3 Commanders with bleak futures after early 2023 free-agent moves

Tariq Castro-Fields – Commanders CB

Another big area of need for the Washington Commanders was boosting the cornerback room in 2023. Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste are serviceable, but those in power needed one or two new faces to give this critical position group an injection of life.

Going down the draft route for a true shutdown presence remains a real possibility. However, the Commanders also picked up Cameron Dantzler Sr. off the waiver wire after his departure from the Minnesota Vikings before free agency.

Dantzler had a down year by his standards in 2022, but the cornerback’s first two seasons in the league were highly impressive. Therefore, a change of scenery in a contract year could be enough for the one-time Mississippi State standout to get back to his old self.

If Washington acquires a college prospect capable of slotting in immediately, then it leaves Tariq Castro-Fields with a monumental task ahead of him this offseason. The former sixth-round selection endured a rocky start to his NFL career thanks to injury, so he’ll have a big point to prove when OTAs and camp roll around.

Castro-Fields played two games for the Commanders – mostly on special teams. The former Penn State star has enough speed to make a difference, but the margin for error is non-existent considering Dantzler’s presence and more competition arriving before preparations ramp up for the 2023 campaign.