they could go after Dalton Schultz, and who doesn’t love stealing from their rival! If Bieniemy comes in and wants to open the offense up a little more with now 2nd year QB Sam Howell, don’t count out Mike Gesicki. He’s not the greatest blocker, but he’s athletic with tons of receiving upside and the last TE that worked with Bieniemy with those traits… Travis Kelce. No, Gesicki and Kelce are not on the same level, but Gesicki could break out under Bieniemy.
- The starting offensive line is strong, but starting RG Trai Turner is a FA. Turner is one of Rivera’s guys from Carolina though, so he is likely a priority to re-sign. If they are looking to go a different direction though, don’t be surprised if they wait for draft night. Skoronski out of Northwestern is a prospect that they could take to kick inside. The other option would be USC’s Andrew Vorhees. He’s a proven guard and was arguably USCs best lineman this season. Overall though, the Commanders should look to improve the depth.
- Chase Young only played in 3 games last season despite weeks worth of talk of him being activated. Young should be 100% by the time next season rolls around, but addressing the depth of the DE position should be toward the top of the priority list.
- Looking back, Cole Holcomb was a gem when the Commanders selected him in the 5th round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Holcomb may ask for decent money, but he could be worth it as he’s proven in Del Rio’s system. If they can’t come to an agreement with Holcomb, they could look at someone like Krys Barnes. Despite playing well for the Pack, they drafted Georgia’s Quay Walker in the first round of last year’s draft and he never got his starting spot back. Only 24 years old, Barnes isn’t going to settle for being the 3rd option. After a year as a backup, Barnes shouldn’t be able to request crazy money and could take over as a starter in the Commanders LB core.
- The Commanders CB room isn’t bad, but it’s also not where it could be. In a division with AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Ceedee Lamb, and Isaiah Hodgins the Commanders could look to add to and improve the room. If they decide they want to go CB in the draft Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon should be the name to watch.
- UPDATE: Carson Wentz and Bobby McCain released
- UPDATE: Da’Ron Payne franchise tagged
- UPDATE: Nate Gerry and David Mayo both sign extensions… You still need to address the linebacker room!