The Washington Commanders are heading into a pivotal offseason, and new head coach Dan Quinn isn’t easing into the job. With a top-10 draft pick and a roster in need of serious upgrades, particularly on defense, the pressure is on to get things right-and fast.
Quinn’s decision to roll with young coordinators speaks to a bold, future-focused vision. But for that vision to take hold, the front office needs to hit on some smart, under-the-radar moves in free agency.
Let’s talk about three free agents who may not make the loudest headlines but could be game-changers in Washington.
1. Jalen Phillips - Edge Rusher
This one makes too much sense. Jalen Phillips fills an immediate need for a defense that fell flat in 2025, especially on the edge. The Commanders need juice off the line, and Phillips brings exactly that-when healthy.
Now, it’s true Phillips hasn’t been the kind of sack machine that jumps off the stat sheet, but dig a little deeper and the impact is there. According to Pro Football Focus, after being traded to the Eagles midseason, Phillips posted a 70.2 pass-rush grade from Week 10 onward and generated 44 total pressures. That’s not just solid-that’s disruptive.
His 77.1 pass-rush grade for the season was the second-best of his career, and he ranked in the top 20 among qualifying edge defenders in pass-rush win rate. For a 26-year-old former first-round pick, those are the kind of numbers that scream breakout potential-especially in the right system.
Phillips is also at a crossroads in his career. He’s entering free agency for the first time and weighing his options carefully.
“I don’t really know,” Phillips said when asked if he’d stay in Philly. “It’s up to my agent and ultimately up to me, too... I want to be on a competitive team, in an environment where I love the guys I’m around and love the organization that I’m playing for.”
That’s exactly the kind of mindset Quinn should want in his locker room-hungry, focused, and ready to prove something.
2. Odafe Oweh - Edge Rusher
If Washington wants to double down on fixing its pass rush-and frankly, it should-then Odafe Oweh is another name worth circling in red ink. A midseason trade from Baltimore to the Chargers lit a fire under Oweh, and he responded with the best football of his career.
In just 12 games with Los Angeles, Oweh racked up 7.5 sacks. But it was his performance in the Wild Card round against New England that really turned heads: three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a relentless motor that screamed “big-game player.”
PFF graded him as one of the league’s most efficient edge rushers post-trade, ranking 11th in pass-rush win rate at 16.5%. That’s elite territory.
The Chargers will likely try to keep him, and for good reason. At 27, he’s entering his prime and just now starting to show the full range of his pass-rush arsenal. But if Washington can make a strong enough pitch, Oweh could be a cornerstone piece alongside (or instead of) Phillips.
And let’s be honest-this team can’t afford to miss at edge again. Whether they draft one at No. 7 or not, adding a proven disruptor in free agency is a must.
3. Alec Pierce - Wide Receiver
Let’s flip to the offensive side for a moment. Jayden Daniels showed flashes of real promise as a rookie, but he needs more weapons-specifically, someone who can stretch the field and make defenses pay deep. Enter Alec Pierce.
Pierce quietly had a breakout year in 2025, ranking 16th among all wide receivers in PFF’s receiving grade (81.0) and 17th in yards per route run (2.10). That’s not just good-it’s top-tier territory.
But what really stands out? Pierce led the entire league in average depth of target (20.0 yards) and yards per reception (21.3). He’s a vertical threat in the purest sense, capable of flipping the field and making contested catches look routine.
At 25, Pierce is entering his prime, and he’s not just a one-trick pony anymore. According to The Athletic, he’s expanded his route tree and become a more complete receiver, adding value in the short and intermediate game as well.
Pairing Pierce with Terry McLaurin would give Daniels a dynamic 1-2 punch. McLaurin’s precise route running and reliability underneath would complement Pierce’s explosiveness perfectly. It’s the kind of move that could unlock a new level for this offense.
Bottom Line
The Commanders have a lot of work to do this offseason, but the blueprint is clear: fix the defense and give your young quarterback the tools to succeed. Jalen Phillips and Odafe Oweh would go a long way toward revamping the pass rush, while Alec Pierce could be the vertical weapon that takes the offense from promising to dangerous.
Dan Quinn is betting on youth and energy on the sidelines. Now, it’s time to bring in the talent on the field to match.