Adam Peters absolutely CRUSHED free agency leaving very few needs heading into April’s draft

· Yahoo Sports

Commanders’ general manager Adam Peters absolutely knocked the ball out of the park during the first week of free agency, setting Washington up with very few needs heading into the draft this April. Peters’ 2026 free agent acquisitions were in stark contrast to his first two seasons in D.C. where he handed out very few three-/four-year deals and signed a lot of veteran players who were at, or over, 30 years old.

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of the signings, I first can’t state enough how critically important it was for Washington to have a transforming offseason. This roster, as it stood heading into the new league year, was one of the oldest and slowest in the entire league. By adding the pieces he did, combining both an infusion of youth and athleticism, Adam has once again restored hope to this fanbase.

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Fillings Needs:

Adam did an incredible job addressing Washington’s many needs and filling them with young, impact free agents on deals that made sense for the future of the organization.

  • Odafe Oweh (27) EDGE: 4 yrs/$100M
    • The former first-round pick out of Penn State is coming off 7.5 sacks in just 12 games (2 starts) with the Chargers after he was traded there by Baltimore early in the 2025 season. He profiles best as a stand-up EDGE where he can use his incredible burst and secondary moves to disrupt the passer. At age 27, he’s in his prime and his best days could be ahead of him after he got off to a relatively slow start during his first three seasons with the Ravens.
  • Chig Okonkwo (26) TE: 3yrs/30M
    • The 6’3” 238-pound former Terrapin joins Washington as one of the best, young MOVE tight ends in the league. He has not missed a game during his first four years in the league (all with the Titans), and despite inconsistent (and sometimes downright BAD quarterback play), he amassed 194 total receptions for 2017 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s not a good in-line blocker but Washington has that already in John Bates, so Chig will be used from the slot to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties with his 4.5 speed and exceptional RAC ability.
  • Leo Chenal (25) LB: 3yrs/24.75M
    • Washington desperately needed an upgrade at linebacker and they got just that with the 25-year-old Chenal. The 6’3” 250 pounder plays like a throwback linebacker from the 1990’s but has the athleticism of today’s NFL centerpiece. He never saw more than a 60% snap share in Kansas City and he wasn’t known for his coverage, but there is no better in the game today at stacking and shedding blocks at the point of attack, and he’s excelled as a blitzer – something Daronte Jones likes from his off-the-ball linebackers. I do think Chenal can be effective as a three-down linebacker if he’s not asked to do too much in coverage, however he’s shown good improvement since his rookie year in zone drops and spying running backs out of the backfield. He’s another player who hasn’t even touched his immense potential.
  • Tim Settle (28) DT: 3yrs/24M
    • Settle joins Washington for his second stent after being drafted by the team in the 5th round in 2018. He’s been listed anywhere between 308-323 and can play as a 0, 1, 3 or 4i technique. It feels like he’s been in the league forever, but he’ll only be 29 in July. He looks to be Washington’s primary nose tackle when Jones uses one but can play up and down the defensive line.
  • Amik Robertson (27) CB: 2yrs/16M
    • Robertson brings both grit and experience to Washington’s back end. Despite his 5’9” 187-pound frame, “Mik” is a dog who has inside/outside versatility and will give Jones a much-needed chess-piece to move around his secondary. He’s coming off a bit of a down year which saw him allow career highs in yards allowed and touchdowns, but he’s still very much in his prime and should be a vital piece to this revamped secondary.
  • Nick Cross (24) S: 2yrs/14M
    • Cross is an intriguing safety prospect who excels near the box as a run defender but has the speed (4.34 40) and athleticism to be an impact player all over the back-end. At 6’0” 212, the Bowie, MD native who grew up a Redskins fan, has started all 17 games the past two seasons in Indy and has eclipsed 120 total tackles both years, recording a career best 146 tackles (six for a loss), three interceptions and a sack in 2024. His best football lies ahead of him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he puts together a Pro Bowl-type season in 2026.
Adding Depth (one-year deals):
  • K’Lavon Chaisson (26) EDGE: 1yr/11M+ incentives
    • Chaisson is a bit different than the others on this list. Although he signed a one-year contract, he’s getting paid like a starter and may indeed be one depending on what Washington does in the draft and how Armstrong’s knee is progressing.
  • Charles Omenihu (28) DL: 1yr/4M+incentives
  • Dyami Brown (26) WR: 1yr/3M
  • Rachaad White (27) RB: 1yr/2M+incentives
  • Jerome Ford (26) RB
  • Van Jefferson (29) WR
Re-signing Vets:
  • Marcus Mariota
  • Chris Paul
  • Treylon Burks
  • Deatrich Wise
  • Andrew Wylie
  • Drake Jackson
  • Trent Scott
  • Shy Tuttle
  • Tress Way
  • Jake Moody

Because of the amazing work Peters did in free agency, Washington can now head into the NFL Draft with much less holes to fill, leaving their pick at number seven open to many different options.

Could still use an upgrade at pick #7:

WR: Despite adding Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson, the Commanders are still without a number two to compliment Terry McLaurin. It’s been widely speculated for quite some time that Brandon Aikuk will be joining the team once released by the 49ers, but John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are being petty and supposedly are in no hurry to release him – instead holding out for a late-round draft pick (which will never come).

  • Draft Options:
    • Jordan Tyson 6’2” 203 Arizona St.
    • Carnell Tate 6’2” 192 Ohio St.
    • Makai Lemon 5’11” 192 USC

EDGE: Washington added Oweh on a four-year deal, but the rest of their free agent moves at the position were just one-year deals. Veteran Dorance Armstrong is entering the final year of his three-year contract he signed in 2024, and there are question marks surrounding his knee.

  • Draft Options:
    • David Bailey 6’3” 251 Texas Tech
    • Arvell Reese 6’4” 241 Ohio St.

CB: Second-year corner Trey Amos looks to be Washington’s top man, but there remain question marks around Mike Sainristil and his ability to be effective on the outside. Peters didn’t make any big swings in free agency, so there could be room for a top corner to be added in the draft.

  • Draft Options:
    • Mansoor Delane 5’11 3/4 187 LSU

RB: Bill Croskey-Merritt appears to be RB1, with White and Ford as reserves, however, if the right opportunity presents itself for the Commanders to upgrade the position, there is not a back on the roster that should prevent them from doing s0.

  • Draft Options:
    • Jeremiyah Love 6’0” 212 Notre Dame

S: Nick Cross was a great young signing, but veteran Will Harris, who turned 30 in December, is entering the last year of his contract, and Quan Martin was benched late last season for poor play.

  • Draft Options:
    • Caleb Downs 5’11 5/8” 206 Ohio St.

LB: Washington has some nice young options on this team with Chenal, Magee, Medrano and Kaho, and still has one more year with Frankie Luvu under contract. That doesn’t mean they could look for another piece come April.

  • Draft Options:
    • Sonny Styles 6’5” 243 Ohio St.

Being that most of the glaring holes on this team have been filled with young, ascending talent via free agency, Washington will have the opportunity to sit back and watch the first six picks play out without panicking. If the right player falls to them at pick number seven, they can pull the trigger. If a great trade-back opportunity presents itself, they could drop back a few spots and see if they can recoup the second rounder they gave up in the Laremy Tunsil trade.

Whatever the decision is in round one, Adam Peters has done a heck of job so far this offseason setting his team up for future success, and unlike his past two offseasons, this one really has the potential to be special.

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