6 free agents Commanders can sign after losing out on James Bradberry
By Jerry Trotta
4. Chris Harris Jr.
It’s unclear if the Commanders will target another CB after missing out on Bradberry. If they do, Harris Jr. makes a ton of sense. One of the best cornerbacks of his generation, Harris’ best days are clearly behind him entering his age-33 season, so he’s likely best served in the nickel playing in a man or zone scheme.
That fits perfectly for Washington with Kendall Fuller and William Jackson expected to start along the boundaries. Additionally, Harris would bring 141 career starts to a secondary that otherwise lacks experience behind Fuller and Jackson. If the season started today, one of Danny Johnson or Benjamin St-Juste would start in the nickel. Does that instill confidence in anyone?
Harris wouldn’t be a splash signing, but he’d plug a hole at a position that has serious question marks behind Fuller. Notice we didn’t include Jackson, who needs a bounce-back campaign after his 2021 was plagued by penalties and injuries.
Bottom line? There’s not much insurance behind Fuller and Jackson, and signing Harris would change that in a heartbeat.
3. Sheldon Richardson
Like Hicks, Richardson would bring needed depth to the defensive line, which lost Matt Ioannidis, who has since signed with the Panthers, and Tim Settle, who inked a two-year deal with Buffalo in free agency after four years in Washington.
Primarily a DT on four-man fronts (which fits Washington’s style), Richardson even played some defensive end for the Vikings in 2021. He’s played best when lined up over tackles and still offers consistency despite being on the back nine of his career and not being the dominant run defender he was in his prime.
In 2021, Richardson played a career low 57% of the snaps. That should fit perfectly on the Commanders’ DL, which loves to rotate to maintain fresh legs, as Jonathan Allen played only 70% of the snaps en route to making his first career Pro Bowl.
A rotation of Allen, Daron Payne, Richardson and rookie Phidarian Mathis would give Washington a formidable foursome along the interior and allow them one more year to dominate before they reset if Payne leaves next offseason.