The start of the week marked the unofficial start of the NFL Offseason as the Legal Tampering Period allowed teams to start negotiating with free agents. One of the most interesting teams to watch were the Commanders coming off of an NFC Championship appearance with loads of salary cap space. As LSU star Jayden Daniels made the perfect transition to the NFL it allowed the Commanders the chance to go for it this offseason.
In his rookie season, Jayden Daniels rewarded the team's decision to draft him 2nd overall by taking the team to the NFC Championship Game winning Rookie of the Year along the way. This offseason the Commanders are returning the favor by building a better team around Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders started to surround Jayden Daniels with a higher level of talent when they swung a trade to nab San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel. Landing Samuel gives Jayden Daniels a unique weapon as he's more of a weapon than a traditional receiver. Samuel gives Daniels a player the defense has to account for which won't only help Daniels as a passer but it'll open up rushing lanes whenever Samuel is in motion.
As a Rookie, Jayden Daniels had an experienced safety blanket in veteran tight end Zach Ertz. When paired with Jayden Daniels, Ertz put together his best season since 2020 which the Commanders rewarded by resigning Ertz keeping a familiar piece in the offense.
The biggest investment the team has made by far is trading for Houston Texans Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil. In 2024, Tunsil continued his remarkable career allowing pressures on just 2.9% of his snaps which ranked second among Left Tackles. The move gives the Commanders a cornerstone Left Tackle that can help protect Jayden Daniels allowing him more time to find his weapons in the passing attack.
The Commanders have also poured a significant amount of resources into their defense resigning Bobby Wagner while signing defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw to a massive deal. The impressive part is the Commanders still have a massive amount of cap space meaning they're likely far from done making moves.
While the Commanders have dipped into their draft capital with trades for Deebo Samuel, Marshon Lattimore, and Laremy Tunsil the team still has plenty of picks in this draft. The Commanders have a two top 100 picks and six total draft picks which gives the team the chance to further add younger pieces on the same timeline as Jayden Daniels.
It'll be interesting too see where the team turns next in Free Agency and if they make another trade as the Commanders have enough talent to go on another deep run in the Playoffs.