The Washington Commanders need to maximize every resource available this offseason. General manager Adam Peters is expected to be aggressive in his quest to find the right acquisitions, and building around quarterback Jayden Daniels remains a key objective.
Washington's offensive line is solid. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has promise, though another productive running back will be needed. The wide receiver unit needs more. The tight end group also needs some fine-tuning, with veteran Zach Ertz unlikely to return.
Peters must put the necessary pieces in place to ensure that first-time offensive coordinator David Blough's transition goes smoothly. And one NFL analyst believes the Commanders have enough financial resources to make the splashy statement this offense desperately needs.
Commanders urged to prioritize Kyle Pitts Sr. if he tests free agency
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus thought the Commanders should prioritize Kyle Pitts Sr. if the Atlanta Falcons let him test the market. This would be a ready-made replacement for Ertz while also providing Daniels with another exceptional weapon before a critical third campaign.
"Although Washington’s defense was yet again among the league’s worst, the team could also upgrade its skill-position options. [Kyle] Pitts looked his best since 2021 with an 82.0 PFF receiving grade, 1.71 yards per route run and 51 first downs gained. The former fourth overall pick could find a landing spot in Washington: Zach Ertz’s future is uncertain after a serious knee injury, while John Bates and Ben Sinnott haven’t proven receiving threats. Pairing the 25-year-old Pitts with Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin could be enticing for multiple seasons."Bradley Locker
Pitts would be one of the top free agents on the market if Atlanta lets things get that far. The Commanders should keep a close eye on that dynamic, especially with new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski looking to hit the ground running.
It seems as if the Falcons will be moving forward with Michael Penix Jr. under center for at least another season. Stefanski is a run-first coach with the concepts to take Bijan Robinson's game to the next level. He may also want to keep Pitts around to benefit from play-action while moving him around the line of scrimmage to exploit mismatches.
The Falcons hold all the cards for now. They could place the franchise tag on Pitts, giving them some extra breathing room to work out a new deal. This would prevent him from speaking with other clubs during the legal tampering period, leaving the Commanders and others around the league out of luck.
If Stefanski decides that this relationship has run its course, there will be a lengthy queue of suitors for Pitts. That makes things more difficult for the Commanders, but Peters should shoot his shot if the Falcons cannot work something out.