4 grave offseason errors the Commanders must avoid in 2024

What offseason errors must the Washington Commanders avoid in pursuit of hitting the ground running under their new regime?

A new head coach and general manager mean a new day for the Washington Commanders, but Dan Quinn and Adam Peters can't waste the opportunity. Their rebuilding program has to involve going all in on solving the quarterback problem.

That'll likely mean trading for the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft will be discussed. Before then, Peters and Quinn should pay up to finally fix the offensive line, as well as use the franchise tag wisely.

Hopes are high with so many assets to utilize. But here are four grave offseason errors the Commanders must avoid under their new power couple.

Commanders cannot settle in QB race

Settling again and hoping for the best at the quarterback position is an error this Washington Commanders regime cannot afford to make. Instead, Dan Quinn and Adam Peters must go all in to acquire a true franchise quarterback. Even if it means trading up to select Caleb Wiliams.

Obtaining the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft from the Chicago Bears won't come cheap. Yet, giving up their own players and draft capital will be worth it for the Commanders if it puts them in sight of Williams.

The latter spent 2023 playing for new Commanders' offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury at USC. He knows Williams is an exceptional athlete, one capable of throws not many at his position can make.

Throws like this one highlighted by ESPN's Matt Bowen:

Making the splash move for Williams - whether it ultimately works out or not - is necessary for the Commanders. It would show the franchise is finally serious about getting it right at quarterback following a decade of half measures.

Most of those half-measures flopped in the last few years. Taylor Heinicke, Carson Wentz, and Sam Howell were all thrown to the wolves. Looking beyond Williams would be another half measure when Drake Maye's stock could fall and Jayden Daniels represents a reach.

Drafting Williams would put a face on this rebuild and show the Commanders are no longer willing to settle at football's most important position.

Whoever gets to play quarterback must be protected by better talent up front.

Commanders cannot choose cheap OL help

Playing it cheap along the offensive line was one of the defining features of the Ron Rivera era. Dan Quinn's predecessor routinely settled for journeymen and castoffs at key positions.

Players like left tackle Charles Leno Jr., center Nick Gates, and guards Andrew Norwell/Trai Turner came in, while All-Pro Brandon Scherff was allowed to leave town. Quinn and Adam Peters need to redress the balance by investing free-agency dollars and premium draft capital in the front five.

The first of those options shouldn't be a problem. Not when Spotrac.com projects the Commanders to have $83.54 million worth of financial resources.

That gaudy figure gives the Commanders a chance to sign any of the top offensive linemen set to enter the veteran market. Names such as tackles Tyron Smith and Mike Onwenu, guards Kevin Dobson and Kevin Zeitler, or center Connor Williams might be available.

The Commanders have also been rewarded when they've used high picks on linemen. Like when Sam Cosmi came off the board in Round 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft.

It's time for more high-grade investment in both veteran and rookie help for the line.

Commanders cannot ignore the value of free agency

Building through the draft never goes out of fashion in the NFL. It's often ordained the proper way to fix a losing team, while free agency is sneered at as a quick fix for the short-sighted.

The Washington Commanders are no strangers to this conceit. When Scot McCloughan became general manager in 2015, free agency was dismissed as something that landed a team with 30-something-year-olds who become problems.

It's a mistake to be derisive about such a fertile opportunity to improve a roster. The Commanders need more talent, regardless of whether it's of the youthful promise variety or the battle-tested aging type.

Dan Quinn and Adam Peters are armed with the funds to add proven commodities at key positions. This should enable them to target players used to winning and professional enough to embrace versatile roles.

You only need to look at this season's Super Bowl participants to see the value of free agency. The Kansas City Chiefs got excellent value from guard Joe Thuney and linebacker Drue Tranquill. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and cornerback Charvarius Ward have been cornerstones for the San Francisco 49ers.

A skilled pass-rusher like Danielle Hunter would help the Commanders replace Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen would instantly become the focal point of Quinn's defense. Gerald Everett would give the new QB1 a true playmaker at tight end.

Washington spent most of Dan Snyder's tenure being burned for splashing the cash in free agency. Smarter use of the veteran market can be a pillar of a Quinn and Peters-led turnaround.

Keeping their own free agents will also be important. Especially one particular homegrown success.

Commanders cannot dismiss franchise tag for Kamren Curl

Not many draft picks panned out under Ron Rivera. Kamren Curl is an exception. The seventh-round pick in 2020 has become an impact player at every level of the defense, somebody worthy of the franchise tag.

Curl broke up five passes, recorded a sack, and recovered a fumble in 2023. He can line up in the box, man the slot, and play in deep coverage.

The 24-year-old seems like an ideal fit for Dan Quinn - a roving hybrid defender who can be a matchup equalizer against certain threats. Like when Curl took away tight end Zach Ertz on this play against the Arizona Cardinals from way back in Week 1, highlighted by Burgundy Zone creator The Podfather.

Retaining Curl will be costly. The tag for safeties will set the Commanders back $17.22 million, according to Over the Cap.

It's a price worth paying to keep one of the few obvious building blocks at Quinn's disposal. Losing core talent has become a damaging habit for the Commanders in recent years. A habit Peters must snap in a hurry, starting with Curl.