4 cost-effective free agents Commanders should sign before 2024 camp
By Dean Jones
Commanders could sign Michael Thomas
The Washington Commanders seem happy enough with what they have at the wide receiver position currently. Adam Peters brought in a couple of new faces, but the alterations weren't major despite losing versatile weapon Curtis Samuel to the Buffalo Bills in free agency.
Olamide Zaccheaus could be a useful rotational piece. This is a role he's carved out well for himself without ever taking off during his career to date. Hopes are much higher for third-round selection Luke McCaffery, who made an outstanding start to early offseason workouts and seems to be developing encouraging chemistry with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Couple this with the presence of Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and perhaps even Dyami Brown thanks to his vertical threat, this could be a decent unit. However, no team can ever have enough quality pass-catchers - especially considering the need for Daniels to hit the ground running in Year 1 of his professional career.
Michael Thomas might not be the force of old, but he knows how to create separation. He's past the peak of his powers thanks to some frustrating injury problems in recent years. The former Ohio State star did manage to put a consistent run of games together in 2023, but the production dipped significantly from that which saw him emerge as one of the league's best once upon a time.
Thomas was an inevitable salary-cap casualty this offseason as the New Orleans Saints looked to get themselves out of a severe hole. He remains on the market despite some glowing credentials. Something the Commanders might be able to take advantage of with an incentivized deal.
Adding Thomas to the wideout room provides Daniels with another dependable option who can get open quickly over short-to-intermediate routes. Asking the two-time All-Pro to do anymore at this stage of his career is risky, but there's a lot to like about his fit within Kliff Kingsbury's scheme if the Commanders decide more is required.