With a long list of questions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network expects Washington to be aggressive in free agency.
While draft capital is a question mark, cap space is not with the Washington Commanders entering the critical phase of the offseason with flexibility to make much-needed moves to upgrade both sides of the ball. And one analyst expects the Commanders to be an aggressive team in doing so.
Per Spotrac, Washington currently has roughly $66.5 million in cap space, while OverTheCap projects $75.4 million in current space. Of course, the front office could always create additional room with obvious roster cuts, while others like Daron Payne could opt to stay and play out the final year of his contract with hopes of new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones and line coach Eric Henderson looking to tap into his potential.
But the Commanders, of course, enter with a long list of question marks ahead of free agency and the NFL Draft. It isn't the first time that Washington had questions, though this offseason, it marks the most critical offseason for the new leadership after two seasons featuring polar opposite results.
Ahead of a pivotal year three that could lead Dan Quinn on the hot seat if results don't fare better than year two, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network looked at possible big offseason moves for the Commanders.
"It is an essential, important year for Washington. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some fireworks here," he said while analyzing the NFL teams with the most cap space.
Washington has several intriguing free agent fits including at quarterback, running back and wide receiver before addressing the laundry list of needs on the defensive side of the ball, but what moves the front office makes in April's draft could also dictate what positions the Commanders are most active at in free agency.
Head coach Dan Quinn pointed to an offensive player "that's putting up points," alluding to the need for a difference maker around quarterback Jayden Daniels.
"On the defensive side, that's somebody that can affect the quarterback or single on a receiver to eliminate this player," he added.
With the NFL Scouting Combine is nearly one week away and the legal tampering period beginning at noon on March 9, the window for general manager Adam Peters and the front office to make moves isn't far off as they assess which pending free agents are re-sign candidates, including running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. and guard Chris Paul among over 30 others, both restricted and unrestricted.