Although the Washington Commanders are still firmly in the playoff picture, their offseason needs are becoming clearer. This won't be going unnoticed by general manager Adam Peters, who's made an outstanding start to life in the role.
Peters undertook a drastic roster overhaul throughout his first offseason at the helm. The front office leader was aggressive and left no stone unturned in pursuit of improvements. This resulted in major on-field progress, but the hard work is just getting started.
The Commanders are expected to be major players when the 2025 recruitment period arrives. They have $100 million in available salary-cap space to bring experienced quality to the organization. Washington also has seven draft selections to find long-term pieces.
Peters got some decent returns from his first draft class. Jayden Daniels is a franchise quarterback. Both Johnny Newton and Mike Sainristil are potential cornerstone pieces. Brandon Coleman slotted into the left tackle spot seamlessly despite some growing pains. Luke McCaffrey and Ben Sinnott have flashed promise despite being used sparingly.
If Peters can get similar productivity from his next crop of college players, the better Washington's chances will be.
Commanders select OT Cameron Williams in CBS Sports mock draft
Which way the Commanders will go with their first-round pick is becoming a hot topic of discussion among the fanbase. Josh Edwards from CBS Sports thought Washington could identify Texas offensive tackle Cameron Williams, who's got the physical upside to be the perfect replacement for veteran right tackle Andrew Wylie with additional refinement.
"Right tackle Cameron Williams is still a bit raw, but he represents an upgrade over Andrew Wylie. Protecting Jayden Daniels and providing him with the skill talent that will allow him to remain successful is of the utmost priority in Dan Quinn's second offseason."Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
Williams is an outstanding athlete. His size, length, and power should make a smooth transition to the pros. The footwork and ability to mirror upcoming pass rushers are transferable traits that could potentially help the Commanders immediately.
Some flaws must be addressed if the Commanders went down this route. Williams needs to become better at counter-moves. Explosiveness to the initial contact point with consistent hand placement also needs refinement. But the positives far outweigh the negatives.
The Commanders have a difficult decision with Wylie during the offseason. He's got one year remaining on his deal and is performing relatively well. However, cutting him ahead of time will be considered if a better option can be found.
Surrounding Daniels with everything needed to thrive should be among Washington's biggest priorities this offseason. They've got a special player on their hands — that much is obvious following a superb rookie campaign. Ensuring his supporting cast is up to the required standard is extremely important.
Peters knows what he's doing. He's got the full trust of fans and won't hesitate to make tough choices to ensure Washington gets over the hump next time around.
If that includes replacing Wylie, so be it.