Ben Sinnott - Commanders TE
With Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz recovering from a torn ACL and not exactly getting any younger, the Washington Commanders needed a rethink at the position. General manager Adam Peters agreed, giving Chig Okonkwo a three-year, $30 million deal to become their new No. 1 option for quarterback Jayden Daniels to depend upon.
Okonkwo performed well on a disappointing Tennessee Titans squad last season. His ability to create separation and elusiveness after the catch are traits that can help Daniels. The Maryland product is eager to cement his status as a focal point, which would be the best-case scenario for all involved.
John Bates is among the best blocking tight ends in the league, and with good reason. Pairing him with Okonkwo gives the Commanders a potentially prolific tandem. Unfortunately, this may leave Ben Sinnott on the outside looking in.
The Commanders took Sinnott at No. 53 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft to be Ertz's heir apparent. That hasn't happened, and offensive coordinator David Blough believes there is a lot of hard work ahead for the player if he wants to fulfill his pre-draft promise.
Washington needs to turn things around quickly. Waiting for Sinnott was not an option, so Okonkwo's arrival raises the stakes considerably.
Will Harris - Commanders S
The Commanders injected some new life into their safety unit with the signing of Nick Cross on a two-year deal. His hard-hitting mindset and aggressive approach are something this defense didn't have last year after letting Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency for the Las Vegas Raiders. This also looks like a good scheme fit for what coordinator Daronte Jones plans to run, which centers on dynamism, versatility, and violence.
There is a chance more reinforcements are on the way, with Ohio State prospect Caleb Downs firmly in the discussion at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Any more new signings are not going to look favorably on Will Harris, who was tasked with filling the void left by Chinn last season and failed to meet expectations.
Injuries didn't help Harris. He got hurt in Week 2 and didn't look like the same player when he returned. The Commanders will probably give him another shot in 2026, but expecting miracles at this stage is unrealistic.
Jones praised Harris during his introductory press conference. However, with only one more year remaining on his deal, massive progress is needed for the defensive back to carve out a role for himself in Washington beyond 2026.