3 potential cap casualties Commanders could target in free agency
By Jerry Trotta
The start of free agency is right around the corner and Washington Commanders fans (still adjusting) are hopeful the team is proactive in making new additions instead of waiting until the second and third waves to make moves.
With less than three weeks separating the start of the new league year, teams around the NFL have started managing their salary cap situations.
The Packers, for starters, have already restructured the contracts of two stars: defensive lineman Kenny Clark and running back Aaron Jones.
Other clubs, like the Chiefs, have been more cutthroat by outright releasing starting linebacker Anthony Hitchens. Time will tell if the Commanders play a role in the annual chopping block, but fans should expect a flood of cuts around the NFL with so many players due roster bonuses in early March.
While free agency will likely be Washington’s first choice to add talent, there’s always high-end players who become cap casualties. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some potential cuts the Commanders could consider signing.
3 potential cap casualties the Commanders could target
3. Eric Rowe
The safety position is a top-three need for Washington this offseason, and it’s unclear whether the club plans to splurge on a star in free agency or take the money-saving route and re-sign Bobby McCain or someone of that ilk.
With big names like Marcus Williams, the undisputed top free agent, the versatile Tyrann Mathieu and Bengals stud Jessie Bates all out of a contract, the front office could sign one of them and nobody would bat an eyelash.
If the Commanders prioritize other positions in free agency, or invest a high draft choice on a safety, Eric Rowe would be a solid fallback option.
The Miami Dolphins have plenty of cap space to keep Rowe around, but they figure to be one of the biggest spenders in free agency and the emergence of second-round rookie Jevon Holland last season makes Rowe expendable.
While Rowe is capable of filling the box safety role for Washington, he’s as good as they come at the safety position in man coverage. He played one of the highest rates in 1-v-1 coverage for Miami last season and earned a career-best 71.2 player grade and 70.7 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus.
Rowe isn’t your old-school ball-hawking safety, but he’s a guy who can go out and cover slot receivers, running backs and tight ends in a pinch.
As a seven-year pro with 50 career starts under his belt, we could be talked into the idea of signing Rowe while drafting a prospect in the second or third round to groom as Kam Curl’s long-term running mate.