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Commanders Free Agency: Reviewing The Grade Cards

Trends January 15, 2025

Commanders Free Agency Grades: Assessing the Team's Offseason Moves

The Washington Commanders have been active in free agency this offseason, making several key additions to their roster. These moves have been met with mixed reactions, with some analysts praising the team's aggressiveness and others questioning the value of some of the contracts. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Commanders' free agency grades and assess the potential impact of these moves on the team's upcoming season.

One of the most significant moves made by the Commanders this offseason was the signing of quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz, who was acquired in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, is expected to be the team's starting quarterback in 2023. Wentz has a proven track record of success in the NFL, having led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2017. However, he has also struggled with injuries and inconsistency in recent seasons. The Commanders are hoping that Wentz can regain his old form and lead the team to the playoffs.

In addition to Wentz, the Commanders have also signed several other key players in free agency, including wide receiver Terry McLaurin, running back J.D. McKissic, and defensive end Efe Obada. McLaurin is one of the most talented young receivers in the NFL, and he is expected to be a key target for Wentz in the passing game. McKissic is a versatile running back who can also contribute as a receiver, and he should help to take some of the pressure off of Antonio Gibson. Obada is a solid pass rusher who should help to improve the Commanders' defense.

Overall, the Commanders have made some solid additions to their roster this offseason. However, it remains to be seen how these moves will impact the team's performance on the field. The Commanders have a lot of talent on paper, but they need to find a way to put it all together and win games. If they can do that, they could be a surprise team in 2023.

Commanders Free Agency Grades

Quarterback
Wide receiver
Running back
Defensive end
Overall

1. Quarterback

The quarterback is one of the most important positions in football. He is responsible for leading the offense and making quick decisions under pressure. The Commanders have made a significant investment in the quarterback position this offseason, signing Carson Wentz in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. Wentz is a proven veteran with a strong arm and the ability to make big plays. However, he has also struggled with injuries and inconsistency in recent seasons. The Commanders are hoping that Wentz can regain his old form and lead the team to the playoffs.

Leadership: The quarterback is the leader of the offense. He needs to be able to communicate effectively with his teammates and make quick decisions under pressure. Wentz has shown that he has the leadership skills necessary to be a successful quarterback.
Arm strength: Wentz has one of the strongest arms in the NFL. He can make all the throws that are required of a modern quarterback. This will be a major asset for the Commanders, who have a number of talented receivers.
Mobility: Wentz is not the most mobile quarterback in the NFL, but he is able to move around the pocket and extend plays with his legs. This will help him to avoid sacks and keep the offense on schedule.
Accuracy: Wentz has struggled with accuracy in recent seasons. He needs to improve his completion percentage if he wants to be a successful quarterback in Washington. The Commanders have a number of talented receivers, but they need Wentz to be able to get them the ball in their hands.

Overall, the Commanders have made a solid investment in the quarterback position this offseason. Wentz is a proven veteran with a lot of potential. However, he needs to prove that he can stay healthy and consistent. If he can do that, the Commanders will have a chance to be a playoff contender in 2023.

2. Wide receiver

Wide receivers are an essential part of any successful football team. They are responsible for catching passes from the quarterback and gaining yards. The Commanders have made a significant investment in the wide receiver position this offseason, signing Terry McLaurin to a long-term contract and adding Jahan Dotson in the NFL Draft. McLaurin is one of the most talented young receivers in the NFL, and he is expected to be a key target for Wentz in the passing game. Dotson is a rookie with a lot of potential, and he could develop into a solid contributor in the years to come.

The Commanders' wide receivers are a talented group, but they need to be able to stay healthy and consistent. McLaurin has missed games due to injury in each of the past two seasons. Dotson is a rookie, and he will need time to adjust to the NFL game. If the Commanders' wide receivers can stay healthy and produce, they will be a major asset to the team's offense.

The wide receiver position is a key component of the Commanders' free agency grades. The team has made a significant investment in this position, and they are hoping that their wide receivers can help them to be a more successful team in 2023.

3. Running back

Running backs are an essential part of any successful football team. They are responsible for carrying the ball, gaining yards, and scoring touchdowns. The Commanders have made a significant investment in the running back position this offseason, signing J.D. McKissic in free agency and drafting Brian Robinson Jr. in the NFL Draft. McKissic is a versatile running back who can also contribute as a receiver, and he should help to take some of the pressure off of Antonio Gibson. Robinson is a rookie with a lot of potential, and he could develop into a solid contributor in the years to come.

The Commanders' running backs are a talented group, but they need to be able to stay healthy and consistent. Gibson has missed games due to injury in each of the past two seasons. McKissic is also coming off of an injury-plagued season. If the Commanders' running backs can stay healthy and produce, they will be a major asset to the team's offense.

The running back position is a key component of the Commanders' free agency grades. The team has made a significant investment in this position, and they are hoping that their running backs can help them to be a more successful team in 2023.

4. Defensive end

Defensive ends are responsible for putting pressure on the quarterback and disrupting the opposing team's running game. They are an essential part of any successful defense. The Commanders have made a significant investment in the defensive end position this offseason, signing Efe Obada in free agency and drafting Travon Walker with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Obada is a solid pass rusher who should help to improve the Commanders' defense. Walker is a dynamic pass rusher with a lot of potential. He could develop into one of the best defensive ends in the NFL.

