7 potential cut candidates the Commanders should monitor in 2024
By Dean Jones
Adam Peters has done an outstanding job of revitalizing the Washington Commanders roster in a relatively short space of time. The general manager came into the franchise with a clear vision that aligned with Josh Harris' ownership group. He's put this into action quickly and left no stone unturned in pursuit of improvements.
It's a tremendous start, there's no denying that. Peters added a much-needed sense of professionalism and collaboration to the Commanders' decision-making process. Everyone around the league is starting to look at this operation differently, which was always going to be a primary objective throughout his first offseason at the helm.
There is a lot more to do before the Commanders can feel confident about their chances of genuine progress. Fortunately for Peters, the Commanders are No.2 on the waiver priority list and have plenty of spare cash remaining to tempt any veterans who are outright released as the summer goes on.
With this in mind, here are seven potential cut candidates around the league that the Commanders should monitor closely before their Week 1 showdown at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Commanders should monitor Brandin Cooks
The Washington Commanders brought in third-round pick Luke McCaffrey to the wide receiver room. But aside from Olamide Zaccheaus signing a one-year deal in free agency, no other new faces arrived despite the resources at Adam Peters' disposal. There is still time for that to change, but the front office leader and head coach Dan Quinn want to assess those around before deciding on any further action.
It seems like a long shot, but Brandin Cooks is someone who could be on the chopping block if the Dallas Cowboys need to free up money to extend their top stars such as Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb. Quinn will know plenty about his capabilities having gone up against the veteran in practice last season, so the Commanders might swoop if he gets the coach's seal of approval.
Much will depend on what the Cowboys think of their young wideouts behind Cooks. However, the $8 million in savings attached to a post-June 1 release could be tempting for a team that appears to be at a crossroads right now.