Commanders urged to make audacious move for Pro Bowl free-agent wide receiver

The Washington Commanders are in a profitable position heading into the offseason. Everyone around the league is starting to look at this franchise differently. Players are supposedly telling their agents to engineer moves to the organization as excitement builds about their future aspirations. This is a tremendous spot for general manager Adam Peters to be in.

Peters will have a good indication of where this roster is right now. He'll know its strengths and weaknesses. He'll have a good idea of how to improve. The respected front-office leader will probably have a shortlist of free-agent possibilities already devised to give Washington's hopes a shot in the arm.

Despite trading for stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the deadline, the Commanders are blessed with an abundance of salary-cap space. Peters wants to build through the draft ideally. But with Washington way ahead of schedule, being a little bolder in the veteran market is something to consider.

Jayden Daniels is the franchise quarterback Washington has been looking for. He's put up borderline historic numbers for a rookie and boasts the poise to come through when it counts consistently. Surrounding him with better weapons to go alongside Terry McLaurin is crucial in the pursuit of maximizing his rookie contract.

Commanders urged to make bold splash for Chris Godwin in free agency

This was a topic discussed by Matt Holder from The Bleacher Report. The analyst thought the Commanders should target Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Chris Godwin when free agency hits. Something he believes could give them a legitimate 1-2 punch at wide receiver to ensure Daniels continues to thrive.

"Wide receiver is a current weakness in Washington and finding a complement to Terry McLaurin should be a big priority for the club this spring, and the front office is currently projected to have nearly $100 million of cap space, per Over The Cap, to go after a big fish. [Chris] Godwin will be one of the most recognizable names on the open market and has plenty of experience being a productive No. 2 after playing alongside Mike Evans in Tampa Bay his entire career. The 28-year-old who turns 29 in February has racked up 7,266 yards and 39 touchdowns in his career."

- Matt Holder, Bleacher Report

The Commanders got a good look at what Godwin could bring to the table in Week 1. He secured all eight of his targets for 83 receiving yards and a touchdown versus Washington's indifferent secondary. He's 28 years old with a lot of good football left. However, there are some important factors to consider before making this daring move.

Godwin is coming off a serious injury. The Pro Bowler suffered a brutal ankle issue versus the Baltimore Ravens that requires significant rehabilitation. The Commanders - or anyone else, for that matter - need to be sure there won't be any more health complications before making a lofty financial commitment.

That's the other thing.

The wide receiver market is thriving right now. Ja'Marr Chase is likely going to send the trajectory further up this offseason once he gets extended by the Cincinnati Bengals. Godwin won't command that much, but he'll be a hot commodity on the market that could send his price tag through the roof.

Spotrac projects the former third-round selection out of Penn State to get around $22.7 million annually on a three-year, $68.36 million deal. That's something the Commanders could afford, although it might also diminish their chance to fortify other areas depending on how the contract is structured.

Godwin is an outstanding playmaker. Whether he comes into consideration remains to be seen.

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