With the Washington Commanders looking to add a playmaker alongside Terry McLaurin, we take look at five free agent wide receivers who fit the role
With Deebo Samuel entering free agency and Terry McLaurin only playing 10 games in 2025, wide receiver becomes one of the biggest needs for Washington this offseason. Getting a decent number two target across from McLaurin is important, with quarterback Jayden Daniels entering his third year and struggling with an elbow injury last year. Here are some receives to keep an eye out once free agency opens.
Alec Pierce, Colts:
Pierce is probably the top option for the Commanders’ WR2 spot in the offseason. The former second-round pick out of Cincinnati has gotten better every year since joining the NFL in 2022. Despite not having 50 catches in any of his four years, he’s a playmaker every time the ball is in his hands.
Last year, Pierce led the Colts with 1083 receiving yards on just 47 catches. He has a career 18.7 yards per catch. He will be a tough get as he’ll have plenty of suitors, including Indianapolis, who will do everything they can to keep him. But a big-play threat to team with McLaurin and Daniels would fit perfectly with this offense.
Jauan Jennings, 49ers:
After coming into the league as a seventh-round pick and spending his first year on the practice squad, Jennings has blossomed over the last two years. In that time he’s led all receivers in catches and yards, stepping up when injuries hit the receiving core. In that time, Jennings has caught 132 passes for 1618 yards and 15 touchdowns.
After an injury-riddled season in Washington last year, bringing in a guy like Jennings would make a lot of sense. Just like Pierce, there will be many teams that will want to sign him. There’s also a question of how big a contract Jennings will want in free agency.
Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks:
Shaheed is the definition of a big-play threat since coming into the league. A former undrafted player out of Weber State back in 2021, he’s had a catch of at least 50 yards every year since coming into the league. Shaheed’s value isn’t just on the offensive side of the ball, as he’s one of the most dangerous return men.
His playmaking skills came alive in the playoffs for the Seahawks, as he took the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the rout over the 49ers in the divisional round. In the Conference Championship against the Rams, Shaheed had a 51-yard catch that set up the Seahawks’ first touchdown of the game.
Players like Shaheed are hard to come by, and every team would love to have one. Washington could have some fun with where they line him up and how they could get the ball in his hands.
Christian Kirk, Jaguars:
If there’s one player that would be considered a risk for the Commanders in free agency, it would be Kirk. He’s missed a combined 18 games the last three years, which would worry a team that had the most starts missed by week one starters last year. However, when Kirk is on the field, he is a difference maker.
Kirk had over 500 yards receiving in his first six years in the league, including a 1000-yard campaign with the Jaguars in 2022. While he had career lows in both catches and yards in 2025 with the Texans, he was big for them in the playoffs. In two playoff games, Kirk led Houston with 10 catches for 164 yards and scored two of their three offensive touchdowns.
Kirk is a risk considering the fall in stats and the missed games over the past three years. But he could be a risk worth taking if a return to form is in the cards in 2026.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers:
Aiyuk isn’t a free agent, but his time with the 49ers is all but over after a 2025 season where he didn’t play after recovering from a torn ACL and issues with the club. General Manager John Lynch has said that he has played his last snap with the team. A former first-round pick back in 2020, he grew into a number one target in San Francisco, posting back-to-back 1000-yard campaigns in 2022-23. This would also be a reunion with Daniels, as the two played together at Arizona State back in 2019.
While the highs with Aiyuk are about as good as they could be, the lows could be disastrous. He hasn’t played in an NFL game since 10/20/2024, so the rust factor has to be discussed. Then there are the issues with the 49ers that make him available. Will he create problems within the Commanders’ locker room? Where Aiyuk goes will be one of the bigger storylines in this offseason, and Washington could take a chance on him if other options fall through.