The Washington Commanders currently have $16 million in cap space after making a series of cuts on Wednesday. While the release of Ereck Flowers stunned fans, Matt Ioannidis and Deshazor Everett getting the axe were expected.
After speculation that Landon Collins was having second thoughts about leaving, the Commanders announced he’ll be designated as a post-June 1 cut. The move will save $11.8 million in cap space, but it won’t be processed until that date. In other words, his contract will remain on the books until then.
While the Commanders aren’t flush with cap space, they now have the necessary wiggle room to make low-profile signings.
The need to upgrade at linebacker and wide receiver goes without saying, but the tight end position could stand to be improved, too. Last season, Ricky Seals-Jones, who has since signed with the Giants, proved invaluable as a veteran backup to Logan Thomas, who missed 11 games through injury.
With that in mind, let’s highlight some of the best remaining TEs in free agency whom would qualify as solid pickups for Washington.
3 tight ends Commander should sign as Logan Thomas insurance
3. Robert Tonyan
While Robert Tonyan is more “talented” than the No. 2 tight end on this list, his potentially high price tag makes him the third option.
In all honesty, it’s not easy to gauge Tonyan’s market as an ACL injury limited the Indiana State product to just eight games last season.
On the other hand, though, the former Packers tight end is just one season removed from setting the league ablaze with 52 catches for 586 touchdowns and 11 touchdowns. Those 11 scores tight Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce for the most in the NFL at the position.
In terms of yards per route run, Tonyan ranks 17th amongst tight ends over the last two campaigns. Will a team be willing to pay a second-wave premium to land his services? Or will the fact he had one notable season in four tires with Green Bay limit his potential suitors, and thereby his price tag?
With a number of teams in need of a tight end, Tonyan’s price tag could range anywhere between $4-8 million per year. If it’s closer to the former, the Commanders should absolutely give him a call and see if he has interest in signing. Though not a great run-blocker, Tonyan is as sure-handed as they come at the TE position.
With Logan Thomas coming off major knee surgery, Tonyan would provide a stabilizing presence as the No. 2 option.
2. Jared Cook
Jared Cook has long been one of the most underrated tight ends in the NFL. That probably has something to do with his propensity to commit big drops, but he’s been a serviceable security blanket for the better part of 10 years.
At 34 years old, Cook is clearly nearing the end of his career, but you wouldn’t know it based on his production with the Chargers last season. In 16 games, he compiled 48 catches for 564 yards and four touchdowns. His TDs were his fewest since 2017, but his catches and targets were the most he’s managed since 2018.
Cook hasn’t played more than 60 percent of the snaps since 2018, and that aligns perfectly with his projected role in Washington. At 6-foot-5 and 246 pounds, Cook and Thomas, who’s 6-6, 250, would give quarterback Carson Wentz two big bodies to target up the seam and in the middle of the field.
Given how much Wentz relied on his TEs in Philadelphia, it would behoove the Commanders to have a quality backup behind Thomas, who endured both a hamstring injury and torn ACL last campaign. With Seals-Jones now playing for the rival Giants, Cook could step in and fill RSJ’s backup role without a hitch.
As someone who’s only missed 17 games over his 13-year career, Cook makes perfect sense as a second-wave pickup for Washington.
1. Gerald Everett
If any fans are still salty about the Seahawks rejecting the Commanders’ aggressive trade offer for Russell Wilson (three first-round picks at minimum) signing Wilson’s former security blanket would qualify as some nice payback.
We like to think of Gerald Everett as the best remaining tight end on the market. The former second-round pick of the Rams in 2017 is blessed with elite athleticism, which, paired with his 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame, makes him a nightmare to cover in the red zone and to tackle in the open field in YAC situations.
At a position that struggles with consistency around the league, Everett has averaged 61.6 targets, 42 catches, 434.3 receiving yards and 10.4 yards per reception over the last three seasons. Pretty solid for a tight end, no?
After four years with the Rams, Everett signed with Seattle in free agency last offseason and went on to enjoy his finest season as a pro, notching career-highs in targets (63), catches (48), receiving yards (478) and touchdowns (four).
If there’s a weakness in Everett’s game it’s that he isn’t a formidable run blocker. However, his talent and consistency as a pass-catcher makes him an ideal pairing next to Logan Thomas and 201 fourth-rounder John Bates.
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