Pass rushing
Defensive ends are responsible for putting pressure on the quarterback. They can do this by using their speed, strength, and athleticism to get past the offensive linemen and sack the quarterback. Obada and Walker are both excellent pass rushers. They should help to create more sacks and turnovers for the Commanders' defense.
Run defense
Defensive ends also play a role in the running game. They can help to stop the running back by using their strength and athleticism to clog up the running lanes. Obada and Walker are both solid run defenders. They should help to improve the Commanders' run defense.
Versatility
Some defensive ends are more versatile than others. They may be able to play multiple positions on the defensive line. This can be a valuable asset for a team, as it allows them to be more flexible with their defensive schemes. Obada and Walker are both versatile defensive ends. They can play multiple positions on the defensive line, which gives the Commanders more options on defense.
Experience
Experience is an important factor for defensive ends. The more experience a defensive end has, the better they will be at reading the opposing team's offense and making plays. Obada has a lot of experience playing in the NFL. He should be able to provide the Commanders with some much-needed leadership on defense. Walker is a rookie, but he has a lot of potential. He could develop into a star player for the Commanders.

The defensive end position is a key component of the Commanders' free agency grades. The team has made a significant investment in this position, and they are hoping that their defensive ends can help them to be a more successful team in 2023.

5. Overall

The Commanders' free agency grades are an overall assessment of the team's offseason moves. These grades take into account a number of factors, including the quality of the players signed, the contracts they received, and the team's needs. The Commanders have made a number of significant additions to their roster this offseason, including quarterback Carson Wentz, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and defensive end Efe Obada. These players should help the Commanders to improve in a number of areas, including passing offense, wide receiver play, and pass rush.

Quality of players signed
The Commanders have signed a number of high-quality players in free agency this offseason. These players include quarterback Carson Wentz, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and defensive end Efe Obada. Wentz is a proven veteran with a strong arm and the ability to make big plays. McLaurin is one of the most talented young receivers in the NFL. Obada is a solid pass rusher who should help to improve the Commanders' defense.
Contracts
The Commanders have given out some big contracts in free agency this offseason. Wentz signed a four-year, $128 million contract. McLaurin signed a three-year, $72 million contract. Obada signed a three-year, $21 million contract. These contracts are all fair value for the players involved. The Commanders have not overpaid for any of their free agent signings.
Team needs
The Commanders have addressed a number of their needs in free agency this offseason. They needed a quarterback, a wide receiver, and a pass rusher. They signed Wentz, McLaurin, and Obada to fill these needs. These players should help the Commanders to be a more competitive team in 2023.

Overall, the Commanders have had a solid free agency period. They have signed a number of quality players who should help them to improve in a number of areas. The Commanders are now in a better position to compete for a playoff spot in 2023.

FAQs on Commanders Free Agency Grades

The Commanders' free agency moves have been met with mixed reactions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about their offseason acquisitions and their potential impact on the team's upcoming season.

Question 1: How do the Commanders' free agency grades compare to other teams in the NFL?

The Commanders' free agency grades have been generally positive. Many analysts have praised the team for making several key additions to their roster, including quarterback Carson Wentz, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and defensive end Efe Obada. However, some analysts have questioned the value of some of the contracts that the Commanders have given out, such as the four-year, $128 million contract that Wentz signed. Overall, the Commanders' free agency grades are solid, but there are some concerns about the team's spending.

Question 2: Which of the Commanders' free agent signings is most likely to have a positive impact on the team's performance in 2023?

Quarterback Carson Wentz is the most likely of the Commanders' free agent signings to have a positive impact on the team's performance in 2023. Wentz is a proven veteran with a strong arm and the ability to make big plays. He has led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl and has been to the Pro Bowl twice. Wentz will be the Commanders' starting quarterback in 2023, and he will be expected to lead the team to the playoffs.

Question 3: Which of the Commanders' free agent signings is most likely to be a disappointment in 2023?

Defensive end Efe Obada is the most likely of the Commanders' free agent signings to be a disappointment in 2023. Obada is a solid pass rusher, but he is not a star player. He has never had more than 5.5 sacks in a season, and he has never been to the Pro Bowl. The Commanders are hoping that Obada can help them improve their pass rush, but he is not a sure thing.

Question 4: What are the Commanders' biggest needs heading into the 2023 season?

The Commanders' biggest needs heading into the 2023 season are at cornerback and offensive line. The Commanders have a number of talented players on their defense, but they need to improve their pass rush and their coverage in the secondary. The Commanders also need to improve their offensive line. They allowed 47 sacks in 2022, which was the third-most in the NFL. The Commanders need to protect Wentz better in 2023, and they need to improve their running game.

Question 5: What are the Commanders' realistic expectations for the 2023 season?

The Commanders' realistic expectations for the 2023 season are to compete for a playoff spot. The Commanders have a lot of talent on their roster, but they need to stay healthy and they need to play together as a team. If they can do that, they have the potential to be a playoff contender in 2023.

Conclusion

The Commanders have made a number of significant moves in free agency this offseason, adding several key players to their roster. These moves have been met with mixed reactions, but overall, the Commanders have had a solid free agency period. They have signed a number of quality players who should help them to improve in a number of areas. The Commanders are now in a better position to compete for a playoff spot in 2023.

However, there are still some concerns about the Commanders' roster. The team needs to stay healthy and they need to play together as a team. If they can do that, they have the potential to be a playoff contender in 2023. The Commanders' free agency grades are a solid B+. The team has made some good moves, but there are still some areas that need to be addressed.