The Washington Commanders continue to make waves in NFL free agency, with an additional big splash for Brandon Aiyuk heavily speculated. Before then, general manager Adam Peters brought in a pair of other wide receivers — including one familiar face.
Dyami Brown is back in Washington, and Van Jefferson Jr. is here too. Both were signed on cheap one-year deals, joining a receiving corps that consists of Terry McLaurin, Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane.
Of that group, McLaurin is the star, but the Commanders still don't have a legitimate No. 2 option. If Aiyuk or another big name, such as Jauan Jennings, is signed, someone will have to be pushed out.
It might be one of the two new arrivals when it's all said and done.
Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson could be on a collision course for the Commanders' final WR slot
Commanders fans will always remember Brown for his Linsanity-like power run during the 2024 playoffs, when he racked up 229 receiving yards in three games. But it's about the only time in his career he's ever been consistently productive. With the Jacksonville Jaguars last year, he caught only 20 passes.
Evidently, that stint reminded him he was always better off in Washington. Peters got him back for far less money than he'd have been worth to hang onto last year. Brown will now be on a flyer with no role guaranteed, especially if the Commanders aren't done adding weapons for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Jefferson, on the other hand, is a journeyman who has joined his fifth different team in the past four years. After a standout 2021 season with the Los Angeles Rams in which he had 802 receiving yards and six touchdowns, he's never eclipsed even half of that since. Last season, he was a depth piece on an awful Tennessee Titans team.
For both players, their opportunity in Washington could be their final chance to prolong their careers. It's hard to see the Commanders cutting any of the other receivers on their roster. Burks impressed in his brief audition last season. McCaffrey and Lane are both developing. The Virginia Tech product, in particular, is invaluable as a punt returner.
With the expectation that Washington brings in Aiyuk, and then the potential to add another new face in the NFL Draft, it seems inevitable that at least one of Brown and Jefferson won't make the cut.
They'll both be playing to keep their NFL dreams alive, and they'll be doing so against each other.