4 Commanders who could tumble down depth chart after free agency

Christian Holmes – Commanders CB

While there was a lot to like about Christian Holmes from a special teams’ standpoint throughout his rookie campaign, whether he can force his way up the cornerback depth chart is another matter. The Washington Commanders cannot afford to sit on their hands and wait for him to develop, so addressing this need via free agency or the 2023 NFL Draft is another high priority ahead of the new campaign.

Holmes was classed as a project pick in the seventh round last year. He was a physical presence – albeit a little raw – at Oklahoma State, which came across during his extremely limited reps on the defensive rotation as a rookie.

There is an NFL-ready frame and enough athleticism to suggest further strides can be made. And as stated previously, the player remains an asset on special teams until the coaching staff trusts him enough to become more involved.

Washington will likely consider spending the No. 16 overall selection on someone like Joey Porter Jr. or Christian Gonzalez if available. They should also have enough financial wiggle room for a veteran signing or two if the right opportunity comes along.

All Holmes can do is focus on himself and let the chips fall where they may. But all signs point to a battle for cornerback involvement in 2023.