Washington Commanders Free Agency: Thrift Shop Edition 2026

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 12: Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) intercepts the ball intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) during the game against the Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 12, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

I wrote the first edition of this article as a fan post in February of 2025 in an effort to highlight low-cost free agents that could fit the Washington Commanders. At the time, Adam Peters had over 30 players scheduled to become free agents that he needed to either re-sign or replace during the offseason. Ironically, my first attempt was far from thrifty, as the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract on the first day of legal tampering. The other players in the article went on to sign contracts of various values, but none inked a deal with the Washington Commanders in 2025.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Once again, Adam Peters is re-signing or replacing over 30 players before training camp starts in July. After a busy first week of signings, the third-year GM still has multiple spots to fill in free agency and the draft.

This time, I have improved my odds of success by writing the article after free agency starts. Headed into the second week, teams will start signing players at a less feverish pace. These additions won't be the firework" signings that fans demanded during the legal tampering period but will fill out the roster, provide camp bodies, and competition for roster spots. If you think these types of players aren't worth the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee, head to the comment section now. For the rest of us, let's go thrifting!

Rasul Douglas, 31, Cornerback

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'2'', 209 lbs

	Pass Coverage	Pass Rush	Tackles
Season	Age	Team	Lg	Pos	G	GS	Int	Tgt	Cmp	Cmp%	Yds	Yds/Cmp	Yds/Tgt	TD	Rat	DADOT	Air	YAC	Bltz	Hrry	QBKD	Bats	Sk	Prss	Comb	MTkl	MTkl%	Awards
2018	23	PHI	NFL	LCB	16	7	3	76	53	69.7	678	12.8	8.9	4	98.5	11.0	439	239	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	58	3	4.9
2019	24	PHI	NFL	RCB	16	6	0	72	41	56.9	637	15.5	8.8	6	114.2	13.0	448	189	2	0	1	0	0.0	1	35	2	5.4
2020	25	CAR	NFL	RCB	14	11	0	98	62	63.3	783	12.6	8.0	6	108.5	9.4	514	269	2	0	0	0	0.0	0	62	8	11.4
2021	26	GNB	NFL	RCB	12	9	5	64	32	50.0	351	11.0	5.5	2	44.5	11.3	267	84	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	57	5	8.1
2022	27	GNB	NFL	DB	17	12	4	84	55	65.5	583	10.6	6.9	6	89.5	7.5	312	271	3	0	0	0	1.0	1	85	6	6.6
2023	28	2TM	NFL	CB	16	15	5	80	47	58.8	524	11.1	6.6	5	73.1	8.7	343	181	4	0	0	0	1.0	1	61	7	10.3
2023	28	GNB	NFL	RCB	7	7	1	41	27	65.9	292	10.8	7.1	4	109.0	6.6	178	114	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	32	3	8.6
2023	28	BUF	NFL	CB	9	8	4	39	20	51.3	232	11.6	5.9	1	38.6	11.0	165	67	4	0	0	0	1.0	1	29	4	12.1
2024	29	BUF	NFL	LCB	15	15	0	59	43	72.9	518	12.0	8.8	4	122.0	9.8	366	152	5	0	0	0	0.0	0	58	3	4.9
2025	30	MIA	NFL	CB	15	13	2	77	42	54.5	430	10.2	5.6	3	73.0	10.4	285	145	6	0	1	0	1.0	2	62	4	6.1
8 Yrs		121	88	19	610	375	61.5	4504	12.0	7.4	36	90.8	10.0	2974	1530	22	0	2	0	3.0	5	478	38	7.4
17 Game Avg		17	12	3	86	53	61.5	633	12.0	7.4	5	90.8	10.0	418	215	3	0	0	0	0.4	1	67	5	7.4
GNB (3 Yrs)		36	28	10	189	114	60.3	1226	10.8	6.5	12	78.5	8.6	757	469	3	0	0	0	1.0	1	174	14	7.4
PHI (2 Yrs)		32	13	3	148	94	63.5	1315	14.0	8.9	10	106.1	12.0	887	428	2	0	1	0	0.0	1	93	5	5.1
BUF (2 Yrs)		24	23	4	98	63	64.3	750	11.9	7.7	5	87.5	10.3	531	219	9	0	0	0	1.0	1	87	7	7.4
MIA (1 Yr)		15	13	2	77	42	54.5	430	10.2	5.6	3	73.0	10.4	285	145	6	0	1	0	1.0	2	62	4	6.1
CAR (1 Yr)		14	11	0	98	62	63.3	783	12.6	8.0	6	108.5	9.4	514	269	2	0	0	0	0.0	0	62	8	11.4

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/15/2026.

