2 free agents Commanders should monitor before Week 12 vs. Cowboys

The Washington Commanders have stalled while rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has hit the wall against some tough defenses in recent weeks. The signal-caller is naturally showing his inexperience, while offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's scheme is missing some key pieces, becoming cautious and predictable.

Fortunately, each of those problems can be solved by general manager Adam Peters casting an eye over the hidden riches still to be found among the free-agency scrapheap. A discerning bargain hunter would spot the perfect short-range safety valve for Daniels, as well as a player who'd restore the thump to Washington's ground attack.

Hybrid fullback can give Commanders' running game missing beef

Jakob Johnson's trouble sticking with the New York Giants is puzzling. The 29-year-old is one of the more formidable lead-blockers in the NFL, but he has clocked more miles going on and off their practice squad than Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley managed against the Commanders' defense on Thursday Night Football.

The Giants' latest transaction marked the 1,025th time (at least) Johnson has been let go to make room for somebody else. That's exaggerating, of course, but the Commanders should pounce to end this carousel and equip themselves with somebody perfect for Kingsbury's blocking schemes.

Johnson could line up in the backfield ahead of Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, or Chris Rodriguez Jr. Every member of this quartet would benefit from the 6-foot-3, 255-pounder's crushing blocks.

De-cleating pursuit defenders became a niche for Johnson during stints with the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders. Rhamondre Stevenson and Josh Jacobs both topped 1,000 yards rushing and enjoyed career-best seasons when he was leading the way.

Johnson is also versatile enough to line up as a tight end. He could pull into space the way Kingsbury has had John Bates and rookie Ben Sinnott do for most of this season. He would also be an asset helping offensive tackles, particularly struggling right tackle Andrew Wylie, in pass protection.

There's nothing but upside for the Commanders if they sign and stash Johnson on the roster for the run-in to the playoffs. Provided he isn't having yet another reunion with the Giants again.

Forgotten Pro Bowler would ease the burden on Terry McLaurin

A running game working at full capacity again would make Daniels' life easier, but what the first-year signal-caller needs more is a foil for No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin. The latter is a credible deep threat on the perimeter. However, the Commanders are missing somebody who can feast between the hash marks.

Enter Hunter Renfrow, a forgotten Pro Bowler who snagged 103 catches during his banner campaign with the Raiders in 2021. The wideout won so often for the Silver and Black by consistently eluding press coverage at the line of scrimmage.

Multiple moves out of his breaks made Renfrow lethal on option or choice routes. He became the kind of quarterback-friendly target a passer like Daniels, who's still honing his craft at the pro level, could count on in difficult moments.

Veteran Olamide Zaccheaus or 2024 third-round pick Luke McCaffrey might have adopted this vital role, but neither has been convincing. Their struggles mean kicking the tires on Renfrow and seeing what the 28-year-old has left is necessary due diligence for the receiver-needy Commanders.

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