Despite the first wave of NFL free agency being over for a couple of weeks now, several quality players remain available for all 32 teams. The Washington Commanders were aggressive this offseason, trading for wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil, re-signing several of their free agents, and adding multiple external free agents.
But Washington was unable to fill every need in free agency. One of those needs is an impact edge rusher. While the top free agents are long gone, some options do remain. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently named 10 free agents who could still be key contributors. Moton named two of those players as matches for the Commanders.
Moton on Smith:
Teams have evidence that Za'Darius Smith can be a productive pass-rusher at this stage of his career. Last season, in his age-32 term, he recorded 35 tackles, nine for loss, nine sacks and 25 pressures.
Before the 2024 trade deadline, the Detroit Lions acquired Smith from the Cleveland Browns. After logging five sacks with the Browns, he helped fill a pass-rushing void with the Lions, who lost Aidan Hutchinson after he fractured his fibula and tibia.
Detroit released Smith before the beginning of the legal tampering period, and several teams should be interested in him.
In 10 seasons, he has been productive in even- and odd-man defensive fronts. So, he's a potential fit in different systems. The 11th-year veteran can find a new home with a playoff contender that needs a boost on the edge, like the Lions did last season.
We've mentioned Smith as an option as soon as the Lions moved on from him. While he's older, he's been productive at every stop, including last season in Cleveland and Detroit. He's not going to come in and make a Myles Garrett-like impact, but Smith can certainly help fill the void of Dante Fowler Jr., while also offering better support against the run.
Another player that Moton mentioned as a match for the Commanders was veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Turning 33 in April, Keenan Allen has more left in the tank. Last season with the Chicago Bears, he caught 70 passes for 744 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns.
The six-time Pro Bowler only averaged 10.6 yards per catch last season, though he's never been a consistent big-play receiver. He's a chain-mover who can be a reliable red-zone threat, though.
As a rookie, Caleb Williams relied on Allen in a directionless offense that finished with the second-fewest passing yards and 28th in scoring for the 2024 campaign. The veteran receiver converted first downs on 43 out of his 70 catches.
He can do the same for a team with a young quarterback in the upcoming term. Perhaps the Tennessee Titans will reach out to him, though he could be looking for offers from playoff-contending squads after a frustrating year in Chicago.
This one doesn't really make sense for the Commanders. Samuel and Allen are different players, but if Washington is to add another receiver, either through free agency or the NFL draft, it's likely to be a speed guy. That's not Allen's game or ever has been. Additionally, any team signing Allen would have to look at last season and wonder if his better days are behind him. Allen to Washington would have made more sense one year ago. That time has passed.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire:
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