With the next phase of the offseason officially here, we take a look at possible free agent targets for the Washington Commanders to know - and which players could impact the market for possible Washington targets.
The next phase of the offseason officially struck on Tuesday with the window for teams to franchise tag players now officially underway, set to run through 4 PM ET on March 3. While the free agent market is expected to have several marquee names at a handful of positions, how the next three weeks unfold could have a notable impact on available targets who fill needs and add much-needed firepower on both sides of the ball for the Washington Commanders.
For Washington? It's not as applicable of a question given the cap flexibility and long list of affordable free agents set to depart, though the bigger question will be whether the front office opts to be aggressive to re-sign starters like Deebo Samuel and Chris Paul.
For the rest of the NFL? What they decide to do will be the first domino for Washington, including arguably the most controversial of them all.
Running Backs: Travis Etienne Jr (Jacksonville), Breece Hall (New York Jets), Kenneth Walker (Seattle)
Maybe the most notable among the group is Walker, who is fresh off a Super Bowl MVP selection after finishing with 161 all-purpose yards on 29 touches while averaging five yards per carry. It's hard to imagine there will be another running back will command more than him this offseason, and it's hard to image the Seahawks are going to be willing to let him walk this offseason. General manager John Schneider joked about Walker's possible extension during the Super Bowl parade, though he's historically been opposed to applying the franchise tag. But the next month could paint a more clear picture as to how realistic a departure could really be.
Hall, however, is a much different story. After being vocal about his desire to be traded following the front office's decision to trade star cornerback Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis, Hall stayed with the Jets where he quietly eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, though he's notched 1,000 all-purpose yards in each of the last three seasons. The Jets have no playmakers outside of Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, but with the noise as loud as it has ever been about a divorce over the last year, ESPN pointed to the possibility of a transition tag, set to be $11.7 million. Etienne, meanwhile, saw his production tail off through the second half of the 2025 season despite finishing just shy of 1,400 scrimmage yards.
Wide Receiver: George Pickens (Dallas), Alec Pierce (Indianapolis), Wan'Dale Robinson (New York Giants)
Pickens is expected to be the top free agent wide receiver if he does hit the open market, but the biggest question is whether he will. Dallas has shown signs of wanting the former Steelers star back for a second season with consistent reporting that the franchise tag after finishing with a career-high 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 93 catches. If he returns as expected, that will inflate the market for the rest of the room.
Robinson, meanwhile, capitalized on a lost season with Malik Nabers sidelined after finishing with his first 1,000 yard season on 92 catches, one shy of matching his 2024 production. He'll have a chance to cash in as one of the top expected free agent wide receivers this offseason. Pierce may be the most intriguing of them all with the Colts also showing little signs of wanting to let him walk with both he and quarterback Daniel Jones pointed to as franchise tag candidates. It may slightly help Indianapolis' efforts that Alec's brother, Caden Pierce, is committed to play basketball at Purdue in 2026-27, though he's been discussed as a potential fit in the Commanders' offense should be become available.
If all three end up getting signed, former Packers wide receiver Romeo Dobbs could find himself in high, high demand from several teams.
Tight End: Kyle Pitts Sr. (Atlanta)
Maybe the most debated offseason mover across the NFL, Pittsburgh finished less than 100 yards away from notching his second career 1,000 yard receiving season while leading all tight ends and finishing tenth in the NFL with 88 catches in 2025, reminding the rest of the league why he was such a highly discussed weapon in the passing game.
But with three down seasons sandwiched between a breakout rookie season and comeback 2025 year, there's been debate as to what his market could look like this offseason. One wrinkle could be David Njoku's announcement to leave Cleveland, making a possible reunion with Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta a possibility should the Falcons new leadership opt to go in a different direction.
If he hits the open market, Pitts could materialize into the top available tight end, but it would also add another quality option in free agency with others like Isaiah Likely and Chigoziem Okonkwo also available.