3 veteran free agents Commanders should bring in for training camp tryouts
By Jerry Trotta
With the NFL Draft and second and third waves of free agency long in the rearview mirror, the Washington Commanders‘ efforts to strengthen their roster for the 2022 season are nearing completion. At this point in the offseason, most of the starting roles are set in stone with certain roles still lacking clarity.
The talent of Washington’s roster is undeniable, but there are still various positions that could benefit from another signing. With training camp next up on the docket following the conclusion of OTAs and minicamp, teams around the NFL will soon begin inviting what’s left of the free agent pool for camp tryouts.
With $18.383 million in remaining cap space after Landon Collins’ release became official, the Commanders are better equipped than all but six teams (the Browns, Panthers, Bears, Steelers, Cowboys and Raiders) in terms of cap room.
Granted, any signing at this stage of the offseason — unless it’s a proven superstar like Odell Beckham Jr.– will come at a bargain. Before we get ahead of ourselves, here are three veteran free agents whom Ron Rivera and Co. should invite to Ashburn for a training camp workout in late July.
3 free agents Commanders should invite to training camp
3. Trey Flowers
The defensive tackle market is definitely more fruitful than the edge rusher market at this stage of the offseason. Since we’ve already highlighted some DTs who could bolster the Commanders’ defensive front, we figured we’d float possibility of fetching Flowers into the universe.
Yes, Chase Young and Montez Sweat form a formidable duo, but it couldn’t hurt adding another reliable option for depth purposes, especially with top backups Efe Obada and James Smith-Williams expected to kick inside on passing downs.
The bottom line is you can never have too many pass rushers and Flowers is more than proven in that regard. A former two-time champ with the Patriots, Flowers’ three-year stint with the Lions was an unmitigated disaster. He played a combine 14 games the last two years and managed just 4.5 sacks and six QB hits.
With Flowers’ value the lowest it’s ever been, he could be a worthwhile pickup for the Commanders. With Chase Young expected to start training camp on the physically unable to perform list, he could start Week 1 if Young isn’t cleared in time.
Still just 28 years old (he’ll turn 29 in August), Flowers has plenty of productive football left in the tank. According to PFF, he logged a player grade over 80 (!) in every season from 2017-20, so he can still be a force in the right scheme.