Commanders should keep these free agents on their radar in Week 2

The Washington Commanders' watchlist for free agency ahead of Week 2 is all about one thing. Adding some power to both sides of the trenches.

Power was in precious short supply during Week 1's lopsided 37-20 defeat at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fortunately, the problem can be solved by two Super Bowl-winning linemen who remain on the veteran market.

Lawrence Guy is a run-stuffer the Commanders lack upfront

A defensive line with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne along the interior should never be soft against the run. Yet, that's exactly what the Commanders were against the Buccaneers, allowing 112 rushing yards on 30 carries en route to a disappointing loss.

Those numbers don't look terrible, but the more damning statistic concerns Tampa Bay amassing 58 of those yards before contact. Too often, running backs weren't contacted until they had reached the second and third levels of Washington's defense. That is a big problem.

A more active run-stuffer up front, like Lawrence Guy, would solve the problem. He's made a career out of occupying double teams, clogging rushing lanes, and stuffing running plays at source.

Those qualities helped Guy win a Super Bowl with the 2018 New England Patriots. The 34-year-old was still disrupting things on the ground last season. He might not be able to unseat Allen or Payne, but he's a better run defender than Phidarian Mathis by a considerable margin.

Guy, who can play over the ball, head-up against offensive tackles, or shaded in front of guards, would fill a niche role for the Commanders. He'd be the one-dimensional but valuable powerhouse John Ridgeway III was before he was traded to the New Orleans Saints.

There's room for Guy, but the Commanders also need an offensive tackle with title-winning experience.

Donovan Smith can be an asset for Jayden Daniels

Expecting Jayden Daniels to run less and stay in the pocket is unrealistic until he gets better protection. It's something Donovan Smith would provide based on his pedigree of protecting the blindside for Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes during Super Bowl victories with the Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.

Smith's a physical presence who will get handsy on the edge, but he's also capable of dominance and versatile enough to play both tackle spots. That last point is a massive bonus since the Commanders have issues at left and right tackle.

Andrew Wylie remains the starter on the right, but he continues to surrender pressure too easily. This was evident all too often against Tampa Bay, which is not the start he envisaged following a rollercoaster first season with the franchise.

Smith is stouter in protection than Wylie, but he also offers an obvious upgrade over Cornelius Lucas on the left side. He was beaten for a sack but performed adequately in Week 1. However, the flashes demonstrated by rookie third-rounder Brandon Coleman could see him start this weekend against the New York Giants.

Bringing Smith on board would add some stability and credibility to an evolving line that still faces an uphill battle to be significantly better than the group that allowed 65 sacks a season ago.

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