4 bargain free agents the Commanders could steal in second wave
By Dean Jones
Commanders could sign David Bakhtiari
When David Bakhtiari and the Green Bay Packers went their separate ways, it was widely believed the left tackle would reunite with close friend Aaron Rodgers on the New York Jets. That won't be happening now after the AFC East outfit secured Tyron Smith to man their blindside and traded for Morgan Moses.
Bakhtiari was one of the league's premium left tackles once upon a time. He's a two-time All-Pro with three Pro Bowl selections under his belt. That said, this sort of move comes with significant risk attached if the Washington Commanders identified him as a player of interest.
There are some serious red flags from an injury perspective where Bakhtiari is concerned. He's suffered two serious complications in three years. Even when he did come back in 2022, the former fourth-round pick out of Colorado mustered just 11 games.
Much will depend on interest from elsewhere, but a situation could emerge where someone can land Bakhtiari on a prove-it deal. Acquiring the veteran wouldn't prevent the Commanders from drafting a left tackle early in the 2024 NFL Draft. It just means they'll have an insurance policy in place to provide short-term assistance.
Everything must be checked out medically. That's the first - and more important - part of the equation with Bakhtiari. If the reports are satisfactory and the money works, it might be a gamble worth taking.