The Washington Commanders need a big offseason to get back on track after a disappointing 5-12 season. One year after winning 12 games and advancing to the NFC Championship Game, the Commanders finished the 2025 season as one of the NFL’s worst teams.

The good news is they have plenty of money to spend. But with over 30 internal free agents, Washington will be busy before March determining which of its own players it intends to keep. General manager Adam Peters made it clear at the end of the season that the Commanders needed to get “younger and faster.”

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Washington’s needs are plentiful, specifically on defense. Landing a top edge rusher is the most significant need, but the Commanders must improve a secondary that allowed too many plays and forgot how to tackle. Did we mention Washington must also replace future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner? While Wagner struggled badly in coverage last season, he was still productive and rarely came off the field. He hasn’t discussed his future, but the Commanders appear likely to opt for a “younger and faster” replacement.

Washington’s offensive needs are far fewer. The Commanders need another starting wide receiver, preferably one with speed, and a receiving tight end. It wouldn’t be shocking if Washington also targeted a running back.

That’s a lot of needs.

How will Washington approach free agency? That’s the million-dollar question. After largely sitting out of free agency last year, outside of signing Javon Kinlaw to a three-year deal, the Commanders need to be active. The defense needs more talent for new coordinator Daronte Jones, and Washington doesn’t have enough draft picks to fill all of its holes.

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Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports recently previewed the NFL free agency, predicting landing spots for the top 50 free agents. If the Commanders can sign the players Pereles mocks to them in free agency, fans should be happy.

First, it’s Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce, CBS’s No. 6 free agent.

Coach Dan Quinn and GM Adam Peters both expressed a desire to get younger and faster this offseason. Pierce is young (25) and fast: He’s led the NFL in yards per catch in consecutive seasons, and he became the first player since A.J. Brown in 2019 to go over 1,000 yards on at least 20 yards per catch.

We’ve mentioned how the Commanders could use Pierce before. He’d be the perfect complement to Terry McLaurin and give Jayden Daniels the type of field-stretching option he so badly needs.

Next is the No. 10 free agent, Packers linebacker Quay Walker.

Washington desperately needs to add youth, speed and athleticism across the defense especially, and the 25-year-old Walker fits the bill for what should be an overhauled unit.

The 25-year-old former first-round pick is another player we’ve linked to the Commanders. Walker has outstanding size and runs like a tight end. His game still needs refinement, but he has All-Pro potential.

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Finally, there is Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, ranked as CBS’ No. 32 free agent.

Washington needs to replace Zach Ertz, and Likely provides speed and athleticism Jayden Daniels hasn’t had at the position before.

Yet another player we’ve mentioned as a possibility for the Commanders. The Ravens chose to extend veteran Mark Andrews instead of Likely, almost guaranteeing he will hit free agency. Likely had a bit of a down year in 2025, but did miss nine games. In Washington, Likely would become the Commanders’ pass-receiving tight end, joining John Bates and Ben Sinnott to form a deep and versatile tight end room.

What do all of these players have in common? They are young and coming off their rookie contracts, the exact type of player you want to sign. If the Commanders are this active and aggressive, they could be a lot better in 2026. Of course, don’t be surprised if some of these free agents remain with their current teams by way of the franchise tag.

Pereles had two other predictions of note regarding the Commanders: Linebacker Bobby Wagner will retire and wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Los Angeles Chargers.

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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders predicted to land 3 top free agents