10 underrated moves the Commanders made in 2023 offseason

Commanders signed Nick Gates

It's clear Chase Roullier was on his way out after another campaign riddled with injury problems. The Washington Commanders signed Nick Gates and drafted Ricky Stromberg, which enabled them to save some much-needed funds on their salary cap by letting the veteran center loose.

The acquisition of Gates, in particular, comes with a significant amount of intrigue. He is a quality veteran and a superb leader within the locker room, which could end up being a tremendous anchor for the protection that communicates effectively pre-snap for good measure.

There are some injury concerns that deserve consideration. But if Gates remains on the field, this represents an upgrade and one that could make him among Washington's most important offseason moves in 2023.

Commanders re-signed Danny Johnson

With the Washington Commanders promising upgrades to their secondary before competitive action began in 2023, one could have been forgiven for being a little nervous about Danny Johnson's future with the franchise. The cornerback produced the best season of his professional career from a coverage standpoint in 2022, which was enough to convince those in power he was worthy of a longer commitment before free agency.

Johnson penned a new two-year deal and more importantly, provides the player with a chance to build on his newfound momentum. Washington strengthened this area of the field with Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin, but extending the Southern product gives the Commanders a dependable, experienced presence capable of filling the void until the upstart rookies are ready for prominent responsibilities.

The Commanders have a defense poised for dominance if everyone stays clear of injury. Johnson always goes under the radar, but keeping him around could be worth its weight in gold.