Nick Cross - Commanders S
- Dead money: $1.5 million
- Cap savings: $6.25 million
The Washington Commanders needed a rethink in the safety room this offseason. Nobody was cut loose, but more reinforcements were required to raise urgency. General manager Adam Peters solved this issue quickly with the signing of Nick Cross in free agency.
Cross is young, explosive, and on the rise. He does his best work in the box, providing a tone-setting presence against the run with the closing speed to reach the ball carrier quickly. While his coverage capabilities are less impressive, there are legitimate flashes in this area, too.
This looks like the perfect option for Daronte Jones' defensive system. It won't preclude the Commanders from drafting another safety, potentially even at No. 7 overall if those in power are enamored enough with Caleb Downs. Partnering the Ohio State prospect with Cross is a mouthwatering proposition with the scope to completely change Washington's fortunes on the back end.
Peters wasn't going to leave anything to chance. Cross' contract is extremely team-friendly with a legitimate out after Year 1 if things don't go according to plan. Hopefully, that won't be the case, but the Commanders can easily move off the defensive back's deal if he cannot make the most of his significant opportunity in Washington.
Terry McLaurin - Commanders WR
- Dead money: $18 million
- Cap savings: $16 million
It seems almost unfathomable that the Commanders will consider releasing wide receiver Terry McLaurin. However, there are growing murmurings that this could be the second-team All-Pro's final season in Washington when push comes to shove.
McLaurin is a franchise cornerstone. He's their most productive wideout by a considerable margin, always putting the team first and ascending into the borderline elite category despite a revolving door of quarterbacks earlier in his career. The respect in the locker room is evident, but injury problems became a frustration last season after a long contract standoff over the summer.
The former Ohio State standout eventually got his deal, but only when the terms suited Adam Peters. It was a messy situation that didn't need to be so complicated, but it may have fractured the relationship enough to make a departure more plausible.
This is almost entirely dependent on how McLaurin performs next season. He is the wrong side of 30 now. He is looking to stay healthy and bounce back. If the wideout gets back to his old self, that could justify the $34 million cap number coming his way in 2027.
There is a flip side to this coin. If McLaurin cannot stay on the field or his performances regress, Peters may consider trade offers or even cut him loose entirely.