5 free-agent linebackers for the Commanders to consider in 2023
By Jonathan Eig
Commanders should consider Deion Jones
Deion Jones is far and away the most accomplished player on this list. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year back in 2016 and has played in the Pro Bowl. Back then, his dynamic speed allowed him to thrive playing inside in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive sets.
That changed after the 2020 season when age, injury and dissatisfaction with a new defensive scheme wrecked the relationship between Jones and the Atlanta Falcons in surprisingly short order. He needed shoulder surgery in the summer of 2022 and then reinjured it before the season, which effectively completed his removal from the team's plans.
When he was cleared to play, Jones was traded to the Cleveland Browns in a low-level deal. He had an undistinguished stint up north for the final weeks of the 2022 season.
It’s hard to envision Jones ever regaining his form from 2017, but he is still just 28 years old. The Washington Commanders got some mileage out of Jon Bostic in a similar situation, and one could argue the current free-agent is better.
Out of all the linebackers still available, Jones is the one I would most trust to actually step into a starting role should either Jamin Davis or Cody Barton go down with anything significant.