Jan. 30, 2026, 4:47 a.m. ET

The Washington Commanders have finalized most of their coaching hires for 2026 and now need to turn their attention to player personnel. Between the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency, the Commanders have holes to fill on both sides of the ball.

There are hundreds of free agents in the NFL, and none of them are created equal. But it’s not just about skill and talent, it’s not just about work ethic and on-field ability; it’s also about a team’s need and a player’s fit with that team. Recently, Pro Football Focus released a list of one free agent that every team should target, and the suggestion for the Commanders is a bit of a surprise.

Washington Commanders: TE Kyle PittsPFF Free Agent Rank: 24

The Commanders seek a rebound from an uninspiring 2025 campaign, part of which was due to injury. Although Washington’s defense was yet again among the league’s worst, the team could also upgrade its skill-position options.

Pitts looked his best since 2021 with an 82.0 PFF receiving grade, 1.71 yards per route run and 51 first downs gained. The former fourth overall pick could find a landing spot in Washington: Zach Ertz’s future is uncertain after a serious knee injury, while John Bates and Ben Sinnott haven’t proven receiving threats. Pairing the 25-year-old Pitts with Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin could be enticing for multiple seasons.

With Zach Ertz injured and unlikely to be retained when he becomes a free agent in March, it sort of makes sense that Pitts would be someone the Commanders should pursue. However, they have a young Ben Sinnott waiting in the wings. Unfortunately, he hasn’t really stood out yet. In two years, Sinnott has played a limited role in the passing game because of Ertz.

Pitts has been quietly successful in Atlanta. In 2025, he was their leading receiver, recording 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns. During his rookie season, Pitts roped in 68 receptions for 1,026 yards and a touchdown, an average of 15.1 yards per catch. His skill, plus the fact that he’s much younger than Ertz, could give Jayden Daniels a boost in 2026. However, the downside to Pitts is the lack of productivity over the three previous seasons.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.