3 next steps for Commanders after trading for Carson Wentz

The Washington Commanders have done well to round out their roster during free agency. After sitting out the first wave and losing multiple starters and key depth pieces, the front office has done well to re-sign/sign the players they have.

While that’s all well and good, the Commanders haven’t done much to equip Carson Wentz with weapons.

Yes, signing Andrew Norwell and re-signing Cornelius Lucas brings assurance to the offensive line and JD McKissic gives Wentz a valuable security blanket, his weapons at wide receiver and tight end leave a lot to be desired.

As presently constructed, Wentz should be able to lead this roster to between 7-10 wins and maybe a playoff berth. However, if Washington really wants determine whether he’s the long-term answer or actually a lost cause as a franchise QB, they need to continue building around him.

Here are three ways they can do just that.

3. Sign/Draft a Tight End

Anyone else getting a little nervous the Commanders haven’t signed a tight end in free agency? With Logan Thomas recovering from December ACL surgery, it’s unclear whether he’ll be ready for the start of next season. Even if he’s cleared, you have to think he won’t be given a full complement of snaps right away.

That puts a ton of pressure on John Bates. No one would deny he exceeded expectations as a rookie, but does anyone really view him as anything more than a stout run-blocker and intermediate pass-catcher? We just don’t see the Boise State product posing much of a downfield threat in the passing game.

As much as we would have like to see Washington sign a veteran in free agency, all of the cheaper intriguing options (Gerald Everett, Ricky Seals-Jones, Hayden Hurst, OJ Howard, Robert Tonyan) have found homes.

As of this writing, Eric Ebron, Kyle Rudolph, Jared Cook and Tyler Kroft are the best of the remaining bunch. We’d be fine if Washington signed any one of them, but perhaps the front office is considering drafting a TE in the middle rounds.

Between Trey McBride (Colorado State), Jaden Wydermyer (Texas A&M), Jeremy Ruckert (Ohio State), Greg Dulich (UCLA) and Jelani Woods (Virginia), there’s no shortage of prospects who project as immediate contributors.

Woods is the flavor of the week after his electrifying Combine and equally-impressive pro day. We’d love him on Washington, but he could come off the board earlier than expected given how much his stock has soared.

Either way, the Commanders need to add another TE for Wentz.