Which pending free agents playing in Super Bowl 57 should the Washington Commanders take a look at to boost their playoff hopes in 2023?
The Washington Commanders and 29 other teams around the league will be casting envious glances on this weekend’s Super Bowl. It promises to be a must-watch clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, who were the two best teams in 2022 and could put on a memorable encounter if both perform to the levels anticipated.
For Commanders fans, they’ll be hoping for a Chiefs victory rather than an NFC East divisional rival picking up the Vince Lombardi Trophy. And there are a few players involved worth keeping a close eye on ahead of free agency next month.
Washington could free up some significant cap space to become a major player in the market. If the right recruits come on board and assist immediately, there’s nothing to suggest a return to the playoffs isn’t within the team’s reach next time around.
With this in mind, here are four pending free agents playing in Super Bowl 57 that the Commanders could target in 2023.
Player No. 1
Commanders must target T.J. Edwards
Finding increased productivity at the linebacker position is something those in power should consider. Although the Philadelphia Eagles will fight hard to keep T.J. Edwards around, their money only stretches so far with plenty of mouths to feed this offseason.
If Edwards hit the open market, the Washington Commanders should be among the first teams picking up the phone. His sideline-to-sideline presence could be a tremendous asset for Jack Del Rio’s system and it would also take away a key defensive piece from a division rival for good measure.
Commanders must target Khalen Saunders
The Washington Commanders have a big decision to make with Daron Payne this off-season. His outstanding campaign in the final year of his deal was impressive, but it puts the front office in a bind considering the money he’ll now command on his next deal.
Payne’s 11.5 sacks last season represented a significant step in the right direction. His consistency against the run still needs work, but the former first-round pick finally looks like he can become the dominant anchor Washington hoped for when they selected the prospect No. 13 overall out of Alabama.
According to Spotrac, Payne is set to command an annual salary of almost $20 million per season. Not exactly chump change, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Commanders decide to offer him this sort of package or go in a different direction.
There is hope Phidarian Mathis can overcome a luckless rookie campaign and make a bigger splash. One cannot ignore the presence of Jonathan Allen on the defensive front and the potential for Chase Young to finally start reaching lofty expectations.
If Payne does depart, the Commanders need another solid defensive lineman capable of solid production on the rotation. Khalen Saunders might not have elite traits, but he does the little things well, stepping in at a moment’s notice and making his presence felt for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Commanders must target Andre Dillard
One area that could use a mini-makeover this offseason is the offensive line. The unit didn’t do much to prove stability for whoever was under center, so this has to be upgraded for Sam Howell or someone else to make a better go of things in 2023.
The Washington Commanders will likely examine the draft heavily and could even use the No. 16 overall selection on an offensive line position. This is also an extremely deep class at the center spot, which shouldn’t be overlooked by those in power.
Washington also has some money to throw around if they find the right guy. Andre Dillard is one such individual that could be searching for a new home and the opportunity to start somewhere else next season.
Dillard is a high-quality performer when on the field. But the Philadelphia Eagles had Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata manning the tackle positions to great effect during their memorable run to the Super Bowl.
After resisting trade offers for Dillard before the deadline, they might decide to put some sort of tag on the player to ensure they get something in return. However, a situation could also emerge where the former first-round selection out of Washington State is allowed to test the market.
This should interest the Commanders, to put it mildly. The promise of increased involvement for Dillard will only sweeten the pot.
Commanders must target James Bradberry
A third NFC East team for James Bradberry? It’s something the Washington Commanders should explore at the very least.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Bradberry since the Carolina Panthers opted to let him walk in 2020 free agency. He signed a big-money deal with the New York Giants but was cut after just one season, landing on the Philadelphia Eagles in double-quick time soon after.
This was a crossroad campaign for Bradberry. However, it was a challenge the cornerback was more than ready for en route to forming a prolific outside tandem with Darius Slay in 2022.
Slay and Bradberry became one of the league’s top cornerback partnerships, playing a significant role in Philadelphia winning the NFC in a comfortable fashion. Something that’s likely to make the former second-round pick a coveted free agent if he hits the market this spring.
Bradberry gave up just 45.3 percent of targets during the regular season and conceded a lowly 51.6 passer rating when targeted. Further evidence of his standout campaign comes in the form of an impressive 74.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.
The Eagles will obviously attempt to retain Bradberry and it’s something the player would accept if the financial aspect works for all parties. If negotiations don’t go well and Philadelphia doesn’t use the franchise tag, then the Commanders could get involved given their need for assistance at the position.