3 waiver wire targets the Commanders should chase after final cuts

1. Jaquiski Tartt, S

Tartt has been a staple in the San Francisco secondary for six years before signing with the Eagles this offseason on a one-year deal. Days before trading for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles cut Tartt and he is now a free agent.

Given Washington’s lack of depth at corner, it would be beneficial for the Commanders to be prepared for a potential injury to one of its starting corners. Most likely, at some point this year, the Commanders will have to rely on, once again, 3-safety sets like they predominately used last year.

While both Darrick Forrest and Percy Butler have the potential to be a reliable third safety in the future, neither are quite ready for that yet. Forrest is farther along, as Butler will be used primarily on special teams. The Commanders could stand to improve their safety room, however.

Tartt has been a very versatile safety in his time with the Niners. While the majority of his snaps came in two-high sets, or as the over-the-top safety, he has over 160 career snaps in the box according to PFF.

The former Niner’s level of play has tailed off slightly in recent years, as he shifted to becoming more of a rational player in San Francisco in 2020 and 2021, while also struggling with injuries in years past. He is not an all-star caliber player; there is a reason he is available after all.

However, his versatility, veteran presence, and physicality could be a welcome addition to the safety. In this case, unfortunately, it might send Jeremy Reaves back to the practice squad, but Washington vastly needs to improve its secondary.

There simply aren’t that many options that are worthwhile on the market at the moment, however. So Washington will need to continue to flesh out its safety room. The addition of Tartt can do that, in a rotational capacity.