Adam Peters will never stop looking for ways to improve the roster. The Washington Commanders have been incredibly active over the offseason so far. And even with the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the general manager is not letting that stop him from filling holes.
Following a successful visit, the Commanders have now made their 14th new signing.
According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the Commanders are signing veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to a one-year deal. Washington brought him in for a visit, which likely involved a workout, medical tests, and a conversation about his potential role. Peters and others in positions of power must have been suitably impressed, getting a deal done quickly to seal the deal.
Commanders get another solid insurance policy in Ahkello Witherspoon
Witherspoon is no stranger to Peters. He was in the San Francisco 49ers front office when the NFC West club spent a third-round pick on the defensive back in 2017. The Commanders are adding someone with the size and length to potentially impact the rotation. On his best day, the Colorado product is a solid player, but his concerning injury history will be closely watched by fans.
There is no doubt Witherspoon could have been so much more had health problems not dented his progress. He's played just one full season in 2023, and he's missed considerable time in almost every other campaign. That's a worry, especially given how many injury problems the Commanders were forced to cope with last time around.
This won't stop the Commanders from taking someone like LSU prospect Mansoor Delane at No. 7 overall if they wish. With only Mike Sainristil, Trey Amos, and Amik Robertson guaranteed to be on the roster before Witherspoon's arrival, this might be nothing more than an insurance policy to provide extra competition for places. And who knows, he might be able to log meaningful reps with a little bit of better luck along the way.
The Commanders are giving him a chance, but there are no guarantees attached whatsoever. Witherspoon still has to earn his spot. His highs are high, but the player is not getting any younger. It's probably not costing Peters much to find out for sure, and this adds to the team's flexibility when the draft rolls around.
Nobody should be expecting Pro Bowl-caliber production from Witherspoon. But if he can cement his spot on the rotation and provide a sense of physical coverage that was sorely lacking, that could be all that the Commanders are looking for.