Ranking the nine best signings from a dramatic free-agency period for the Washington Commanders under general manager Adam Peters.
All eyes were on the Washington Commanders as the clock ticked down towards the legal tampering period. Adam Peters was armed with the league's most salary-cap space and a bounty of draft assets to further sweeten the pot. It came as no surprise to see the team's new general manager become incredibly active as a result.
Peters brought in a plethora of fresh faces on deals that don't jeopardize Washington's future financial flexibility. The front-office leader installed a level of professionalism and purpose seldom seen during the Dan Snyder years. With nine draft selections to fill remaining needs, things are looking up at long last.
It's been almost impossible to keep up with all the transactions. We took a look and ranked the nine best, basing the criteria on positional importance, the cost involved, and what impact they could make for the Commanders in 2024 with new head coach Dan Quinn leading the charge.
Let's get to it…
9. Michael Davis - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders needed to find another veteran cornerback after letting Kendal Fuller walk for the Miami Dolphins in free agency. Those in power settled on Michael Davis, who brings plenty of starting experience from his time with the Los Angeles Chargers and could potentially be a short-term stopgap solution for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive scheme.
Davis might not be a world-beater these days, but he's solid enough. Tasking him with prominent starting responsibilities might be a stretch, but there remains hope that Benjamin St-Juste, Quan Martin, and former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes can make strides under the exceptional guidance of Quinn and Whitt.
If Davis can become a rotational piece capable of stepping in at a moment's notice to make plays, that'll be enough. That said, the Commanders should still look towards the 2024 NFL Draft for another capable coverage presence to improve their chances of defensive growth.
8. Anthony Pittman - Commanders LB/ST
It's not just the offense and defense that got attention from the Washington Commanders in free agency. Once the primary targets were secured with supreme conviction, general manager Adam Peters turned to solidifying the special teams unit - something that will also play an integral role in whatever success comes the team's way next season.
Anthony Pittman was a high-priority target. He jumped at the chance to test his skills in a different environment. This also came with Lance Newmark's seal of approval, the Commanders' new assistant general manager who saw first-hand what the player could do during their time together on the Detroit Lions.
Pittman might not feature much on the linebacking rotation unless some significant injury complications arise. But his role as a core special teams force could make a huge impact alongside All-Pro Jeremy Reaves, who is back on a two-year deal and is raring to go. Considering the Commanders are hoping to be involved in more close games next season, these fine margins could be the difference between success and failure.
7. Nick Allegretti - Commanders OL
Nick Allegretti spent most of last season as a backup on the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line interior. As luck would have it, the passionate player got a chance to showcase what he could potentially do from a starting role during a critical stage of their Super Bowl title defense.
Allegretti was thrust into the limelight for the AFC Championship game thanks to Joe Thuney's injury. To say he made the most of extended reps would be an understatement, providing assured blocking during Kansas City's final two games as they went on to hoist another Vince Lombardi trophy.
This didn't go unnoticed by the Commanders, who signed Allegretti to a three-year deal in free agency. If the former seventh-round pick out of Illinois can build on this newfound momentum and win the starting left guard job outright, the odds of him providing an upgrade in production are high based on how things unfolded during the previous campaign.
6. Jeremy Chinn - Commanders LB/S
Kamren Curl didn't get offered a new deal by the Washington Commanders. This was something of a surprise, but those in power felt Jeremy Chinn's athletic attributes would be a better fit within Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s new defensive system.
Chinn's arrival comes with plenty of intrigue. The do-it-all defensive playmaker took the league by storm in 2020, but the Carolina Panthers switched him back to the safety position from an outside linebacker the following year. This diminished his overall impact and exposed weakness in coverage.
Things got even worse for Chinn last season. Ejiro Evero reduced the former second-round selection to a backup in his 3-4 base scheme. This was frustrating from Chinn's perspective, who made no secret of his desire for a fresh start once his contract expired.
This sort of versatility and instinctive play is something Quinn knows how to utilize effectively. Hopefully, Chinn's one-year deal can emerge into a longer-term arrangement if he hits the ground running.
