Last year’s free agency haul was, well, to put it bluntly, MEH! 2026 on the other hand is setting up to be one of the best free agent classes I have seen in quite some time.
Washington needs reinforcements all over the roster and has the money to be big players in free agency.
It’s time for Adam Peters to go big or go home!
Peters and Quinn need to do their best to surround superstar Jayden Daniels with more dynamic players on offense. Peters did a magnificent job securing much-needed protection for the young passer last offseason. Now he needs to get him more weapons, so he doesn’t have to shoulder the entire load on offense.
We don’t yet know what new offensive coordinator David Blough’s offense will look like, but John Keim (and others) have mentioned multiple times they expect his scheme to resemble the one Ben Johnson ran in Detroit. This should be more plays under center, much more pre-snap motion, plenty of horizontal routes designed to take advantage of the intermediate area (including extensive tight end usage in the middle of the field), and deep shots created off of play action.
There will also be a heavy focus on a more efficient and extensive outside-zone running game that will be designed to keep defenses honest and eventually open things up for more one-on-one matchups in the passing game.
With that said, Daniels needs to be surrounded with better weapons, and here are some I feel could fit into what we’d like to do offensively.
* **Kenneth Walker (25):** Walker will NOT come cheap, but the former second round pick possesses rare speed (4.38 40) and contact balance in a compact frame (5’9” 211). He’s a good receiver out of the backfield collecting 133 receptions for 1005 yards over 58 career games played. He’s averaged 4.3 yards per carry over his first four years in the league and he has just three career fumbles, losing none. The newly crowned Super Bowl MVP would look great in burgundy and gold and would pair nicely with second-year back Bill Croskey-Merritt.
* **Travis Etienne (27):** Etienne should have a very robust market as the former first round draft pick possess a rare skillset made for today’s NFL. At 5’10” 215, he can excel in an outside zone rushing scheme and is an excellent receiver out of the backfield who is a mismatch for linebackers and safeties. He had some fumbling issues early in his career but he’s since cleaned those up. He’s been relatively health since missing his rookie year with a lisfranc injury.
* **Alec Pierce (25):** Pierce, who won’t turn 26 until May, is the biggest name wideout to hit free agency this year, and it’s based more on the potential the 6’3” 211 pounder could have as a number one threat on the outside. His 4.33 speed combined with a career 18.6 average yards per reception offers teams an elite deep threat who is in his prime. He’ll command a large salary, but he’s viewed as a building block to pair with a talented young quarterback.
* **Wan’Dale Robinson (25):** Robinson doesn’t possess wide-receiver-one traits, but when he was given the opportunity to be the go-to guy with the Giants in 2025, he didn’t disappoint, putting up career highs in receiving yards (1014), touchdowns (4) and yards per catch (11.0). He was just one reception from tying his career best after posting 92 catches from rookie quarterback Jaxon Dart. He boasts excellent speed (4.38 40) and elite change-of-direction skills that allow him to consistently create separation.
* **Romeo Doubs (25):** At 6’2” 205 pounds, Doubs would bring a hard-nosed, workman-like mentality to this new offense. He’s not a blazer like Pierce or Robinson, but he’s extremely reliable over the middle and is not afraid to make tough catches in traffic. He’s also a very solid blocker in the run game - something I feel Blough will value.
* **Chig Okowkwo (26):** Okowkwo is a young, athletic, ascending MOVE tight end coming off his rookie deal who plays more like a jumbo wide receiver than a traditional tight end. He put up good numbers as a Titan despite putrid quarterback play, and his best days could be ahead in an offense who likes to move their tight end around to exploit coverage mismatches. His 4.5 speed and excellent understanding of man and zone coverages will allow him to become a young quarterback’s best friend. Don’t be fooled by his lack of protypical size - Chig is a very good blocker.
* **Isaiah Likely (25):** Likely will be a sought after name this offseason as teams look to find that new MOVE tight end who can create mismatches all over the field. He’s not going to wow you with blazing open-field speed, but he understands coverage, leverage going in and out of breaks and can be excellent after the catch. He reminds me of former Washington tight end Jordan Reed.
With roughly 72-75 million to spend in effective cap space, and the ability to create more with extensions for both Tunsil and Payne, Adam Peters needs to be aggressive this offseason to find weapons for Jayden Daniels.
Getting one player from each of the above groups would go a long way to drastically improving the Commanders new offensive attack under David Blough, and give fans renewed hope that Peters is indeed embarking on a rebuild focused on young, ascending talent to support his dynamic rookie passer.
See More:
* [Washington Commanders Analysis](/washington-commanders-analysis)