The Commanders' cornerback room is frighteningly understocked at the moment and a lot of corners were signed early during the legal tampering period. An addition with both size and experience would be welcome, and Rasul Douglas would provide both.

Featured in the value section of Hogs Haven writer MattInBrisVegas' free agency article, Rasul is a big, physically imposing corner. Signed late in the preseason last year by the Dolphins on a bargain one-year, $1.57M deal, the veteran quickly became a starter. In 15 games and 13 starts, he delivered 62 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 13 passes defended, and a forced fumble. Although he will turn 32 before the season starts, Rasul continues to play at a high level, is strong in run support, and can play in the slot.

Rasul Douglas interception video. pic.twitter.com/2Tjrh9euNRhttps://t.co/5oUesTAkhm

- David Furones (@DavidFurones_) November 30, 2025

While a Douglas signing doesn't do much for the long-term outlook of the secondary, it would provide a safe floor for this year's defense. His market has been slow to develop, but my guess is he will be looking for a pay raise with incentives in 2026, and Spotrac is currently projecting a one-year, $4M agreement. Despite the dearth of corners with size and length, this signing still feels like something Adam Peters might consider after next month's draft.

Khalen Saunders, 29, Defensive Tackle

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'0", 324 lbs

	Def Interceptions	Fumbles		Tackles
Season	Age	Team	Lg	Pos	G	GS	Int	Yds	IntTD	Lng	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds	FRTD	Sk	Comb	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sfty	AV	Awards
2019	23	KAN	NFL	DT	12	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1.0	22	13	9	0	2	0	3
2020	24	KAN	NFL	DT	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	3	3	0	0	0	0	1
2021	25	KAN	NFL	DT	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	8	2	6	0	0	0	0
2022	26	KAN	NFL	DT	16	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3.5	48	22	26	3	8	0	1
2023	27	NOR	NFL	DT	17	17	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	57	24	33	1	2	0	8
2024	28	NOR	NFL	LDT	13	10	1	37	0	37	3	0	0	0	0	0	2.0	43	18	25	3	5	0	5
2025	29	2TM	NFL	DT	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.0	12	5	7	1	1	0	1
2025	29	JAX	NFL	DT	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	3	0	3	0	0	0	0
2025	29	NYJ	NFL	DL	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.0	9	5	4	1	1	0	1
7 Yrs		77	32	1	37	0	37	6	0	0	0	0	0	7.5	193	87	106	8	18	0	19
17 Game Avg		17	7	0	8	0	37	1	0	0	0	0	0	1.7	43	19	23	2	4	0	3
KAN (4 Yrs)		38	5	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	4.5	81	40	41	3	10	0	5
NOR (2 Yrs)		30	27	1	37	0	37	4	0	0	0	0	0	2.0	100	42	58	4	7	0	13
NYJ (1 Yr)		7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.0	9	5	4	1	1	0	1
JAX (1 Yr)		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	3	0	3	0	0	0	0

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/15/2026.

Tim Settle will play up and down the defensive line and most likely be the primary nose tackle, but the team's current roster doesn't have a good option behind the newly signed defensive tackle. Khalen Saunders is a big-bodied lineman that is a run-stopping force in the middle. He also has remarkable athleticism for his size (RAS 7.57) and is versatile enough to play the zero to three techniques along the defensive line. After playing 22 games for the Chiefs and winning two Super Bowls from 2019-to-2021, he's had difficulty sticking with a new team. However, he is still stout against the run. Saunders also brings some ability in the pass rush department with a career 7.5 sacks, six pass deflections, and one interception.

Khalen Saunders is the 6'0", 324-pound pass defender that every defense should want - but only one defense can have. @Saints@khalenNOTkaylenpic.twitter.com/5CufzkpqxZ

- Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2025

While Eddie Goldman is still available, Saunders is a younger, and more athletic option. Spotrac has Khalen's next contract projected as an affordable one-year, $1.5M deal. He presents a cheap and valuable depth option for the Commanders as a big nose tackle to draw double teams and cover the A and B gaps while providing occasional help in pass rush.

