Washington Commanders Free Agency Blueprint, Part 2

The Washington Commanders added eight new players in the recent NFL Draft and thirteen undrafted free agents shortly thereafter.  Also, the front office signed two free agents in recent days.

Following the NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders quickly transitioned to the next phase of the offseason with a rookie camp and the signing of a pair of free agents.  OTAs, mini-camp, training camp, and the preseason will fill the calendar over the next ninety-plus days and the ongoing process of roster-building will continue.

This offseason has been very productive for the Commanders.  They have been able to upgrade the following positions: quarterback (significantly), running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, and safety.  Look for the Commanders to possibly add a veteran linebacker and cornerback within the next few weeks – perhaps sooner.

Welcome to our second installment of the Washington Commanders free agency blueprint.  Our first update highlighted what could possibly happen, but this update shows what has happened thus far and the direction it could be progressing in the coming weeks.  The updates are numerous and the information presented to you today is currently up to the minute.  We are now able to provide an update on the draftees and undrafted free agents that were recently signed to new contracts.

Feel free to use this blueprint as a reference this spring, summer, and into the preseason.  We will have a final free agency blueprint posted about two weeks before the season opener.  For now, the focus shifts to the various camps, preseason, and the final steps of free agency.  Let’s jump right in with Part 2 of our free agency blueprint.

Current Roster

Unrestricted Free Agents

• Troy Apke, Safety/Cornerback/Special Teams – Re-signed, 3/13/22.
• Jon Bostic, Linebacker – Unlikely to return.
• DeAndre Carter, Wide Receiver/Kick-Punt Returner – Signed with the Chargers, 4/7/22.
• Jamil Douglas, Offensive Guard – Signed with the Giants, 3/18/22.
• Corn Elder, Cornerback – Re-signed, 1/11/22.
• Ryan Fitzpatrick, Quarterback – Not returning.
• Temarrick Hemingway, Tight End (SFA) – Not returning.
• Adam Humphries, Wide Receiver – Unlikely to return.
• Danny Johnson, Cornerback – Re-signed, 3/23/22
• Tyler Larsen, Center – Re-signed, 3/14/22
• Cornelius Lucas, Offensive Tackle – Re-signed, 3/24/22
• David Mayo, Linebacker – Re-signed, 1/28/22.
• Bobby McCain, Safety – Re-signed, 3/15/22.
• J.D. McKissic, Running Back – Re-signed, 3/16/22.
• Torry McTyer, Cornerback – Unlikely to return.
• Jared Norris, Linebacker – Unlikely to return.
• Nate Orchard, Linebacker/Defensive End – Unlikely to return.
• Darryl Roberts, Cornerback – Unlikely to return.
• Brandon Scherff, Offensive Guard – Signed with the Jaguars, 3/16/22.
• Ricky Seals-Jones, Tight End – Signed with the Giants, 3/16/22.
• Tim Settle, Defensive Tackle – Signed with the Bills, 3/16/22
• Cam Sims, Wide Receiver – Re-signed, 3/17/22
• Wendell Smallwood, Running Back (SFA) – Not returning.
• David Steinmetz, Offensive Guard (SFA) – Unlikely to return.
• Jonathan Williams, Running Back – Re-signed, 1/11/22.
• Gabe Wright, Defensive Tackle (SFA) – Unlikely to return.

* SFA – Street Free Agent

Eleven players on this list have not signed with any team.  It is unlikely that Washington will give any of them a call to return.

Restricted Free Agents

• Kyle Allen, Quarterback – Not Tendered, Signed by Texans
• Garrett Gilbert, Quarterback – Not Tendered, Signed by the Raiders.
• Jordan Kunaszyk, Linebacker – Re-signed, 1/13/22.
• Joey Slye, Kicker – Re-signed, 4/11/22.
• Exclusive Rights Free Agents
• Dylan Cantrell, Tight End – Not Tendered.
• Milo Eifler, Linebacker – Re-signed, 3/17/22
• Keith Ismael, Center – Re-signed, 3/16/22
• Jalen Jelks, Defensive End – Not Tendered.
• Brian Johnson, Kicker – Re-signed, 3/16/22
• Bunmi Rotimi, Defensive End – Re-signed, 3/16/22
• Najee Toran, Offensive Tackle – Not Tendered.
• Jon Toth, Center – Re-signed, 3/17/22.
• Daniel Wise, Defensive End – Re-signed, 3/17/22.

Most of these players are long shots to make the final roster of 53, but a few of them could be heading to the practice squad.

Contract Extensions

• Troy Apke, Safety/Cornerback/Special Teams – Re-signed, 3/13/22.  One year, $1.05M, $152K signing bonus.
• Corn Elder, Cornerback – Re-signed, 1/11/22.  One year, $1.035M.
• Danny Johnson, Cornerback – Re-signed, 3/23/22.
• Jordan Kunaszyk, Linebacker – Re-signed, 1/13/22.  One year, $825K
• Tyler Larsen, Center – Re-signed, 3/14/22.  One year, $1.05M, $152K signing bonus.
• Charles Leno, Offensive Tackle – Re-signed, 1/7/22.  Three years, $37.5M.  $9M signing bonus, $18M guaranteed.
• Cornelius Lucas, Offensive Tackle – Re-signed, 3/24/22.  Two years, $8.2M.
• David Mayo, Linebacker – Re-signed, 1/28/22.  One year, $1.12M.
• Bobby McCain, Free Safety – Re-signed, 3/15/22.  Two years, $11M, $3.5M signing bonus, $5.7M guaranteed.  Three voidable years after 2023.
• J.D. McKissic, Running Back – Re-signed, 3/16/22.  Two years, $7M.  $2.5M signing bonus, $3.645M guaranteed.  Three voidable years after 2023.
• Cam Sims, Wide Receiver – Re-signed, 3/17/22.  One year, $3.25M.  $1.25M signing bonus, $2M guaranteed.
• Joey Slye, Kicker – Re-signed, 4/11/22.  Two years, $5M.  $2M guaranteed.
• Jonathan Williams, Running Back – Re-signed, 1/11/22.  One year, $915K.

Technically, Charles Leno was signed just before the end of the 2021 season in January.  We are including him on this list.

Exercised Option

• Montez Sweat, Defensive End – Fifth year option for 2023, 3/2/22.

Trades

• Carson Wentz, Quarterback – Obtained, 3/16/22.

Wentz was the most significant acquisition of the 2022 offseason.  His name is all but penciled in as the starter for this season.