3 NFC East free agents Commanders should consider signing

The NFC East has been the worst division in the NFL for several years now. There hasn’t been a repeat division champion since 2004, which is the longest active streak in the league and the longest in league history.

With five losing seasons on the bounce, the Washington Commanders have, unfortunately, played a role in the division’s demise.

However, with Washington seemingly a QB away from becoming a legit contender in the NFC, the Eagles fresh off a playoff birth and owning three first-round picks this year, and the Giants making strong hires to replace Joe Judge and Dave Gettleman, the division might be on the path back to respectability.

One thing is for certain, though, and that is the NFC East isn’t devoid of talent. Sure, it might pale in comparison to the NFC and AFC West, but the Commanders could stand to improve their roster by poaching some free agents from their longtime rivals.

Here’s one player from each team Washington could consider signing.

3 NFC East free agents for the Commanders

3. Billy Price

The New York Giants have a lot of core pieces set to hit free agency, including Jabrill Peppers, Evan Engram, Will Hernandez and Lorenzo Carter.

While Peppers piques are interest as an athletic specimen at safety and as a special teamer, we actually have our sights set on center Billy Price.

With Chase Roullier recovering from a fractured fibula and backup Tyler Larsen out of a contract, the Commanders quietly have a small need at center. We Schweitzer is the de facto third-stringer, but he’s the most likely internal candidate to replace Brandon Scherff at right guard, assuming he leaves in free agency.

Additionally, 2020 fifth-round selection Keith Ismael got some run at center (84.5% snap share from Weeks 12-18), amid all the injuries to Washington’s offensive line and to say he didn’t look the part would be an understatement.

Enter Price, a former first-round pick of the Bengals who started 15 games for the G-Men this campaign and saved his career down the stretch of 2021.

In Week 8 and beyond, the Ohio State product owned the 12th-best player grade among centers at 72.5, per PFF. During that span, he was charged with nine pressures, zero sacks and one penalty to go with a 98.5% pass-block efficiency.

With the Giants likely to find their new long-term center in April’s draft, they might let Price walk if they net one of the top-ranked prospects. Should that happen, the Commanders would be smart to sniff around his market.