5. Tyler Biadasz - Commanders C
The Nick Gates experiment quickly became an unmitigated disaster and he was released after just one season. Considering Ricky Stromberg remains an unknown quantity after being seldom seen as a rookie, targeting a plug-and-play starter at the center position represented a huge need for the Commanders once the free-agent frenzy commenced.
Quinn turned to someone he knows well, signing Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $29.25 million deal. The pair built a working relationship during their time on the Dallas Cowboys and based on previous production, this represents an immediate upgrade on anything the Commanders churned out in 2023.
Biadasz played 1,028 snaps on offense for the Cowboys last season, giving up three sacks and conceding three penalties en route to a creditable 68.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. If the former fourth-round selection out of Wisconsin performs up to the same level or perhaps even raises his game further, this will be money well spent from Washington's perspective.
4. Austin Ekeler - Commanders RB
Instead of resting on their laurels at the running back position, the Washington Commanders took advantage of a strong free-agent class by acquiring Austin Ekeler. The dual-threat force signed a two-year deal that looks like a potential bargain if he brings his Los Angeles Chargers form - albeit in a reduced role - to the nation's capital.
Ekeler is not going to be a workhorse at this stage of his prolific career. Thanks to the presence of Brian Robinson Jr. - who enjoyed a sensational second campaign in the pros - the Commanders don't need him to be. Assisting as a pass-catcher out of the backfield and forming a productive tandem with the Alabama product is the primary goal. One that looks more than capable of being successfully attained.
The veteran's on-field vision and red-zone efficiency remain despite his advancing years. This is going to make life easier for Washington's new rookie quarterback, whoever that might be from No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
3. Bobby Wagner - Commanders LB
Bobby Wagner joining the Commanders represented a major statement of intent. One that completely legitimized their plans for progress under the power couple of Adam Peters and Dan Quinn. He might not be the force of old, but the linebacker remains highly productive and should be a significant asset both on and off the field.
Wagner is a six-time All-Pro and future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. More importantly, his 183 tackles for the Seattle Seahawks last season indicate there is still plenty of good football left in the tank. Something the Commanders will need at the defensive second level, which steadily regressed during Ron Rivera's four-year tenure.
While there are some concerns about Wagner's coverage capabilities, his instinctive run-stopping and exceptional communication pre-snap can be extremely helpful. He also knows Quinn well, so the transition should go smoothly.
The Commanders will also use Wagner as a supreme leader to guide those around him through the good times and bad. Providing he doesn't fall off the proverbial cliff and avoids Father Time for another season, this is a home-run signing.
2. Dorance Armstrong - Commanders DE
Trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young meant the Washington Commanders were desperately seeking pass-rushing assistance this offseason. Once Dan Quinn became head coach, it didn't take long for people to link Dorance Armstrong with a move to DC.
Armstrong was one of the first signings made by the Commanders in free agency. He played the best football of his career under Quinn and should easily be able to fill a starting spot having worked within his expansive scheme previously.
The player got lost behind more star-studded performers such as Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence with the Dallas Cowboys, but his contribution was highly encouraging. Armstrong has enough explosiveness to cause consistent havoc in opposing backfields. He's also adept at setting the edge against the run, which is another overlooked area the Commanders needed to enhance.
If Armstrong takes advantage of being a featured member of Washington's defense under coaches he's already familiar with, it would be a shock if he fell flat on his face.
1. Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
Of all the signings made by the Commanders throughout one of the more dramatic free-agent periods in franchise history, none might be more impactful than Frankie Luvu. The ferocious linebacker was a standout performer for the Carolina Panthers over the last two seasons. Despite his previous employers making him an offer to stay, the chance to become part of Quinn's defensive system proved too tempting to ignore.
Luvu brings the fire on every down. His enthusiasm is infectious and he's got one of the highest motors you'll ever see. This is backed up by exceptional production and instinctive capabilities to come up big in critical moments.
The former undrafted free agent out of Washington State is a sideline-to-sideline force with explosiveness and physicality in equal measure. Luvu is the complete package - he's dominant against the run, can rush the passer when required, and is also improving in coverage to further enhance his influence.
If Luvu brings the same passion and consistency to Washington, he'll become the beating heart of Quinn's defense from the moment he steps onto the field.