The Washington Commanders are going to be flush with cash this offseason, with a new report claiming they are willing to spend every bit of it and go after some top names on the open market.
According to ESPN's John Keim, "Although the Commanders will not spend recklessly, if there is a player they want who makes the most money on the market and is considered a good fit, they will spend to get him this offseason".
The Commanders are one of the five teams with the most cap space this offseason. However, they also have a lot of roster spots to fill, so they can't throw all their cash at the top talent on the market. But they could bring in several high-impact veterans from next week.
With that in mind, let's take a look at six big-name or impactful players the Washington Commanders could pursue in NFL free agency.
Alonte Taylor, CB
That area is around the corner, with Keim claiming the organization will look to "aggressively" look at upgrades in the coming weeks. An intriguing option is former New Orleans Saints second-rounder Alonte Taylor. The 27-year-old was a starter last season and showed his versatility covering both the outside and slot receivers. He should come at a reasonable rate and is at his peak. In Dan Quinn's system, he has Pro Bowler potential.
Stefon Diggs, WR
Are Stefon Diggs's best days behind him? Yes, but in Washington, a player viewed as a leader for the AFC champion New England Patriots doesn't need to be a WR1. In his first season after tearing his ACL, he posted over 1,000 receiving yards. A case can be made that he will get even better in the next year of recovery from injury. That means the Commanders can get him at a reasonable rate – after being cut by the Pats this week – and get a ton of bang for the buck.
Chig Okonkwo, TE
While it won't be the primary focus of the offseason, the Commanders will be aware of the tight market this offseason, and according to Keim, Tennessee Titans veteran Chig Okonkwo is a possibility.
The fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has shown solid promise in his first four seasons in the NFL. While his stats don't jump off the page, with bigger roles and star receivers garnering more attention, his speed and ability to make plays after the catch could make him a big contributor to the Commander's offense in 2026.
Trey Hendrickson, DE
Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is the biggest fish on the NFL free agent market this month. Additionally, EDGE is another post that commanders are reportedly willing to spend big on improving. When healthy, there have been few better pass rushers than Hendrickson in the NFL since 2020.
There is certainly risk in giving a big deal to a player with two 17.5 sack seasons on his resume at age 31 and after playing in only seven games last season. However, he immediately turns one of the worst defenses in the league last year into something much better.
Kenneth Walker, RB
Another area the Commanders are expected to target this offseason is the running back spot. There's a good chance that Austin Ekeler is waived, leaving Zachary Croskey-Merritt as the only RB on the roster. Washington could certainly look to add some more in the draft. However, the other option would be Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker.
He has been an above-average player in the backfield since entering the league in 2022 and played a key role in the Seattle Seahawks' championship run in 2025. He is a very reliable runner but is also a threat in the pass game. Running backs are getting very few paydays right now, they could add a reasonable number compared to the going rate for top NFL free agents.
Jaylen Phillips, EDGE
If the cost of signing Hendrickson is too high for the Washington Commanders, a backup option would be six-year veteran Jaylen Phillips. He is a talented player who can be both an edge setter and pocket disrupter from the linebacker spot. He will be a top target this offseason, and the only thing that could hurt Washington's chances is if a bidding war is created by teams that miss out on Hendrickson.
