Which Washington Commanders news stories are hitting the headlines following a frantic first wave of 2024 free agency for the franchise?
Nobody expected the Washington Commanders to sit on their hands during free agency. Adam Peters was loaded with $96 million in salary-cap space and several significant holes on the roster. The new general manager got straight down to business thanks to a flurry of signings that caught the eye of everyone around the league.
It wasn't reckless spending by any stretch of the imagination. Peters was organized with his acquisitions and acted with supreme conviction. He found the right characters - some with previous connections to the coaching staff. More importantly, he kept financial flexibility for additional moves throughout the offseason and the future.
This has only raised hope about what the Commanders could accomplish with Peters leading the charge. There is more to do, but the front-office leader is off to a tremendous start.
Of course, the headlines have been plentiful along the way. The stories accumulating column inches include how Washington's early free agency is being perceived, focusing on Jayden Daniels, Bobby Wagner's ambition, and an offensive tackle target emerging.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Commanders to host Jordan Morgan
All signs point to the Washington Commanders finding their franchise left tackle via the draft based on their free agency moves up to now. Adam Peters has six selections in the top 100 - more than any franchise. Building through the draft is also high on his list of priorities, so a blindside enforcer could be their second move once a quarterback is chosen at No. 2 overall.
According to Ryan Fowler from The Draft Network, the Commanders plan to host Jordan Morgan for one of the top 30 visits. This suggests they are at least intrigued by the offensive tackle prospect within a deep draft class. Another matter is whether he'll be around when Washington goes on the clock in Round No. 2.
Bobby Wagner's motivation
The biggest name to arrive during a frenzied free agency period for the Washington Commanders so far is Bobby Wagner. Despite being in the twilight of his Pro Football Hall of Fame career, he remains highly productive. Convincing him to join this ambitious project represented a statement of intent from the new power couple of Adam Peters and Dan Quinn.
Wagner's previous connection to Quinn and Ken Norton Jr. from their time together with the Seattle Seahawks was a big tipping point behind taking the plunge. While the legs might be failing him from a coverage standpoint on occasion, his impact against the run, exceptional leadership, and cerebral approach should be a huge upgrade on anything Washington trotted out at the defensive second level in 2023.
When speaking about his ambitions in a different environment around some familiar faces, Wagner stated that watching LeBron James keep going despite achieving everything he wanted and more is motivation enough based on comments via FOX Sports. Something that can hopefully rub off on his new Commanders teammates before and during the season.
"What keeps me motivated is just wanting to be great and wanting to do it for a long time. Watching guys like LeBron [James] and people that's been able to do it at a high level for a long time, I think that's what keeps me going."Bobby Wagner via FOX Sports
Wagner's influence on and off the field will be felt in no uncertain terms. He's got high standards, commands immediate respect, and boasts the ability to make everyone around him better. This was a home-run hit by the Commanders in every sense of the term.
Commanders free agency moves lauded
Adam Peters isn't messing around. He comes over as personable with a million-dollar smile, but there is a ruthlessness to his roster-building approach that the Washington Commanders have desperately lacked for years. This was reflected throughout an eventful first wave of free agency for the organization.
Peters trimmed the fat, let some established stars leave, and brought in a plethora of new arrivals into the building without jeopardizing the Commanders' future financial prospects. After so much mismanagement throughout Dan Snyder's ownership, it's been a breath of fresh air.
Brad Spielberger from Pro Football Focus was among those impressed by Peters' acquisitions and the way he's gone about his business. The writer gave the Commanders an A grade for their offseason maneuvers so far, highlighting the balance between offense and defense as a primary reason behind the ever-increasing optimism.
"[Dorance] Armstrong is a proven perfect fit with new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, who immediately helped him take his game to new heights upon arriving in Dallas three years ago. Washington could still stand to make another move at edge rusher, with Armstrong more a rotational piece than a top guy, but linebacker Frankie Luvu also adds another pass rush element. The Washington Commanders join the New England Patriots as a team picking in the top three of the draft that probably doesn’t want a young player backing up a top draft pick, with Jacoby Brissett and Mariota now serving as bridges to the future. [Marcus] Mariota was the No. 2 overall pick back in 2015 and can now mentor the No. 2 pick in 2024. In addition, his athleticism and mobility, paired with a big arm, is the profile of quarterback Kliff Kingsbury likes to work with."Brad Spielberger, PFF
Peters will know better than anybody that much more is needed to get the Commanders where he wants them to be. This is just the start of his grand plan for sustained growth, but as first impressions go, things couldn't be going much better.
Commanders focused on Jayden Daniels?
After the Washington Commanders signed veteran Marcus Mariota and traded Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks, it confirmed what many have predicted for months. Adam Peters and his team will be selecting a quarterback at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Which one the general manager will bring to the organization remains to be seen.
Drake Maye is the favorite of many thanks to his high ceiling, although expecting him to start right away might be pushing things. There is also growing momentum around LSU prospect Jayden Daniels thanks to his scheme fit within Kliff Kingsbury's system and the signal-caller's Heisman Trophy-winning campaign in 2023.
Daniels is now the leading contender according to sportsbooks to be the Commanders' next franchise quarterback. Mike Fisher from Sports Illustrated stated that Washington could also be honing in on the dual-threat weapon, although nothing has been confirmed one way or another as yet.
"We keep hearing that the Washington Commanders, valuing "mobility'' among other things in a modern-day QB, are "focusing'' on LSU star Jayden Smith with the No. 2 pick in the April NFL Draft. And as it happens, that matches the view of our friend Benjamin Allbright, the Denver-based NFL analyst who over the years has a very good track record when predicting how the early picks in a draft will unfold. Allbright has the Commanders selecting LSU star Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick. … and in the wake of Washington's trade-away of Sam Howell to the Seahawks, that fits what we're hearing."Mike Fisher, Sports Illustrated
This decision will be franchise-altering for good or bad. But unlike previous moves at football's most pivotal position, fans can relax safe in the knowledge Peters is a shrewd talent evaluator with proven credentials.