Adam Peters is expected to be aggressive when the free-agent frenzy begins. The Washington Commanders have money to spend and are under pressure to make the necessary improvements, so fans are demanding bold moves to get this franchise back on an upward trajectory.
Even though this is not projected to be the strongest free-agent class, the New England Patriots proved last season how any team can maximize any crop of available veterans if the right fits are identified. That's the mindset the Commanders must adopt in the coming months.
Peters must take calculated risks while also moving away from aging players past their prime. There should also be a priority placed on defensive enhancements after another torrid campaign that saw Joe Whitt Jr. fired.
FOX Sports insider believes Kyle Dugger could be the perfect fit for Commanders' defense
The Commanders will have a plan of attack. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' input will be invaluable throughout the process. And based on the scheme he plans to run, an NFL insider believes Washington could strike gold with a forgotten name once touted as a future superstar.
Greg Auman of FOX Sports thought taking a swing at Kyle Dugger could be a risk worth taking for the Commanders. The well-rounded safety had an up-and-down year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he's got the versatility to impact proceedings in all phases, which is precisely what Jones is looking for.
"[Kyle] Dugger, 29, was jettisoned from the Patriots' defense in a pick swap as part of their 2025 turnaround, landing with the Steelers and voiding the last two years of a four-year, $58 million deal. He started nine games in Pittsburgh with two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, so the question is what fraction of his old salary will he draw on the open market? A new coach in Pittsburgh means there isn't an obvious landing spot for Dugger, a low-risk rebound signing."Greg Auman
Dugger is fast and physical. He loves coming down to the second level to assist against the run. The 2020 second-round pick is impactful on blitzes and can hold his own in coverage. He might also be relatively cheap to acquire, if market projections are any indication.
The former Lenoir-Rhyne Bears' enforcer is projected to get a two-year, $11.89 million deal in free agency, averaging $5.94 million per season, according to Spotrac. Washington has more than enough cash to absorb this sort of figure. What Peters and Jones must determine is whether this fits the scheme and whether Dugger would be an upgrade over what they currently have.
It's an intriguing possibility. The Commanders might be looking for someone a little younger, which wouldn't be a bad thing. But having someone to depend upon with Dugger's experience and athleticism wouldn't be a bad addition to the ranks, either.