Commanders could sign Jourdan Lewis
Dan Quinn surrounded himself with people he trusted to smooth his transition. The Washington Commanders benefitted greatly from this approach, so expect a similar trend to continue (albeit less dramatic) in the coming weeks.
Quinn is widely respected around the league. One only has to look at the way his former players talk about him to see that. There also happen to be a couple of notable Dallas Cowboys stars entering free agency who'd likely consider reuniting with the coach in a different environment.
Jourdan Lewis is going under the radar compared to most free agents around the league. He's a solid cornerback capable of assisting in all phases. Nobody will know more about how best to utilize his skill set than Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr., so it'll be fascinating to see if Washington throws its hat in the ring.
Adding Lewis to a cornerback room consisting of Mike Sainristil, Marshon Lattimore, and potentially Noah Igbinoghene represents a productive foursome with position flexibility across the line of scrimmage. Having these options should also give the defensive front seven more time to generate pressure, which is only going to assist Washington's cause.
The Cowboys will make an effort to keep Lewis around. But if Quinn gives him a glowing recommendation, the Commanders should be at the front of the queue if he tests the market.
Commanders could sign Isaiah Simmons
Not every signing in free agency is going to be a marquee name. That's not how Adam Peters works.
The general manager looks for athletic ability and how specific individuals fit within the schematic concepts. This comes through one year, prove it deals with the promise of more if everything goes well. It was a recipe for success in year one of Peters' tenure. Going away from this entirely would be foolish.
Taking some calculated risks on players a little down on their luck was another successful method from Peters' perspective. The likes of Jeremy Chinn, Noah Igbinoghene, and Dante Fowler Jr. thrived with extra responsibilities and another opportunity elsewhere. If the same approach is adopted this time around, examining Isaiah Simmons' potential in greater detail wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
Simmons was a highly-touted college recruit coming out of Clemson en route to becoming the No. 8 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. Things didn't quite work out with the Arizona Cardinals, who traded him to the New York Giants. Aside from a few flashes, his stint at MetLife Stadium was largely underwhelming.
This would be cost-effective. Simmons has the size, explosiveness, and athleticism to be impactful within Dan Quinn's defensive system. Nothing would be guaranteed to the player in this scenario — he'd have to earn his spot like everyone else.