Now that the Washington Commanders have their new defensive coordinator in place, all eyes are on general manager Adam Peters to see if he can provide Daronte Jones with the weapons needed to excel. There is still a need to build around quarterback Jayden Daniels, but the roster has to become more balanced this offseason.
Arguably, what would help Daniels more than anything else is having a competitive defensive unit. It's something the dynamic signal-caller hasn't had since joining the Commanders. Jones plans to change all that, but finding players capable of carrying out his aggressive plans is paramount.
The Commanders only have six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with two in the first four rounds. That dictates the need for Peters to be bold in free agency, and Washington's front-office leader has the money to spend to achieve this objective.
Commanders projected to land Packers LB Quay Walker in free agency
There is a desperate need to get younger and more explosive at all three levels. With aging linebacker Bobby Wagner set to either depart call time on his future Pro Football Hall of Fame career, a replacement is needed. Zachary Perelus of CBS Sports thought someone like Quay Walker could be the second-level revelation Washington's defense is looking for.
"Washington desperately needs to add youth, speed and athleticism across the defense especially, and the 25-year-old [Quay] Walker fits the bill for what should be an overhauled unit."Zachary Perelus
Walker is a sideline-to-sideline presence against the run who can make things happen on blitz packages. There are some coverage frailties that deserve further examination, but he's only just entering his prime, with plenty of good years left in the tank.
That couldn't be said of most free agents acquired by the Commanders last year. The bet on veterans past their peak blew up spectacularly. Hungry young players should be the priority this time, and Walker ticks a lot of those boxes.
Peters would be wise to seek Jones' counsel before deciding on any free agents. They have to fit the scheme. They have to adopt a mindset that responds positively to the coordinator's high demands. Walker came from a prestigious college program at Georgia before firmly establishing himself with the Packers. Fine-tuning his game could see him take off if Green Bay lets him test the market.
According to Spotrac, Walker is expected to command $8.28 million per season on a three-year, $24.82 million deal. That seems reasonable, and the Commanders have the cash to absorb this contract without jeopardizing their ability to strengthen other areas.
The Packers may want to keep Walker around, especially with Jonathan Gannon taking over their defense. If not, the Commanders could make a move.