5 big free-agent splashes the Commanders can still make in 2024
By Dean Jones
Commanders could sign Tyron Smith
The Washington Commanders fortified their interior offensive line over the first few days of free agency. Nick Allegretti has the opportunity to build on a promising end to a Super Bowl-winning campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs from a starting role. Dan Quinn also turned to someone he knows well - Tyler Biadasz - to become the team's starting center after Nick Gates' release.
While this is promising and could improve Washington's protection enormously, one glaring hole remains. The Commanders need to find a left tackle - someone capable of providing immediate assistance. This becomes their biggest need if general manager Adam Peters selects a signal-caller at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft as most anticipate.
Going down the draft route is something for the Commanders to ponder. This is a deep class for offensive linemen and it would be a surprise if Washington couldn't get a potential starter early on Day 2. If they want to examine veteran help, Tyron Smith remains a free agent and is well worth considering.
Smith might be firmly in his career twilight, but his production when healthy last season was outstanding. There are some injury concerns as age begins to catch up with him. Even so, this represents a nice short-term option that wouldn't prevent from the Commanders from drafting a talented prospect who could slot into the role in 2025 or maybe replace Andrew Wylie at right tackle immediately.
There's a good chance Smith could be waiting around for a contending team to come calling. But his previous connection to Quinn and other staff means this possibility cannot be ruled out completely.