Signing an experienced, proven left tackle tops the list of three objectives facing the Washington Commanders after 2024 minicamp.
Minicamp is in the books, but there are still a few things on the to-do list for the Washington Commanders. Three things to be exact.
The first should involve plundering the remainder of free agency to find help at left tackle and cornerback. Both positions could use an infusion of proven, marquee talent.
It's arguably a more pressing need at left tackle, where journeyman Cornelius Lucas or third-round pick Brandon Coleman will be the blindside protector for Jayden Daniels. Either option represents too big of a risk to take with the safety of Washington's designated franchise quarterback.
There are more choices at cornerback, but few of the options inspire confidence. It doesn't help 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr. continues to look out of place. Or that new arrivals Michael Davis and Noah Igbinoghene have a lot to prove.
Fortunately, the Commanders can easily solve this problem by choosing from three big-name veterans who are still left on the market.
Before general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn make that call, they'll want to put their heads together and decide the long-term future of one of the few players who emerged from last season with any credit.
Commanders should extend Sam Cosmi
Having a career-best year on an offensive line that surrendered 65 sacks must've been bittersweet for Sam Cosmi. Even so, the 25-year-old can take heart from establishing himself as one of the few sure things along a reshuffled front five.
Cosmi is a player on the rise after successfully cracking the transition from tackle to guard, so the Commanders shouldn't delay securing his services for the long haul. Especially since interior blockers have grown in importance during recent seasons.
There's been a proliferation of dominant pass-rushing defensive tackles, started by Aaron Donald. This trend was continued by players like Chris Jones, Quinnen Williams, Dexter Lawrence II, Justin Madubuike, and the Commanders' own Daron Payne.
The emergence of so many interior game-wreckers, along with defensive coordinators' fondness for inside blitz packages, made a quality guard the quarterback's new best friend. It's why Daniels will lean on Cosmi after the latter finished last season giving pass-rushers short shrift, per PFF Commanders.
Peters has the cap space to extend Cosmi's deal before this season gets underway. The question is does the new regime have the appetite for risk to justify paying a player based on only one good season?
Given the growing importance of dominant guards in today's NFL, the risk of not adding years to Cosmi's contract would be even greater. Although perhaps not as great as rolling into the 2024 campaign with the current options at left tackle.
Commanders need to raid the left tackle market
On the surface, nothing was alarming about both Cornelius Lucas and Brandon Coleman getting reps with the first team during the Washington Commanders' mandatory minicamp. The fact neither staked a strong claim to be the clear-cut starter is cause for concern.
It's one more reason why the Commanders need to raid the veteran market for left-tackle help. Preferably, an established blocker who can step in and solidify the position if needed, but at least act as dependable depth.
Finding a free-agent lineman who ticks both boxes shouldn't be a problem. Not when Donovan Smith, D.J. Humphries, and David Bakhtiari are all still without a team.
Smith won Super Bowls with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs. His pedigree includes helping to keep quarterbacks the stature of Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes upright in key moments. That should be a seal of approval for Jayden Daniels.
A similar endorsement could be given for Humphries. At least from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who coached the player to a Pro Bowl season with the Arizona Cardinals. He protected the blindside for 2019 No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray, so he's a good fit to also keep Daniels clean.
Bakhtiari has similar experience protecting a franchise passer. It's what he did for Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers before injuries struck and laid one of the game's best pass-blockers low.
Any one of Bakhtiari, Humphries or Smith would give the Commanders a feeling of assurance at what's arguably the second-most important position in football.
If left tackle trails only quarterback in significance, then cornerback is a strong candidate for third most important. It's why Dan Quinn can't ignore the quality names still looking for work, including an award winner he knows very well from his time with the Dallas Cowboys.
Signing a marquee veteran CB should be Commanders' priority
J.C. Jackson's penchant for creating turnovers makes him a more exciting fit, but Dan Quinn may feel more comfortable signing Stephon Gilmore to improve the cornerback room. The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year allowed the Washington Commanders' new head coach to call his preferred brand of defense in Dallas.
It's a scheme built around relentless pressure in front of physical, man-to-man coverage. This risky way to combat offenses demands corners who can thrive on an island, something Gilmore has done for most of his career.
He gave an example of his enduring ability to track even the best wide receivers all over the field with plays like this one against Philadelphia Eagles' Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, from last season.
Gilmore's 33 years old, but he wants to prolong his playing days. This is based on comments he made during Tom Brady's induction into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, via MassLive.com's Nick O'Malley:
"Being patient right now. I feel good, Year 13, been playing a long time. So I’m just being patient and waiting for the right opportunity."
- Stephon Gilmore via MassLive.com
Quinn's working relationship with Gilmore could provide the right opportunity. This is an obvious chance to practically walk into a starting job alongside Benjamin St-Juste.
A trio comprised of Gilmore and St-Juste on the outside, with second-round pick Mike Sainristil manning the slot, would give Quinn the bruising cover men he needs to make his press-man schemes work. Relying on this group would be more of a sure thing than counting on Forbes to make a second-year leap.
The Commanders have the budget to put team-friendly, veteran contracts in front of Gilmore and Smith, while still having the funds to lock up Cosmi's future.
Those moves would better equip a roster that's already been skilfully rebuilt in key areas, to surprise a few people this season.
