5 free agents the Commanders must target after 2024 minicamp

Commanders should consider signing Patrick Peterson

Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. need an obvious candidate to man the slot. Perhaps it's Quan Martin, but the second-year pro looks a better fit at safety, particularly as a coverage complement to thumpers like Jeremy Chinn and Darrick Forrest.

Maybe second-round pick Mike Sainristil will fill the void inside after doing the same for Michigan's national title-caliber defense last season. The rookie looked more than competent at camp, but the Washington Commanders would be wise to recruit some veteran insurance, and there's none better than Patrick Peterson.

The eight-time Pro Bowler was once a true shutdown cover man on the perimeter, but Peterson reinvented himself with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. His metamorphosis involved matching up with slot receivers.

No. 20 put some outstanding examples of the art form on tape. Including this one highlighted by Touchdown Wire's Doug Farrar.

Peterson joining the Commanders to play the slot could free Sainristil to start outside. Perhaps ahead of 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr., who has continued to look overmatched physically.

Even if the light does go on for Forbes, this is a defense hardly overflowing with quality corners elsewhere on the depth chart. Noah Igbinoghene knows Quinn's defense from his time in Dallas, but he's not starter material. Christian Holmes still has a lot to prove.

Michael Davis was a feature for the Los Angeles Chargers, but he's more solid than dominant in any one area. Incumbent Benjamin St-Juste will ultimately need a competent partner. Peterson fits the bill, or else he's the savvy pro who can make nickel packages work.

In front of the secondary, there's room for an edge-rusher who once made stripping the ball from quarterbacks a speciality.