4 free agents the Commanders were wise to avoid in 2024
By Dean Jones
Commanders were right to avoid Mike Williams
All eyes were on the Los Angeles Chargers to see how they would get under the salary cap in 2024. Instead of turning their attention to high defensive earners such as Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, those in power made sacrifices on the offensive side of the football instead.
Keenan Allen was traded to the Chicago Bears for nothing more than a fourth-round selection. Before that, the Chargers released Mike Williams, who is coming off a serious ACL knee injury and wasn't deemed worthy of the salary-cap hit coming his way.
This led to speculation linking the Washington Commanders with a potential swoop for the player. They are lacking a big-bodied wideout capable of creating separation consistently to go alongside Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Adam Peters has addressed almost every position group during free agency. He has yet to acquire a new pass-catcher.
Looking at the deal Williams signed with the New York Jets, this is something Peters was never going to fork out. The Commanders are moving differently under his leadership. Even though it's a one-year deal that could be worth $15 million, the risk attached was too great to justify such a commitment from Washington's perspective.
This is an exceptionally deep wide receiver draft class and the Commanders are loaded with high-end picks. Once Peters chooses his future franchise quarterback, it would be a surprise if he didn't address the wideout position at some stage on Day 2.