The 2021 Season of the Commanders was a real disappointment after a 2020 where they had left a good taste in the mouth. To try to remedy the narrative, towards the next campaign they have already made their first major modification by acquiring QB Carson Wentz, from Indianapolis, however, it is not the only change that they will require during the free agency period if they intend to aspire to fight for the SB LVII. Here’s what you need to know about Washington ahead of NFL 2022 Free Agency.
Space against team salary cap
Technically, it could be said that Washington is in a prime position to cut ground within the NFC. Via Over The Cap, the Commanders will have $5,844,695 in cap space available heading into 2022, sixth-best in the NFC. However, it is undeniable that the amount represents little room for maneuver, so the time has come for the team to restructure contracts if they consider acquiring renowned players to reinforce the roster.
Top Commanders Free Agents
- OG Brandon Scherff
- WR Adam Humphries
- RB JD McKissic
- QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
- LB Jon Bostic
Washington is in great shape heading into free agency, as its big names are under contract for at least the 2022 season. The one exception is Brandon Scherff, an elite offensive tackle who has played under the tag the past two seasons. franchise player. Both sides have previously tried to reach a multi-year extension where there was even talk of making Scherff the highest paid in his position, however no deal has been sealed and they now risk losing it.
For his part, Adam Humphries will also play the open market and may not return. Last season he received for 383 total yards, third-most on the team, yet he went scoreless for the first time in his seven years as a pro. With Terry McLaurin established as WR1, and a Curtis Samuel expected to come out of his injury woes, Humphries seems to have no more place in this organization.
JD McKissic is the most noisy offensive backup. With a total of 609 yards from the line of scrimmage, last season he established himself as a great RB2 behind Anthony Gibson, and he stood out specifically for his great ability to receive the ball. At the right price he could return, but the market for him could be bigger than Washington would be willing to pay to keep him.
Meanwhile, the departure of veteran and fan favorite Ryan Fitzpatrick, who suffered a serious hip injury just in Week 1 last year, seems like a done deal following the acquisition of Carson Wentz and the presence on the roster. Still from Taylor Heinicke. Everything points to Fitzpatrick looking to play next season on his 10th professional team.
On the other hand, in the defensive area, the only worrying exit would be that of Jon Bostic, who started in 31 games between 2019 and 2020, exceeding 100 tackles in both campaigns. However, injury limited him to just four games last year, and unless he decides to return at a cheap price, his future could lie with another organization to show he can return to his level. .
Players who could be traded or cut
Parentheses indicate how much cap space the team would save
- OG Wes Schweitzer ($4.82 million)
- DT Matt Ioannidis ($6.88 million)
- S Deshazor Everett ($2 million)
Schweitzer, 28, is a quality offensive lineman. The problem is that last season he only started five games because Washington has great depth in this unit. If Brandon Scherff returns to the organization, they’ll likely cut Schweitzer to save $4.82 million on salary cap against just $1 million in dead money. Otherwise, Schweitzer would be destined for a much bigger role with the team next season.
Additionally, Matt Ioannidis’s would also be an understandable loss. Although the previous season saw play as edge and inside, he only had action in 59% of snap defensive backs in a season in which Chase Young and Montez Sweat both missed significant time as a result of various injuries. Forgoing Ioannidis would free up $6.88 million in cap space, and there’s no reason to expect they’d shed a vital defensive piece.
Finally, freeing Deshazor Everett seems to be a sung move and there are two reasons for it. From a football standpoint, the 29-year-old veteran has only participated in 18.4% of snap team defenders over the last four seasons. From the legal issue, Everett was charged with involuntary manslaughter in early February after being involved in a car accident that left a deceased person. In Washington, they can use whatever reason they see fit to release $2 million in space cap.
Free agents that make sense for Commanders
- W.R. Byron Pringle
- OG Andrew Norwell
- LB Jordan Hicks
Terry McLaurin and Adam Humphries were the entire passing offense from wide receivers that the Commanders had last season. Humphries hits free agency next week, and with Curtis Samuel coming in fresh from a serious groin injury, the team needs a guarantee at the position. The Chiefs’ Byron Pringle, who last season had 42 receptions for 568 yards and 5 TDs, would be the right answer.
Another addition that would come in handy and is synonymous with stability would be Andrew Norwell of the Jaguars. His acquisition would be a consequence only of an eventual departure of Brandon Scherff, and although comparing them directly Norwell is not at the same level, during his eight seasons in the NFL he has played a total of 112 games, starting in all but one, proving to be reliable and also positioning himself as one of the best pass hitters in the game.
Lastly, the linebacking unit also has problems, and one of the best solutions currently available on the market is the Cardinals’ Jordan Hicks. An inside linebacker, Hicks spent his last three seasons in Arizona recording 115+ tackles in each and being synonymous with consistency by starting all 49 possible games. Hicks, along with recently released Bobby Wagner, are names at the position that Washington should seriously consider.
Major needs of the Commanders in the 2022 NFL Free Agency
- wide receiver
- Secondary
- linebacker
The receiving corps isn’t just in jeopardy over the possible departure of Adam Humphries. Next week Cam Sims and DeAndre Carter will also become unrestricted free agents. Sims and Carter are nothing more than rotation, however, it is a role that must be filled and for that reason it is urgent that this position be reinforced if the Commanders intend that Carson Wentz, or even Taylor Heinicke, can lead them at least to the postseason.
In the secondary, the clear leaders are CBs William Jackson III and Kendall Fuller, who luckily for the team are still under contract. However, the rotation could be eroded: S Bobby McCain and CBs Darryl Roberts, Torry McTyer and Corn Elder will become free agents. In addition to this, they recently released the S Landon Collins due to issues of salary cap. The move made, plus the games to come, will leave a greatly diminished perimeter in Washington.
The linebacker position is a sad surprise on this list considering the organization used its 2021 first-round draft pick in Jamin Davis, yet the Kentucky outfielder only participated in 56% of the games. snap defensive last season. Additionally, the Commanders drafted Davis with the idea of him covering the inside of the zone, but he was quickly moved to the outside because of his better performance. So, once again, Washington is in need of a middle linebacker.
This is how the Commanders arrive at the 2022 NFL Free Agency. How do you think they will face this offseason? We read you in the comments below this article and on our social networks.
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This is how the Commanders arrive at the NFL 2022 Free Agency