2024 offseason primer: New owner, GM, coach lead Commanders into new era

Here’s what you need to know about Washington’s offseason:

PROJECTED 2024 CAP SPACE:  $83.54M (most in NFL)

FREE AGENTS | Offense: QB Jacoby Brissett, RB Antonio Gibson, FB Alex Armah, WRs Curtis Samuel, Jamison Crowder, Byron Pringle, TE Brandon Dillon, OL Alex Akingbulu, Cornelius Lucas, Saahdiq Charles, Tyler Larsen, long snapper Tucker Addington

Defense: DEs Efe Obada, James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill, DTs David Bada, Curtis Brooks, LBs David Mayo, Cody Barton, Khaleke Hudson, Jabril Cox, CB Kendall Fuller, safeties Kamren Curl, Jeremy Reaves, Terrell Burgess

Special teams: Kicker Joey Slye

Outlook: While Washington has Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson at wideout, it would be good for business to re-sign Samuel, who has had 60 or more receptions and 600 or more yards receiving each of the past two years. He’s a key part of the team’s passing attack, and it would be smart to keep him around as a safety net for the QB the team likely will draft in April.

Lucas and Charles played some significant time at guard and center, respectively, this season, and there’s an argument for bringing both back for added offensive line depth. Barton and Curl were Washington’s two leading tacklers, and both should be at the top of Peters’ priority list as well. 

2024 DRAFT PICKS: Round 1 (No. 2 overall)| Round 2 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 3 | Round 4 |Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7

TOP DRAFT NEEDS (in order): QB, OT, edge-rusher, RB, CB — The Sam Howell experiment at QB lasted 18 starts (5-13 record) and now Washington can (presumably) move forward with either Southern Cal's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels. After they find their QB, the Commanders must do some serious revamping to an offensive line that allowed the second-most sacks in the NFL this season (65) along with 252 pressures and 177 hurries. Washington should leave April’s draft with multiple new offensive linemen. 

Brian Robinson, Antonio Gibson and Chris Rodriguez are fine runners, but none are starting NFL RBs. There are a lot of strong late-round backs the team could consider to help out its new QB. After trading ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the Commanders must find suitable replacements after getting just 29 combined sacks from the rest of their defense.

DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH:  Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams, North Carolina QB Drake Maye, LSU QB Jayden Daniels, Arizona OT Jordan Morgan, Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton, BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia, Utah edge Jonah Elliss, Troy edge Javon Solomon, Michigan RB Blake Corum

THREE 2024 STORYLINES TO WATCH: 

• Which of the “big three” QBs do Peters and Quinn want to build around?
• How much does having a new owner, GM and head coach improve fan support?
• Did Washington make the right call hiring Quinn over Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel?