4 affordable free agents for the Commanders this offseason

Commanders could sign Romeo Okwara

Another big need for the Washington Commanders this offseason centers on their pass-rushing options. Trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young was a difficult decision to make for those in power. They felt like extra financial flexibility and additional draft capital were worth a short-term hit for potentially long-term gain.

Nobody who came in from lower down the depth chart shone in their absence. K.J. Henry flashed moments of promise, but the need to strengthen this critical area of on-field production cannot be overstated. Fortunately, the Commanders have the resources available to bring in the correct recruits.

Although Romeo Okwara has had trouble with injuries in recent years, he looked to have turned the corner in 2023. The defensive end was used as a rotational edge presence by the Detroit Lions as they came agonizingly close to reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. He managed to perform well from 24 percent of the team's defensive snaps, gaining two sacks and earning a superb 80.5 grade from Pro Football Focus as a result of his efforts.

The Commanders could be thinking bigger, which is understandable. But considering Okwara's ability to set the edge effectively on running downs and make his presence felt from a pass-rushing perspective when called upon, this wouldn't be a bad addition to the rotation under head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.