3 remaining free agents who could help Commanders fill linebacker void

1. Alexander Johnson

Like Carter, Alexander Johnson looks to be the odd man out in his former (?) team’s linebacker rotation. That’s not really a surprise, though.

With the Broncos’ re-signing Josey Jowell to a two-year contract and the emergence of 2021 third-rounder Baron Browning towards the end of last season, Johnson is likely looking for a new home this offseason.

In a normal offseason, the 30-year-old linebacker likely would’ve have been signed already. However, his age coupled with the fact he’s coming off a season-ending torn pectoral muscle has undoubtedly hindered his market.

That kind of fits right into Washington’s line of business this offseason. Of all the players they’ve signed/re-signed in free agency, Bobby McCain signed for the most guaranteed money at a measly $4.7 million. Coming into the offseason, PFF projected Johnson to sign for $7 million per year and $9 million guaranteed.

When healthy, Johnson is a menace going sideline-to-sideline sniffing out running plays. In fact, according to PFF only Bobby Wagner has a better run-defense grade at the LB position since Johnson became a starter for Denver in 2019.

Johnson has also held his own in coverage as a pro, logging a combined 67.0 coverage grade from PFF across 2,118 career snaps. And don’t look too much into his age. He got a delayed start to his career and didn’t play his first defensive snap until 2019. Unlike most 30-year-olds, Johnson doesn’t have much wear and tear on his body.

Bottom line? Johnson is the best pound-for-pound inside linebacker left on the open market this side of Bobby Wagner. As long as Washington is encouraged by his medical report, they shouldn’t think twice about signing him.