Tim Settle will play up and down the defensive line and most likely be the primary nose tackle, but the team’s current roster doesn’t have a good option behind the newly signed defensive tackle. Khalen Saunders is a big-bodied lineman that is a run-stopping force in the middle. He also has remarkable athleticism for his size (RAS 7.57) and is versatile enough to play the zero to three techniques along the defensive line. After playing 22 games for the Chiefs and winning two Super Bowls from 2019-to-2021, he’s had difficulty sticking with a new team. However, he is still stout against the run. Saunders also brings some ability in the pass rush department with a career 7.5 sacks, six pass deflections, and one interception.
While Eddie Goldman is still available, Saunders is a younger, and more athletic option. Spotrac has Khalen’s next contract projected as an affordable one-year, $1.5M deal. He presents a cheap and valuable depth option for the Commanders as a big nose tackle to draw double teams and cover the A and B gaps while providing occasional help in pass rush.
Cam Taylor-Britt, 26, Cornerback
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5’11”, 200 lbs
Given the current need at the cornerback position, putting at least one on the list was a requirement, but there is certainly room to profile another. The position was hit hard in free agency as the week progressed including high-end depth/possible starters like Cobie Durant and Roger McCreary. One name still available is Cam Taylor-Britt. A second-round selection of the Bengals in the 2022 draft, Taylor-Britt initially played a rotational role in Cincinnati and flashed potential as a starter during the 2023 season.
The 2024 season brought a serious regression, and he was benched twice during the year. Cam’s up-and-down performance turned 2025 into a prove-it year, and after an inconsistent start, he suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 11. He also ran into trouble off the field, and was sentenced on charges of reckless driving in January. Comments like calling the 2024 Commanders a “nice college offense” certainly didn’t endear him to the coaching staff. Not surprisingly, Taylor-Britt is being met with a cold market in free agency, and his current Spotrac projection of a 3-year, $27M contract seems like a mirage. So far he has only been connected to the Green Bay Packers as a possible suitor.
Cam is still a plus athlete (8.31 RAS) with a 4.38 40-yard dash to his name. In addition, he is an aggressive, physical corner that has a knack for turnovers with 7 interceptions and 38 passes defended over 47 regular-season games.
The problem is Taylor-Britt’s aggressive nature has been exposed by quarterbacks, as he is frequently beaten by double moves and gambles in coverage. While the splash plays are nice, coaches have found his play far too inconsistent to keep him on the field. So why should he interest the Commanders?
My biggest reason for optimism regarding Taylor-Britt is the belief he has been somewhat miscast as a man-cover defensive back, and he might actually excel in a scheme that uses more zone. While Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden’s man-to-man scheme was supposed to cater to Cam’s strengths, it actually seemed to have the opposite effect. When Awuzie went out during the 2023 season, the Bengals played more zone coverage and Cam’s corresponding coverage grade of 70.6 was far better than the 41.3 he had in man situations. Much like Mike Sainristil, Taylor-Britt is at his best when he can read plays, jump routes, and use his speed to drive on the ball. If Daronte Jones’ plan is to put his corners in these types of situations, Cam could be a scheme fit. He has some experience playing safety so he brings some of the desired versatility as well.
Overall, Cam Taylor-Britt could be a nice low-risk, high-reward addition in the second wave of free agency provided he is wiling to accept a one-year deal.
Ryan Bates, 29, Center
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 26: Ryan Bates #71 of the Chicago Bears blocks against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 26: Ryan Bates #71 of the Chicago Bears blocks against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Getty Images
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6’4”, 306 lbs
Regardless of whether you think Nick Allegretti is a viable starter or not, the Commanders still could use a veteran backup at the position. Unfortunately, the center market was also hit hard during the first week of free agency. Scheme-friendly backups like Luke Fortner and Matt Hennessy signed with teams before the weekend, and the released Evan Brown found a home in a matter of days. While part of the plan is clearly to draft a center, adding a low-cost veteran for competition certainly couldn’t hurt. Enter Ryan Bates.
Bates was an undrafted free agent out of Penn State who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. The Eagles traded him to Buffalo before the start of the season. Known for his versatility along the offensive line, Bates found a home as a backup and occasional starter, including at the pivot. He played 135 snaps at center in 2022 and 35 in 2023. Bears GM Ryan Poles traded a fifth-round selection for Bates in 2024 with the idea of trying him out at center full-time. Unfortunately, shoulder and concussion injuries derailed Ryan’s time there, and he only played on special teams last season.
While he might not seem like an appealing option for Adam Peters, there are a couple of things working in Bates’ favor. First, he is a highly versatile player and can play all five positions on the offensive line. The other is that Ryan is incredibly athletic, and had the second-highest RAS for a guard in the 2019 draft which makes him a fit in a zone-blocking scheme.
The attached film is fairly lengthy, but if you are interested, it provides a good look at how Ryan fits as a potential starter. Spotrac currently has Bates projected to sign a one-year, $1.2M deal. For that price, Peters may well take a look, not only to upgrade the center position but also the entire depth of the offensive line.
Matt McCrane, 31, Kicker
Mar 31, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; DC Defenders kicker Matt McCrane (16) kicks a field goal from the hold of punter Paxton Brooks (47) in the first half against the San Antonio Brahmas at The Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Mar 31, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; DC Defenders kicker Matt McCrane (16) kicks a field goal from the hold of punter Paxton Brooks (47) in the first half against the San Antonio Brahmas at The Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5’10”,165lbs
Our next player was included in last year’s article and should be very familiar to DC Defenders fans. Matt McCrane continued his solid kicking for the UFL Champions in 2025, going 2-3 from 50-plus yards and hitting all five of his attempts in the postseason. The former Kansas State Wildcat continues to build on his college performance, where he left as the career leader in field goals (57), field-goal percentage (86.4 percent), PAT percentage (99.3 percent) and third in points (304). Matt still has plenty of leg, having recently won a UFL kicking competition.
The Commanders brought McCrane in for a tryout in 2024, and he was briefly on the Lions practice squad that same year, so he is definitely on the radar for NFL teams. UFL rules prohibit a player from signing with an NFL team during the season, but if McCrane puts together another successful campaign, he might find himself back at Commanders minicamp vying for a chance to compete with Jake Moody.
Bottom Line
If fans learned anything last season, it is that depth matters. While these thrifty bargains might not be flashy, the team could easily find one or more of them playing significant snaps in 2026. Adam Peters has done an admirable job in free agency filling out the roster, but there is still work left to be done before the front office and coaching staff turn their full attention to the 2026 NFL Draft.