The Washington Commanders sadly didn’t play a part in what was a historic trade deadline in terms of number of players who were dealt on deadline day, but they did make waves by trading William Jackson at the eleventh hour after it was reported they were likely to release the cornerback if they couldn’t find a buyer.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is as reliable as they come, so the fact the injury-riddled Steelers swooped in with an offer was genuinely surprising and perhaps an indicator that they didn’t want to risk losing Jackson to the waiver wire.
There’s plenty of time to discuss how much Washington botched the Jackson signing. Right now, though, the veteran’s departure leaves the defense with a big hole at cornerback; one that the front office should be incentivized to fill.
By trading Jackson, the Commanders have $7.296 million in cap space — plenty of money to browse the free agent cornerback market.
3 William Jackson replacements Commanders need to sign
3. Kevin King
At 6-foot-3, King would give the Commanders another lanky cornerback alongside Benjamin St-Juste. Like the budding second-year talent, King has experience playing on the boundary and in the nickel. That versatility will play with Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio, who like to throw offenses different looks in games.
King fell out of favor in Green Bay, but he and Rasul Douglas did wonders filling in for injured All-Pro Jaire Alexander last season. In 10 games, the former second-round pick compiled a 70.6 player grade from Pro Football Focus. He also earned a 72.0 pass-rush grade and a 70.6 run defense grade.
In coverage, King was solid, allowing 19 catches on 26 targets and didn’t allow more than 80 receiving yards in a single game. For context, Jackson eclipsed the 80-yard threshold once in four games this season (Week 2 vs the Lions).
King isn’t a perfect player, but he’s one of the best remaining cornerbacks on the market and Washington (should be) desperate to get someone else in so Rachad Wildgoose, who’s fallen off after a hot start, doesn’t have to keep logging significant snaps every week.
2. A.J. Bouye
The calendar just turned to November, folks. You’re not going to find a Stephon Gilmore, Carlton Davis, D.J. Reed or Charvarius Ward on the open market. The top available options are mostly well-traveled veterans who have a few years left in the league. Enter Bouye, who turned 31 in August and was drafted in 2013.
There was a point in time, Bouye belonged in the upper-echelon of NFL cornerbacks. He made a Pro Bowl with the Jaguars in 2017, but has struggled with injuries in brief stops with the Broncos (2020) and Panthers (2021). Between those two seasons, the former undrafted free agent played a combine 17 games.
When healthy, though, Bouye is a productive player. In seven starts last season, he allowed just 7.2 yards per target and 9.1 yards per catch. Bouye is definitely in the twilight of his career, but he’s only 31 and hasn’t played a snap this season so he should have fresh legs and a hunger to get back on the gridiron.
1. Sidney Jones IV
We pegged Jones as someone the Commanders should target via trade after Seattle made him available. When the dust settled, the veteran didn’t get moved and the Seahawks waived him in the name of rolling with their overachieving group of young corners, including Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, Mike Jackson and Justin Coleman.
While Jones was the odd man out in Seattle this season, he’s one year removed from earning a 70.2 player grade from Pro Football Focus. In 16 games (11 starts), Jones tallied 10 passes defended and allowed just 35 catches on 56 targets (just a 62.5% completion rate) and committed just two penalties.
That low penalty rate would be a welcome sight for Commanders fans, as Jackson committed 12 penalties in 16 games with Washington. Jones shouldn’t have trouble adjusting to the Commanders’ zone scheme, either, as the Seahawks play man coverage less than 20% of the time, according to PFF. In fact, only the Vikings (11.5%) and Rams (10.7) play less man than Pete Carroll’s side.
William Jackson update underlines Commanders’ recent failed big-money moves
The Commanders will release William Jackson if they can't trade him before the deadline. This news underlines Washington's recent failed big-money moves.