Cam Taylor-Britt, 26, Cornerback

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5'11'', 200 lbs

	Pass Coverage	Pass Rush	Tackles
Season	Age	Team	Lg	Pos	G	GS	Int	Tgt	Cmp	Cmp%	Yds	Yds/Cmp	Yds/Tgt	TD	Rat	DADOT	Air	YAC	Bltz	Hrry	QBKD	Bats	Sk	Prss	Comb	MTkl	MTkl%	Awards
2022	23	CIN	NFL	RCB	10	9	0	58	35	60.3	483	13.8	8.3	3	104.3	12.8	347	136	1	0	0	0	0.0	0	55	6	9.8
2023	24	CIN	NFL	CB	12	12	4	67	38	56.7	620	16.3	9.3	3	78.0	15.2	452	168	0	1	0	0	0.0	1	50	4	7.4
2024	25	CIN	NFL	LCB	17	17	3	91	59	64.8	734	12.4	8.1	6	98.0	11.6	510	224	2	0	0	0	0.5	1	77	10	11.5
2025	26	CIN	NFL	CB	8	2	0	28	19	67.9	241	12.7	8.6	4	134.1	8.5	117	124	4	0	1	0	0.0	1	21	6	22.2
4 Yrs		47	40	7	244	151	61.9	2078	13.8	8.5	16	99.0	12.5	1426	652	7	1	1	0	0.5	3	203	26	11.4
17 Game Avg		17	14	3	88	55	61.9	752	13.8	8.5	6	99.0	12.5	516	236	3	0	0	0	0.2	1	73	9	11.4

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/15/2026.

Given the current need at the cornerback position, putting at least one on the list was a requirement, but there is certainly room to profile another. The position was hit hard in free agency as the week progressed including high-end depth/possible starters like Cobie Durant and Roger McCreary. One name still available is Cam Taylor-Britt. A second-round selection of the Bengals in the 2022 draft, Taylor-Britt initially played a rotational role in Cincinnati and flashed potential as a starter during the 2023 season.

The 2024 season brought a serious regression, and he was benched twice during the year. Cam's up-and-down performance turned 2025 into a prove-it year, and after an inconsistent start, he suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 11. He also ran into trouble off the field, and was sentenced on charges of reckless driving in January. Comments like calling the 2024 Commanders a nice college offense" certainly didn't endear him to the coaching staff. Not surprisingly, Taylor-Britt is being met with a cold market in free agency, and his current Spotrac projection of a 3-year, $27M contract seems like a mirage. So far he has only been connected to the Green Bay Packers as a possible suitor.

Cam is still a plus athlete (8.31 RAS) with a 4.38 40-yard dash to his name. In addition, he is an aggressive, physical corner that has a knack for turnovers with 7 interceptions and 38 passes defended over 47 regular-season games.

This Cam Taylor-Britt interception

via @NFL | @Bengalspic.twitter.com/Sb6dmpNfZJ

- NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) September 15, 2024

The problem is Taylor-Britt's aggressive nature has been exposed by quarterbacks, as he is frequently beaten by double moves and gambles in coverage. While the splash plays are nice, coaches have found his play far too inconsistent to keep him on the field. So why should he interest the Commanders?

My biggest reason for optimism regarding Taylor-Britt is the belief he has been somewhat miscast as a man-cover defensive back, and he might actually excel in a scheme that uses more zone. While Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden's man-to-man scheme was supposed to cater to Cam's strengths, it actually seemed to have the opposite effect. When Awuzie went out during the 2023 season, the Bengals played more zone coverage and Cam's corresponding coverage grade of 70.6 was far better than the 41.3 he had in man situations. Much like Mike Sainristil, Taylor-Britt is at his best when he can read plays, jump routes, and use his speed to drive on the ball. If Daronte Jones' plan is to put his corners in these types of situations, Cam could be a scheme fit. He has some experience playing safety so he brings some of the desired versatility as well.

Overall, Cam Taylor-Britt could be a nice low-risk, high-reward addition in the second wave of free agency provided he is wiling to accept a one-year deal.

Ryan Bates, 29, Center

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'4", 306 lbs

	Games	Off.	Def.	ST
Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	GS	Num	Pct	Num	Pct	Num	Pct
2019	22	BUF	G	71	8	0	78	15%	0	0%	27	14%
2020	23	BUF	G	71	16	0	82	8%	0	0%	93	21%
2021	24	BUF	G	71	17	4	294	25%	0	0%	83	19%
2022	25	BUF	RG	71	15	15	947	94%	0	0%	62	16%
2023	26	BUF	G	71	17	0	35	3%	0	0%	79	18%
2024	27	CHI	OL	71	3	2	105	56%	0	0%	0	0%
2025	28	CHI	OL	71	16	0	0	0%	0	0%	82	19%
Career						1541		0		426
5 yrs	BUF			73	19	1436		0		344
2 yrs	CHI			19	2	105		0		82

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/15/2026.

