The Washington Commanders are reportedly bringing in a veteran free agent cornerback for a visit on Thursday, but is he a fit?
The Washington Commanders have additional roster needs to address ahead of next month's NFL Draft, but general manager Adam Peters will reportedly bring in a familiar name for a visit on Thursday in veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.
Of course, Washington already made a move at the position with Amik Robertson becoming the first free agent signing of the offseason, but more moves at the position have remained the expectation. Witherspoon is coming off a three year stint with the Los Angeles Rams while NFL Trade Rumors ranks him the 97th-best available free agent. In his career, Witherspoon has appeared in 96 games with 64 starts and has recorded 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, 60 passes defensed and one forced fumble. But what makes him attractive - and what leaves cause for concern? We take a look at the newest free agent target.
Pros: takeaways + familiarity
The key variable in a Daronte Jones defense is being a disruptor and for cornerbacks, it's takeaways. "You want to see guys that are constantly attacking the football, creating takeaways," Jones said. Witherspoon has exactly that.
The veteran has recorded at least one interception in each of his last eight seasons and nine of his ten in the NFL, including a career-best three in his first of three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. He also notched 25 pass deflections with the Rams, including a career-best 14 in 2023, the lone season he played every year.
It's an impressive note for the 6-foot-2, 215-pound veteran who would add size and physicality to the Commanders' cornerback room capable of matching up against other big receivers with several like Mike Evans, Nico Collins and Drake London among others on the 2026 schedule.
Witherspoon does have his question marks, as we'll get to, but there's also familiarity with him as both a player and person given his NFL career began after becoming the San Francisco 49ers' third round pick of the 2017 NFL Draft - the first year that Adam Peters served as the vice president of player personnel. While the connection adds background to the Commanders' evaluation, Witherspoon also arrives with Peters and Jones clear on his role to upgrade the secondary in 2026.
He also could do so on a cheap deal with Spotrac projecting a one year deal worth $1.4 million.
Cons: inconsistency + injury scare as a vet
While the cornerback room needs additional attention, whether Witherspoon has proven to be the right guy is the question mark.
Witherspoon is also coming off consecutive seasons where he allowed at least a 62% completion rate, including a career-worst 75.9% allowed in his final season in Pittsburgh in 2022. While he may have followed it up by allowing a completion percentage under 50% for just the second time in his career in his first season with over 100 targets, it ended with Witherspoon allowing a career-worst five receiving touchdowns in 2023. He also gave up nearly 12 yards per target and 19 yards per reception in 2025. Add in a secondary looking to turn the page from the big plays allowed in the second and final season under Joe Whitt Jr., whether Witherspoon is an actual upgrade is a debate.
He's also coming off a major injury after suffering a broken scapula in week two, then re-breaking it in the Wild Card win against the Carolina Panthers. Witherspoon has played a full season just once in ten years, too. The medical side is one Washington can evaluate during Thursday's visit as Witherspoon, days removed from turning 31, looks to prove himself back at full strength.