CBS Sports projects the Washington Commanders will address the wide receiver, tight end and linebacker room with marquee names in free agency.
Once the Washington Commanders get the coaching staff settled, the next phase of the offseason will turn to revamping the roster with a need to upgrade the skill players around quarterback Jayden Daniels while bolstering the defense following a humbling 2025 season. While the front office enters the offseason among the most cap space and over 30 free agents, the Commanders will have a chance to significantly alter the roster during free agency with several intriguing fits already floating around. But CBS Sports projected the Commanders to sign three inside their rankings of the top 50 free agents ahead of the 2026 season.
That includes wide receiver Alec Pierce, ranked the sixth-best free agent with Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports also listing the Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills as other candidates. But Pierce makes an intriguing argument as maybe one of the best fits as a WR2 alongside Terry McLaurin, while he's coming off a career year and first 1,000-yard receiving season. But the Commanders were projected to lose Deebo Samuel by CBS, making a receiver as impactful as Pierce a need for offensive coordinator David Blough.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel, arguably the Commanders' most intriguing free agent this offseason, was also projected to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers alongside quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Omarion Hampton and Mike McDaniel now in place as offensive coordinator.
Tight end Isaiah Likely, ranked the 32nd-best free agent, was also projected to land in DC with a need to replace Zach Ertz. "Likely provides speed and athleticism Jayden Daniels hasn't had at the position before," Peerless added with the Chiefs and Eagles also listed as suitors. But the former fourth round pick for Baltimore could be one of the most coveted targets this offseason with he and Kyle Pitts leading the available tight ends, though a potential franchise tag for Pitts could materialize. But Likely has spent four seasons rotating in behind Mark Andrews, who also signed a three-year extension midway through the 2025 season, and with a chance to provide a spark to a room, Likely would mark one of the more underrated moves should it come to fruition.
The Commanders were also projected to sign linebacker Quay Walker with the Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams also in the mix. "Washington desperately needs to add youth, speed and athleticism across the defense especially, and the 25-year-old Walker fits the bill for what should be an overhauled unit," Pereles wrote. The news makes even more sense given Bobby Wagner, fresh off becoming the third player in league history to record 2,000 career tackles, was also projected to retire in the article. But with general manger Adam Peters stressing the need to get younger on defense, Walker could fit the bill as a versatile linebacker in new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' defense. Walker is coming off a career-high 128 tackles while posting 2.5 sacks for the third consecutive season, though becomes available this offseason after Green Bay declined the fifth-year option on the former first-round pick.
The Commanders were also ruled among 'other suitors' for Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens, Eagles edge Jaelan Phillips, Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen, Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, Seahawks safety Coby Bryant and Seahawks edge Boye Mafe.