A fan’s individual evaluation of top free agent Odafe Oweh most likely determines how they view Adam Peters’ first day of legal tampering. Opinions and grades vary, but everyone will agree more work needs to be done on the second day of legal tampering. Boxes have been checked for edge, cornerback, backup QB, interior defensive line, and starting left tackle. However, there are a number of needs still remaining, including a starting cornerback, wide receiver, safety, linebacker, running back, and tight
end. Fortunately, as the frenzy of the first day ends, teams can reshuffle their priorities and target value additions from the remaining free agent pool and recently released players. A short list of the best available from both groups is provided below, as Hogs Haven continues to cover the free agency period in 2026.
Cornerback
There were plenty of quality cornerbacks at the start of the free agent period, but also plenty of teams with a clear need at the position. Several top free agents went off the market, including Jaylen Watson and Montaric Brown. The Commanders added Amik Robertson, but he should not be viewed as more than a depth piece. The position is being hit hard early, so Adam Peters will need to move fast to secure a player with starting potential.
Tariq Woolen, Age 26: Riq Woolen carried several red flags into free agency, but he has the size and length to play the boundary. He has been inconsistent for a lot of his career, but proved he could play at a high level during the second half of last season and the postseason. Woolen’s valuation in free agency was widely variable and so far his market hasn’t materialized, but he has definite starting potential alongside Trey Amos.
Nahshon Wright, Age 27: The concern with Wright was paying a lot of money for what amounted to one breakout year of production. A lower price tag would make the Pro Bowl cornerback far more enticing, and at 6’4”, 199 pounds he definitely has the size and athleticism to play the boundary. Wright played under both Daronte Jones and Dan Quinn, so they should be able to effectively evaluate his fit for their new defense.
Rasul Douglas, Age 31: More of an emergency option at starting cornerback, Rasul continues to play at a high level at age thirty-one, and at 6’2”, 209 pounds he has the needed size to cover the boundary. Rasul is good in run support and can cover the slot. Nobody is going to be locking Douglas in long-term as he will turn thirty-two before the start of the season, but a one-year deal would make him a fine placeholder for a draft pick.
Linebacker
Devin Lloyd went off the market late in the first day of legal tampering, and his lower-than-projected contract is a reminder that teams need to see players as a fit in their system to invest. Multiple linebackers went off the market as well, but the position was fairly deep and has been restocked with recently released players:
Dre Greenlaw, Age 28: Released yesterday by the Denver Broncos, Greenlaw may be an immediate fit for the GM that knows him well from his time with the Niners. Familiarity is not the only reason Adam Peters should sign Greenlaw; at 6’0”, 237 pounds he has sideline-to-sideline speed and plus coverage ability. Injuries have been the primary concern, but on a short term deal he could be a fit in the middle of Daronte Jones’ defense.
Leo Chenal, Age 25: Chenal is highly athletic and strong in run support. His coverage skills need polishing, but he has shown improvement. As a purely rotational player for the first four years of his career, his valuation as a full-time starter is difficult to judge. Still, Chenal has the athleticism and desired age for the Commanders to take a chance on him. You can see his profile here.
Safety
The safety market was also hit hard the first day of legal tampering. Top candidates Bryan Cook and Coby Bryant flew off the market, and even mid-tier options like Dane Belton and Julian Blackmon were signed. Fortunately, the safety market is deep this year, and there are plenty of options in the draft:
Jaylinn Hawkins, Age 28: Hawkins is a versatile safety able to play in two-high and single-safety looks and move into the box in run support. He lacks a long history of production, but would project as a great fit in Daronte Jones’ three-safety system.
Jaquan Brisker, Age 26: Brisker is a versatile, do-it-all safety that would also be a fit in Jones’ system. He has issues with injuries, and had extended time missed with a concussion in 2024. He is also not a great coverage safety, but at 6’1″, 204 pounds he has the size and physicality to add to the Commanders’ safety room.
Tight End
Isaiah Likely had a hot market, and the Giants overpaid him to replace Wan’dale Robinson, who departed for the Titans. Cade Otton was the other top target but he was re-signed by the Buccaneers.
Chigozeim Okonkwo, Age 26: The move tight end and receiving threat has been well covered by Hogs Haven and should be a well-known target at this point. You can read his profile here.
David Njoku, Age 29: Njoku has a lengthy injury history and is starting to show signs of decline, but he’s had some great production in the past and is still relatively athletic. The Commanders shouldn’t be looking to sign him to a long-term deal, but Njoku does not have to be an every-down tight end for David Blough to provide him the receiving target he needs.
Running Back
Three down running backs went off the market early but there are still some free agents that can upgrade the room. Value free agent Kenneth Gainwell was also swept off the board early.
Rachaad White, Age 27: White leaves a lot to be desired in the running game, but perhaps with a superior line and a zone blocking scheme he can find his form. The big appeal is in pass protection and adding a receiving back for Jayden Daniels. You can read his profile here.
Wide Receiver
Adam Peter reportedly pursued Alec Pierce only for the top free agent wide receiver to remain with the Colts. Wan’dale Robinson quickly found a home with the Titans, and Mike Evans found one with the Niners. There are still several options available:
Romeo Doubs, Age 25: Doubs’ market has been slow to develop possibly because his asking price is too high. Lower-ranked options, Jalen Nailor and Tyquan Thornton were signed yesterday, while Romeo remains on the market. A young, productive wide receiver that can play on all three levels, Doubs projects as a strong WR2 for the team that lands him. You can read his profile here.
Jauan Jennings, Age 28: Jennings is getting older and has been inconsistent throughout his career, but Adam Peters knows him, and Jennings can still upgrade a wide receiver room that lacks proven talent. The big wide receiver is more of a possession than vertical threat.
Calvin Austin III, Age 26: Austin has been inconsistent throughout his career and can disappear from games, but on an affordable contract with 4.32 speed, he can be the vertical deep threat the Commanders need to stretch defenses opposite Terry McLaurin.
Center
It is hard to know what Adam Peters’ plan was at the center position when he released Tyler Biadasz, but hopefully it didn’t rely on Tyler Linderbaum, who was signed to a lucrative deal, or Cade Mays who was swept up by the Lions. Elgton Jenkins is an option, but is more of a power/gap player and struggled in zone at the pivot.
Matt Hennessey, Age 28: After being drafted in 2020 by the Falcons and being named their starter in 2021, Hennessey is a nice fit for a zone scheme and is a known quantity for Dan Quinn. Matt has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, but is still fairly young. He’s played over 1,000 snaps at center and has spent some time at guard, so at a minimum, he would be a good depth add.
Luke Fortner, Age 27: A third-round pick Fortner struggled in his early career but had a bit of resurgence with the Saints last season. His addition is all about fit, as he excelled at pass protection last year and is well suited for a zone scheme. You can read his profile here.
There is still plenty of talent available for the Washington Commanders on Day 2 of legal tampering so make sure to come back to Hogs Haven frequently for news and fan reactions.
