7 enticing free agents with connections to Commanders coaching staff
By Dean Jones
Commanders could sign Denzel Perryman
Convincing Anthony Lynn to join his ambitious project was a major coup for head coach Dan Quinn. The respected figure left the NFC Conference champion San Francisco 49ers to join the Washington Commanders. This provides the franchise with a former head coach and renowned talent developer to call upon throughout the critical upcoming transition.
Lynn could also have helpful insight into some decent-looing free agents he's worked with previously. Considering the need for Washington to solidify their linebacking corps, veteran Denzel Perryman might enter the team's train of thought.
Perryman is a passionate player and a hard hitter. The former second-round pick earned Pro Bowl honors with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 after gaining 154 tackles. He spent last season on the Houston Texans, helping DeMeco Ryans' squad reach the postseason in his first campaign as head coach.
One area where Perryman thrives is against the run. He's a sideline-to-sideline force with exceptional pre-snap instincts and the explosiveness to reach the contact point quickly. The Miami college product is also an assured tackler, which is something the Commanders have lacked consistently from their defensive second-level interior in recent years.
Acquiring someone like Perryman provides a short-term upgrade to a long-term problem. It would also potentially allow Jamin Davis to become an edge weapon in Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive system.