Commanders better utilize Cam Sims after re-signing him in free agency

It became evident during the first wave of free agency that the Washington Commanders weren’t going to spend a ton of money.

Not only did the Carson Wentz trade devastate their cap situation, but the team has emphasized retaining its own free agents while making low-profile pickups in the second and third waves since Ron Rivera was hired two years ago.

As expected, free agency started with Washington enduring losses. Before Wednesday, the team lost Brandon Scherff to the Jaguars, who made him the highest-paid guard in the NFL, and Tim Settle to Buffalo.

Since then, though, the tide has shifted.

On Tuesday, the Commanders re-signed Bobby McCain, who thrived at the free safety position in the second half of 2021, on a two-year deal.

In another move that will surely resonate with fans, it’s expected Cam Sims will be retained by Washington, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The Commanders are expected to re-sign wideout Cam Sims.

Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew had said re-signing Sims was a priority and it appears they’ll remain true to their word. There’s something to be said for that, but our immediate takeaway is Washington better plan on using him more. We’d just hate to see him return only to get buried on the depth chart again.

After a breakout 2020 in Scott Turner’s offense, in which he logged 32 catches for 477 yards and a touchdown on 14.9 yards and was Washington’s most important receiver in their upset bit against the Buccaneers in the playoffs, the fourth-year pro played 31 percent of the snaps and totaled 15 catches for 211 yards.

While Sims has struggled with drops, he always seems to produce when called upon. Of his 15 receptions last season, 11 accounted for first downs and Washington’s quarterbacks owned a 83.9 passer rating when targeting him.

It’d be one thing if the Commanders had other WRs deserving of playing time head of Sims, but 2021 third-rounder Dyami Brown disappointed as a rookie and veteran Adam Humphries was largely non-existent.

All told, DeAndre Carter was the only player who made the most of his opportunities. While shifty and slippery in the open field, it’s safe to say the the lifetime return specialist does not have THIS kind of potential in his pass-catching locker.

No disrespect to Carter, obviously. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds with incredible leaping ability, Sims brings a different dimension to the passing game. We all know Carson Wentz likes throwing to big-bodied wideouts, and Sims’ imposing frame and knack for finding pockets of space makes him a sneaky breakout candidate.

That is, if Washington uses him like a proper WR3/4. If they don’t, fans have every reason to question the decision to re-sign him, because Sims is far too talented to only play 31 percent of the snaps.

We’re not saying to give him a three-down role, but a 55-65 percent snap share seems fair given the team’s lack of alternative options.