The Washington Commanders must be aggressive this offseason. General manager Adam Peters needs to place a strong focus on enhancing the defensive options, but surrounding quarterback Jayden Daniels with the supporting cast needed to flourish should also be a high priority.
One of the most pivotal centers around the tight-end position. Zach Ertz is unlikely to return after suffering a torn ACL late in the season. Ben Sinnott remains an unknown quantity two years into his playing journey. John Bates is a blocking specialist, and Colson Yankoff looks like a strong special-teams player but nothing more.
Peters needs to find a replacement for Ertz who can hit the ground running. And the perfect option just became available.
Commanders should consider David Njoku as a potential Zach Ertz replacement
David Njoku posted an emotional farewell to the Cleveland Browns on Instagram, indicating his nine-year journey with the club is over. Not exactly surprising when one considers the emergence of rookie sensation Harold Fannin Jr., but the veteran is unlikely to be out of work for long.
"Cleveland, first off I love you. These 9 years have been a beautiful journey. I’m am so grateful for all the memories we shared together. Thank you to The Haslams, Andrew Berry and the whole browns organization for everything!! All my teammates I shared the battle with I’m so grateful for you guys. The time for me to find a new home has come and all I can think of is just the gratefulness in my heart. The city of Cleveland will forever be home."David Njoku via Instagram
Njoku might be 30 and had some nagging injury problems in recent years, but he's a matchup nightmare capable of having a huge impact when firing on all cylinders. With new offensive coordinator David Blough potentially running a more West Coast system, he'll need someone with these athletic attributes to make things happen over the middle and into the red zone.
According to Spotrac, Njoku is expected to get a two-year, $19.98 million deal, averaging $9.99 million per season. That seems manageable from the Commanders' perspective, but they are unlikely to be alone in coveting the 2017 first-round pick once he gets the chance to speak with other clubs.
The Commanders may be looking for someone younger or cheaper, but they need proven productivity. Njoku ticks those boxes, and his athletic attributes could be a major asset to Daniels as he looks to silence some increasing doubters in Year 3 of his professional career.
Others will be considered, but the Commanders could do far worse than examine Njoku's credentials in greater detail.