Regardless of whether you think Nick Allegretti is a viable starter or not, the Commanders still could use a veteran backup at the position. Unfortunately, the center market was also hit hard during the first week of free agency. Scheme-friendly backups like Luke Fortner and Matt Hennessy signed with teams before the weekend, and the released Evan Brown found a home in a matter of days. While part of the plan is clearly to draft a center, adding a low-cost veteran for competition certainly couldn't hurt. Enter Ryan Bates.

Bates was an undrafted free agent out of Penn State who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. The Eagles traded him to Buffalo before the start of the season. Known for his versatility along the offensive line, Bates found a home as a backup and occasional starter, including at the pivot. He played 135 snaps at center in 2022 and 35 in 2023. Bears GM Ryan Poles traded a fifth-round selection for Bates in 2024 with the idea of trying him out at center full-time. Unfortunately, shoulder and concussion injuries derailed Ryan's time there, and he only played on special teams last season.

While he might not seem like an appealing option for Adam Peters, there are a couple of things working in Bates' favor. First, he is a highly versatile player and can play all five positions on the offensive line. The other is that Ryan is incredibly athletic, and had the second-highest RAS for a guard in the 2019 draft which makes him a fit in a zone-blocking scheme.

Ryan Bates had the second highest #RAS for a guard at the NFL Combine with good to great marks all around. pic.twitter.com/C7NfAr6f4M

- RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 26, 2019

The attached film is fairly lengthy, but if you are interested, it provides a good look at how Ryan fits as a potential starter. Spotrac currently has Bates projected to sign a one-year, $1.2M deal. For that price, Peters may well take a look, not only to upgrade the center position but also the entire depth of the offensive line.

Matt McCrane, 31, Kicker

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5'10",165lbs

	0-19	20-29	30-39	40-49	50+	Scoring	Kickoffs
Season	Age	Team	Lg	Pos	G	GS	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	Lng	FG%	XPA	XPM	XP%	KO	KOYds	TB	TB%	KOAvg	AV	Awards
2018	24	3TM	NFL	K	5	0	0	0	3	3	2	2	5	3	2	0	12	8	47	66.7	9	9	100.0	21	1250	5	23.8	60	-1
2018	24	OAK	NFL	K	3	0	0	0	3	3	0	0	4	2	2	0	9	5	44	55.6	5	5	100.0	13	761	3	23.1	59	-1
2018	24	ARI	NFL	K	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			3	3	100.0	4	258	2	50.0	65	0
2018	24	PIT	NFL	K	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	1	1	0	0	3	3	47	100.0	1	1	100.0	4	231	0	0.0	58	0
1 Yr		5	0	0	0	3	3	2	2	5	3	2	0	12	8	47	66.7	9	9	100.0	21	1250	5	23.8	60	-1
17 Game Avg		17	0	0	0	10	10	7	7	17	10	7	0	41	27		66.7	31	31	100.0	71	4250	17	23.8	60	-1
OAK (1 Yr)		3	0	0	0	3	3	0	0	4	2	2	0	9	5	44	55.6	5	5	100.0	13	761	3	23.1	59	-1
ARI (1 Yr)		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			3	3	100.0	4	258	2	50.0	65	0
PIT (1 Yr)		1	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	1	1	0	0	3	3	47	100.0	1	1	100.0	4	231	0	0.0	58	0

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/17/2026.

Our next player was included in last year's article and should be very familiar to DC Defenders fans. Matt McCrane continued his solid kicking for the UFL Champions in 2025, going 2-3 from 50-plus yards and hitting all five of his attempts in the postseason. The former Kansas State Wildcat continues to build on his college performance, where he left as the career leader in field goals (57), field-goal percentage (86.4 percent), PAT percentage (99.3 percent) and third in points (304). Matt still has plenty of leg, having recently won a UFL kicking competition.

The Commanders brought McCrane in for a tryout in 2024, and he was briefly on the Lions practice squad that same year, so he is definitely on the radar for NFL teams. UFL rules prohibit a player from signing with an NFL team during the season, but if McCrane puts together another successful campaign, he might find himself back at Commanders minicamp vying for a chance to compete with Jake Moody.

Bottom Line

If fans learned anything last season, it is that depth matters. While these thrifty bargains might not be flashy, the team could easily find one or more of them playing significant snaps in 2026. Adam Peters has done an admirable job in free agency filling out the roster, but there is still work left to be done before the front office and coaching staff turn their full attention to the 2026 NFL Draft.