Injuries at tight end and safety present the Washington Commanders with logical motivation for adding a pair of free agents who could contribute right away with a final three-game run to close the regular season looming.
Fortunately, two names on the market should appeal to the Commanders for an obvious reason. Namely, familiarity, both among current players and with the coaching staff fronted by Dan Quinn.
A four-year starter for Washington at tight end is still available. That's despite his combination of size and versatility. The latter trait is also apparent in a safety Quinn knows well from his time with the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys.
Other positions, including defensive tackle, looked like priorities. Yet the possible impending return of linchpin Jonathan Allen changes the picture up front for the better.
Now it makes more sense for the Commanders to consider these two free agents before during, and after Week 16's crunch NFC East clash with the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium.
Logan Thomas can rekindle old magic for Commanders
He enjoyed a productive quartet of seasons suiting up for the Burgundy and Gold, and Logan Thomas still has a lot left to offer. The 33-year-old former Virginia Tech star confirmed a successful conversion from quarterback to tight end with a career-best 72-catch, 670-yard campaign in 2020.
Thomas was still delivering the goods during his final season with the Commanders in 2023. He snagged 55 receptions for 496 yards and four touchdowns.
Reuniting with Thomas would be timely after veteran Zach Ertz suffered a concussion during the unconvincing 20-19 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. The three-time Pro Bowler has given rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels a necessary safety valve, so he will be missed in Washington's penultimate home regular-season contest.
Thomas would do the same in familiar surroundings, provided he's completely over the hamstring issue that led to his release from the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason.
Another proven commodity can fill in across both the front seven and the defensive backfield.
Keanu Neal reunion makes sense for Dan Quinn
Proving his health would also be the priority for Keanu Neal if the Commanders came calling. The hybrid safety failed a physical with the Pittsburgh Steelers back in March, but he knows Quinn's system as well as anybody.
Neal can play the box safety role that's essentially a nickel linebacker in this defense. The 211-pounder also played both deep safety spots for Quinn's with the Falcons.
All of that experience makes Neal uniquely qualified to fill any void created by the possible absence of Jeremy Chinn. He also succumbed to a concussion against the Saints, but he was listed as a limited participant in practice this week. The former second-round pick has been playing well enough to merit a new deal, so being without the 26-year-old would be a significant blow for the Commanders.
Perhaps Darrick Forrest or Percy Butler could fill in, although the latter has been erratic at best this season. The better move is surely to acquire a depth player Quinn trusts and who has intimate knowledge of the playbook.