The Washington Commanders will have $11.9M added to their available cap space due to the post June 1st designation for Landon Collins’ release. That will give them a total of $19.2M of cap space, according to OverTheCap. That’s plenty of room to add a couple more pieces. For the first time in quite some time, the Commanders are set on offense, with clear starters and solid depth at every position. For the defense, however, depth is a massive issue. These are a few potential candidates that the Commanders could look to add to their defense.
PSA: I know a lot of you are focused on a Terry McLaurin extension. However, that deal will be an EXTENSION. Should Terry sign one, that money won’t kick in until next year in 2023.
OLB Anthony Barr
Anthony Barr is the first of a few linebackers that will be on this list. The former Vikings outside linebacker is surprisingly still on the market. Injuries are a concern and he is now on the wrong side of 30. However, Barr did post 72 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and five passes defended in only 11 games. Barr is an experienced four time Pro Bowler. The Commanders are currently very thin at the linebacker spot, both inside and outside. An experienced and still very talented Barr could be a nice add for this Washington Commanders defense.
DT Star Lotulelei
A similar concept here. The Commanders are thin at defensive tackle after releasing Tim Settle and Matt Ioannidis. They have their starters in Johnathan Allen and Daron Payne and what hopefully proves to be a solid rotational piece in second round rookie Phidarian Mathis. Even though Payne is in the final year of his rookie deal, he seems to be staying put for now, but things can change quickly. Star Lotulelei is a veteran that can still produce in a backup role. Lotulelei has also recently dealt with injuries, but given that his playing time would be limited here, there’s not a lot of risk in signing him. Then, of course, there’s the Carolina Connection. Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera seems to favor bringing aboard anyone that he worked with or coached during his time in Carolina. Lotulelei would fit scheme and need.
MLB Jon Bostic
Despite your feelings on him, Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio felt comfortable with Bostic playing Mike linebacker at the start of the 2021 season. It’s no secret that they need more from the position. The current plan is for Cole Holcomb to take over the Mike. However, there’s currently no backup plan. Washington’s 2021 first round pick Jamin Davis was underwhelming last year and did not show that he was ready to play in the middle. Bostic is someone that the coaching staff trusts and is a cheap, veteran backup plan if Holcomb were to get injured or prove to not be effective in his new role.
CB A.J. Bouye
A.J. Bouye has had a strange career. He had a few really strong seasons with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars and then he just kind of fell off. Wherever he signs next will be his fourth team in as many seasons. For the Commanders, there’s a ton of question marks at corner, especially concerning depth. Their fourth cornerback as of now is a toss up between a couple of undrafted guys in Danny Johnson and Corn Elder…not good. Adding Bouye would give Rivera and Del Rio some much needed depth behind William Jackson III and Kendall Fuller.
EDGE Ryan Kerrigan
So, you’re telling me there’s a chance? Well there certainly is if both parties are interested in reuniting. Some fans felt betrayed after Kerrigan signed with the rival Philadelphia Eagles. He did not play well in his one season there, only registering three tackles and no sacks. Needless to say, he was a nonfactor last season. However, that does not mean that his career is finished. Kerrigan could pick up where he left off in Washington, backing up starters Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Like every other position on this defense, there’s only questions behind the obvious starters. Kerrigan was a steady bright spot for this franchise when there wasn’t much else that was steady or positive. He leads the franchise in sacks and I’m sure many, if not all Washington Commanders fans would love to see him add to that total and see one of their favorites return for what could possibly be Kerrigan’s swan song season.
BUFFALO NICKEL Landon Collins
See what I did there? Yes, I think a reunion with Landon Collins is possible. Collins at least seems to want one, as he has mentioned so multiple times now on social media. Collins carved out a role here after being moved from safety to lineba- I mean buffalo nickel. He played quite well in that hybrid position and could continue to have success in that role should he return. It would be a great resigning for this defense and one that I believe is much needed. He would most likely need to put on 10-15 pounds so his body could withstand the punishment of playing closer to the line on a more consistent basis, but it’s doubtful that would take away much of his explosiveness. This defense lacks proven playmakers on the second and third levels and Collins has been just that.
MLB…Any of them
Take your pick; Danny Trevathan, A.J. Johnson, Kwon Alexander, Reggie Ragland, or previously Jon Bostic. Literally any of them. This defense NEEDS a backup plan for middle linebacker. The Commanders did not address the position in free agency or the draft. Rivera has recently been vocal about the need for another Mike linebacker and we could be seeing one signed very soon. At least, we hope to see one signed soon. As I’ve already detailed, there’s nothing behind Cole Holcomb. This team needs a veteran presence at Mike linebacker to at the very least help and push Holcomb.
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