3 Commanders starters from 2021 who are still free agents

1. Landon Collins

Like Flowers, it’s pretty surprising Collins is still a free agent. Then again, Odell Beckham Jr., Sheldon Richardson, Julio Jones, Will Fuller and several other household names remain unsigned with training camp on the horizon.

Unlike Flowers and Bostic, Collins has the best chance of being re-signed by the Commanders. While defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio recently downplayed the importance of the Buffalo nickel position, it’s no secret that Collins flourished in this role after he was (finally) pulled from his full-time safety role.

Del Rio clearly prefers deploying an extra defensive back in his nickel package. As presently constructed, Kam Curl, Percy Butler, Darrick Forrest or even Jeremy Reaves, who had a strong minicamp, could fill the position via committee.

A foot injury knocked Collins out of commission for the final four games, but he was arguably Washington’s most impactful defender for a five-game stretch. In fact, from Weeks 7-12, he logged a 72.2 defense grade from Pro Football Focus. During that stretch, he made 30 tackles, 13 run stops and four tackles for loss.

For the season, Collins finished with a 82.5 run defense grade that placed eighth among safeties, and a 74.0 pass rush grade that ranked 16th at the position, according to PFF. It’s really a shame it took the coaching staff so long to figure out how to best utilize his skillset before his release this offseason.

Where do you think the 28-year-old ends up?