The Washington Commanders' roster got a significant boost despite general manager Adam Peters having just five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. That doesn't mean there aren't more holes to fill before this squad becomes complete.
Peters is not one to sit on his hands. He's an aggressive roster builder with raised urgency this offseason in pursuit of maximizing quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie contract. The Commanders are on the cusp of something special, so throwing caution to the wind was the smart approach.
The Commanders securing the services of kicker Matt Gay after the draft shows that Peters is still looking. Washington has $26.18 million in effective salary-cap space as things stand. Looking at the franchise's current trajectory and ambitions for the upcoming campaign, this represents an extremely attractive free-agent destination for any remaining veterans still sitting on the market.
With this in mind, here are five free agents who can fill the Commanders' post-draft roster holes immediately.
Free agents who can fill the Commanders’ post-draft roster holes now
Commanders could sign Za'Darius Smith
Let's get the most obvious one out of the way first.
The Washington Commanders ignored their edge rushing room during the draft. That wasn't by design, it's just prospects pretty high on their board — offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. and cornerback Trey Amos — fell into Adam Peters' lap over the first two rounds.
It was a calculated risk. Those in power are confident in the options available. However, the Commanders don't have anyone capable of striking fear into opposing offensive lines. That much is abundantly clear despite boasting some savvy veterans.
The Commanders should be better against the run. That will help, but it won't be enough to get over the hump. That's why targeting a proven performer with Pro Bowl-caliber credentials represents a can't-miss opportunity for Washington before preparations for the 2025 season gather pace.
Specifically, Za'Darius Smith.
The decorated edge rusher might be in the twilight of his professional career, but his nine sacks on two different teams last season would have been second on the Commanders behind only Dante Fowler Jr. (10.5), and he's no longer around after bolting for the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.
Smith still has the fear factor. He's lost a little bit of quickness, but he more than makes up for that with experience to create leverage and power his way into the backfield consistently. Much will depend on the money involved, but this would be a home run hit for the Commanders.
Commanders could sign Brandon Scherff
The Washington Commanders gave their offensive line another major boost by selecting Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. This was surprising to some, but Adam Peters took the highest-rated player on his board without a second thought.
Conerly has potential. Adding some play strength would be smart, but his technique and footwork already look NFL-ready. With a smooth transition this offseason, he could form a potential bookend tackle tandem with five-time Pro Bowl blindside enforcer Laremy Tunsil.
This will involve some shuffling around for others. Nick Allegretti, Brandon Coleman, and Andrew Wylie will fight it out for the starting guard spots. But if Peters isn't entirely convinced with the options available, especially with right guard Sam Cosmi on the shelf with a torn ACL, settling is not an option.
Brandon Scherff could be a nice stopgap for the Commanders that would take the pressure off Cosmi's recovery. This would also be an emotional reunion for the lineman, who was drafted by Washington and earned All-Pro honors before departing for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 free agency.
Scherff didn't give up a sack last season. He's still performing at a decent level. One could even argue that he'd be an upgrade on anything the Commanders have on the interior currently.
Commanders could sign Julian Blackmon
The Commanders don't have enough at the safety position right now. There's a chance one of the team's young hopefuls can surge more than anticipated, but guaranteeing this would be foolish looking at the options available.
This all started when the Commanders opted to let Jeremy Chinn walk in favor of the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Most fans were convinced he'd sign an extension after impressing in 2024. Peters had other ideas, signing Will Harris to fill the void instead.
Washington placed a significant amount of faith in Harris (and those further down the depth chart) by ignoring some outstanding safety prospects in the draft. That will encourage them, but Peters won't stop looking for improvements.
Some intriguing options are remaining on the market. Julian Blackmon complements what the Commanders already have. He lacks consistency against the run on occasion, but his coverage support is first-class. He's also got the versatility to operate on the backend or in the nickel if the situation dictates.
The Commanders could do a lot worse than check in on Blackmon. He recently visited the Carolina Panthers without securing a deal immediately. If Peters identifies him as a player of interest — one who is young enough to potentially become a long-term piece of the puzzle — he must act quickly.
Commanders could sign Nick Chubb
The Washington Commanders spent their final selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on a running back. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is being tabbed as a potential steal, but expecting him to immediately surge into a prominent position is unfair and unrealistic in equal measure.
Looking at the regression of Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler last season, moving forward with this tandem again is questionable at best. Croskey-Merritt is the wildcard, but the Commanders could add another backfield threat to the room with high-profile credentials.
It's a risk, but Nick Chubb represents a solid option. The running back got his football legs back last season after a lengthy spell out through injury. With a full offseason to get sharp and prepare effectively, there's a good chance he will return to something like his old form.
Chubb posted videos of his workouts after the Cleveland Browns took two running backs in the draft. That won't go unnoticed by others around the league looking for backfield assistance immediately. Whether the Commanders throw their hat in the ring is another matter.
If this were the Chubb that took the NFL by storm in 2022, it's a no-brainer. Unfortunately for the former second-round pick, the last two campaigns haven't been kind. Wherever he ends up, a huge challenge awaits this summer.
Commanders could sign De'Vondre Campbell
The Commanders have two established starting linebackers — Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. They have two athletically gifted backups who could become more over time. That said, adding some extra experience to the depth chart wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
Washington could be content to move forward with the options available. There's also last year's fifth-round selection, Dominique Hampton, who remains an unknown quantity after practically redshirting his rookie campaign. But if there is even the slightest concern in the event Luvu or Wagner goes down through injury, the Commanders should add more.
De'Vondre Campbell is a nine-year professional with bags of experience. He spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers, putting up solid numbers without ever standing out at any stage. Even so, with 858 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and seven interceptions throughout his career, it wouldn't be a bad fallback option to consider if Hampton, Jordan Magee, and rookie Kain Medrano need some extra time to develop.
In an ideal world, the aforementioned trio will pick things up quickly and make their presence felt. If not, Campbell could step in and give short-term assistance to a contending squad with no margin for error.
Although he might not be the All-Pro he once was, that doesn't mean Campbell couldn't do a job for Washington.
