3 free-agent wide receivers the Commanders could sign (and 3 to avoid)

Commanders should avoid Michael Gallup

Despite averaging more than 14 yards per catch with the Dallas Cowboys, Michael Gallup was released. He caught just 56 percent of the passes thrown his way with the Washington Commanders' fierce division rival. That is better than Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but still not good enough in the league today.

Gallup also had trouble staying healthy, and that is just one more red flag. But even if he were extremely durable, you cannot carry a receiver who is almost as likely to drop a ball as he is to catch it. Not when he has played in one of the most productive offenses in the league and only managed one touchdown every four games over the past three seasons.

Commanders could sign Quez Watkins

As with Hunter Renfrow, something happened to Quez Watkins with the Philadelphia Eagles over the past two seasons. He was reasonably productive as a No. 2 wide receiver in 2021, but general manager Howie Roseman knew he could upgrade.

That upgrade was A.J. Brown. Watkins slid into a No. 3 role but his route tree shrunk. Then, last season, he vanished completely.

Of course, something went wrong with the Eagles' offense in 2023, and Watkins was just one of many players who suffered as a result. Still, he catches 67 percent of the balls thrown his way, and showed in his early years that he could get downfield.

Watkins is not going to be anyone's primary or even secondary target. But he could be effective further down the pecking order.