Well Ahead of the Draft, Team Needs Identified - Cornerback

Every off season is loaded with entertainment, frustration, excitement and disappointment. Everybody wants the top players for their team and when those players come and go to other teams, the depression and loathing starts in a downward spiral.

Let's take a look at the team needs for the Commanders and understand that we have a lot of cap space, but that we have quite a few guys we need/should sign back to the current roster.

Cornerback

Currently, Marshon Lattimore has a year left on his deal he had with the New Orleans Saints, but he has been nothing but a headache since coming over to Washington. Penalties and aggressiveness are overwhelming with him and it makes it hard to think of signing him to an extension.

The list is not much longer outside of Mikey Sainristil who had an excellent rookie season.

In the secondary, the free agents for the Commanders are:

CB Free Agents

Michael Davis - On and off the active roster, but it didn't really matter. Davis was targeted by opposing teams than any other corner on the roster. His age and ability have caught up to him and he was consistent in giving up big plays to opposing WR's.

Prediction: Not resigned

Noah Igbhinoghene - A solid addition on a one year deal. Not the starter or boundary guy that will shut down the best WR's but he has a nose for the football and plays on special teams, so he could be a viable slot or dime CB for the long run.

Prediction: Resigned on a 2 year deal for above league minimum.

Benjamin St-Juste - Had the season to prove he could be a boundary corner but injuries and skills played a big part in his inability to play what was expected of him. Most thought he would have turned that corner by now, but its likely he will be on his way out.

Prediction: Not resigned

Draft Players to Watch At CB Position

1. Travis Hunter, Colorado - Dual position player who will not be at pick 29 for the Commanders.

2. Jahdae Barron, Texas - Barron has elite ball skills and is very fluid in playing the position. Has bulk to match up with receivers and depending on what he runs at the combine he could be out of reach for the Commanders at 29.

3. Will Johnson, Michigan - According to PFF, his overall grade has decreased by nearly 12 points since 2022. His size at 6'2 200 lbs makes him the ideal candidate but his snaps were cut in half due to injury in 2024.

4. Trey Amos, Ole Miss - Amos would be the ideal candidate for the Commanders at pick 29, but depending on the combine workouts, he could go higher. Since 2022, his ability to play his position has grown emphatically where his passer rating went from near 80 to just under 55.

If Trey Amos is available at 29 and is not taken earlier, I would believe that Adam Peters and Dan Quinn are adding Amos to the roster. He is a big time player with big time ability.

The only way this situation does not happen, is if the Commanders are able to get a cornerback in free agency like Byron Murphy. Murphy would be a huge signing for the Commanders and could really allow Sainristil to be that elite slot corner.

Byron Murphy

Potential Depth Chart:

1. Marshon Lattimore

2. Byron Murphy

3. Mikey Sainristil

4. Trey Amos (if Lattimore is not retained)

5. Noah Igbhinoghene

*Note - Because of the amount of capital traded for Marshon Lattimore, I fully expect the Commnaders to bring him on in 2025 to fulfill his contract and hopefully help some of the younger guys entering the league.

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