Commanders could sign Dre Greenlaw
The Washington Commanders need to think quickly if contract talks with Bobby Wagner break down or if the veteran gets a better offer from elsewhere. Adam Peters could turn to a familiar face he knows well.
Dre Greenlaw and Peters spent time working together on the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran had some injury problems to overcome over the last year that stemmed from a devastating torn Achilles in the Super Bowl, but he managed to make it back briefly in 2024 before a calf issue dented his hopes of more involvement.
This is a risky acquisition given the health concerns. The Niners are reportedly going to let Greenlaw test the market considering their salary-cap constraints right now. If everything checks out medically, the Commanders could be in play for his services.
Greenlaw is a dynamic playmaker at the peak of his powers. He identifies plays developing quickly and arrives at the contact point with supreme conviction. The former fifth-round pick accumulated 247 tackles in the two seasons before 2024. He'll also be 28 years old when competitive action begins again, so there's a long-term aspect to this equation if everything goes well.
The potential pursuit of Greenlaw is almost entirely dependent on his medical assessments. If they're satisfactory, he'll be on the shortlist.
Commanders could draft Jihaad Campbell
The Commanders are picking further down the 2025 NFL Draft order than fans have become used to in recent years. That's not a bad thing by any stretch.
They're more familiar with examining the blue-chip prospects and potential franchise quarterbacks atop the board. That's not the case this time around after a remarkable playoff run to the NFC Championship game.
Washington holds the No. 29 overall pick. This is a deep draft class but weak at the top end for legitimate game-changers. Adam Peters will probably look to trade down here. If not, the general manager might have the luxury of taking the best player available depending on what he does in free agency.
If Bobby Wagner leaves for whatever reason, Washington would be wise to take an interest in Jihaad Campbell. The Alabama prospect is a bolt of lightning at the defensive second level. He's an accomplished tackler with productivity as an edge rusher, as evidenced by his 117 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and 12 tackles for loss during his final college campaign with the Crimson Tide.
The IMG Academy product is explosive with a savvy football mind despite his age. Campbell's over-aggression can sometimes be his undoing, but these problems can be rectified easily once Washington's exceptional coaching staff gets to work on honing his craft.