Stefon Diggs
Getty
Free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
The Washington Commanders have multiple glaring roster needs and just one pick inside the top 70 of this year’s NFL draft, which means one of the most active teams through the first month of free agency isn’t likely finished adding veteran talent.
Who the Commanders target with the No. 7 overall pick will depend on who remains available, though linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs or any one of the three top edge-rushers (David Bailey, Arvell Reese and Rueben Bain Jr.) are all viable candidates.
Washington could also potentially have its choice of rookie wide receivers in that spot, but the pool of free-agent talent is a bit deeper at that position with a couple of value options as prospective WR2s alongside two-time Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin.
Perhaps the best fit of the top remaining candidates, whom ESPN’s Adam Schefter detailed on social media Tuesday, is Stefon Diggs.
Adam Schefter
If a team needs veteran WR help, it’s still available. Free-agent WRs still include Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, DeAndre Hopkins and Odell Beckham Jr.
With @tyschmit:
🎧 t.co/AdOzVACpLr
Jauan Jennings would be a quality addition considering Washington’s needs as a slot receiver who plays bully ball and is a strong inside target on third down and in the red zone. But Jennings is looking for the most money of any of the remaining free agents, with Spotrac projecting his market value at nearly $68 million over a new three-year deal.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots released Diggs after one season of a three-year contract worth $63.5 million total, and Spotrac projects his value at two years and $27.6 million total.
Stefon Diggs Can Fill Role as Slot Receiver for Commanders
Former Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs looks on from the sideline.
GettyFormer New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Diggs has moved inside to the slot more frequently over the past two seasons, first with the Houston Texans and last year in New England, where he tallied 85 receptions for 1,013 receiving yards and four scores.
He led the Patriots in targets, receptions and receiving yards last year, a season during which New England won the AFC and played in the Super Bowl. Diggs also produced 363 yards after the catch with only two drops for the campaign, per Pro Football Focus.
Diggs will play most of next season at 32 years old (he turns 33 in late November) and is no longer the perennial Pro Bowl player (four consecutive years from 2020-23) he was with the Buffalo Bills.
But he would fit well alongside McLaurin, who will continue to function as the Commanders’ X receiver on the outside.
Commanders Have Little Else in Terms of Pass-Catchers Outside of Terry McLaurin
Terry McLaurin
GettyWashington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
McLaurin put up just 38 catches for 582 yards and three TDs last season after inking a three-year extension worth $97 million that keeps him under contract through 2028.
It was the first campaign in the past five during which the now 30-year-old wideout missed any regular-season action, sitting out seven games, and the timing of his injury is reason for concern in Washington.
Thus, inking an aging player in Diggs, who is even older than McLaurin, is not ideal — particularly after the Commanders entered 2025 as the oldest roster in the NFL.
But the team’s options otherwise are limited. Washington brought back wideout Dyami Brown this offseason on a one-year deal, and also brought in two former Tennessee Titans in free agency: receiver Van Jefferson on one-year contract and tight end Chig Okonkwo on a three-year deal.
The top two WRs on the Commanders’ depth chart alongside McLaurin as of Tuesday are Treylon Burks and Luke McCaffrey, who combined to play in 17 games last season and caught a total of 21 passes for 333 yards and four TDs.