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NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders will push hard to sign center Tyler Linderbaum if he reaches NFL free agency.
There is a lot riding on the 1st round pick for the Washington Commanders in 2026, where they are making a surprise appearance in the Top 10 after entering 2025 with Super Bowl hopes.
There should be plenty of great players available when the Commanders’ pick comes up, although if it’s not one of a few specific individuals, there might be a case for a trade, after Pro Football Focus identified the Commanders’ No. 7 overall pick as the team’s top trade asset.
“The Commanders have their franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels, but must continue building around him with youth and depth,” PFF’s John Kosko wrote. “The No. 7 overall pick provides significant flexibility to add a high-end offensive lineman, playmaker or defensive contributor. Alternatively, trading down could allow Washington to accumulate additional assets and accelerate the roster build. After leaning on veteran additions, the Commanders would benefit from injecting more young talent into the lineup to maximize Daniels’ window.”
Which Players Commanders Should Stay Put For
The Commanders didn’t improve their offense in free agency, although they reportedly made a play for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce, who stayed put with a massive overpay on a 4-year, $116 million contract.
If anything, they made it noticeably worse by releasing Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz to clear up a negligible amount of salary cap space, then watching the Los Angeles Chargers swoop him up with a 3-year, $30 million contract.
That means the thing the Commanders need the most in the 1st round is an instant impact player on offense — specifically Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.
If neither of those 2 are available after the No. 6 overall pick comes off the board to the Cleveland Browns, getting a Pro Bowl-level starter back for the pick could be worth it — and possibly the difference in the Commanders becoming an NFC contender again after going 5-12 in 2025.
Brutal Turn for Commanders in Free Agency
As incredible a job as the Commanders did in free agency with their defense, you can say they were equally as bad in free agency on offense.
Of the 7 offensive players the Commanders signed in free agency, only 1 translates to being a clear-cut starter with tight end Chig Okonkwo, who signed a 3-year, $30 million contract.
“The Commanders are expected to sign free agent TE Chig Okonkwo, giving him a 3-year deal worth up to $30M,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on March 9. “The Commanders land the top tight end available.”
In 4 seasons, Okonkwo has career numbers of 194 receptions for 2,017 yards and 8 touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s 5th among all NFL tight ends over the last 4 seasons with 39 missed tackles forced.
Free-agent signings in running back Rachaad White, quarterback Marcus Mariota, running back Jerome Ford, offensive lineman Foster Sarrell, and wide receiver Van Jefferson are all clear-cut backups.
Only wide receiver Dyami Brown, who returns to the Commanders after playing 2025 on a 1 year, $10 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, seems like he has a chance of cracking the starting lineup outside of Okonkwo.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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