2025 Washington Commanders- All Things Offense

[method man]

Sporting news predicting us to let Deebo go and sign Juwan Jennings who was in San Fran with Peters.

Commanders predicted to ditch Deebo Samuel in favor of signing $36 million wide receiver | Sporting News

The Washington Commanders need to make a move at wide receiver this offseason, whether that be re-signing Deebo Samuel or another veteran in free agency. One analyst predicts the Commanders will opt for a projected $36 million wide receiver instead of keeping Samuel.

www.sportingnews.com

I don’t want Deebo back as I favor a more traditional slot receiver but they, in theory, can afford both

 

[Boone]

You get a legit #2 WR and legit pass-catching TE, both things we could accomplish in the offseason, that totally changes the value of a guy like Deebo who now doesn't have to be one of the focal points of your offense, but can focus on the slot role and be a versatile change of pace threat. He's very good in that role. Whether he is willing to sign for a reasonable salary to do that, that's a whole other thing.

 

[Bulldog]

I am all on board with the #2 receiver and pass catching TE.

Those are the keys to elevating Daniels in 2026.

But I don't see the need to resign the 30 year old Deebo. From what I see, a pass catching TE takes a lot of the under 15 yard grabs that were Samuel's staple in 2025.

We already have the 30/31 year old McLaurin in house for 2026 and need to get younger overall and so I favor moving forward with younger players where we can.

 

[Conn]

This is more minor but I also kind of want to see AP show flexibility and, through action, admit error in a way. He took a reasonable gamble on Deebo, I actually think it worked out well but the shape of the season made it pointless. But I don’t want to see him double down on it with a new contract just because he blew a 5th round pick. Yeah, sucks we were bad this year, sucks to have it be a one year rental. Tough titties, it happens, change course. Don’t stick with it if it doesn’t fit the roster construction, don’t repeat the Lattimore mistake (though Deebo is a functional player, but you all get the point).

That’s part of what I want to see. Learning lessons.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

This is more minor but I also kind of want to see AP show flexibility and, through action, admit error in a way. He took a reasonable gamble on Deebo, I actually think it worked out well but the shape of the season made it pointless. But I don’t want to see him double down on it with a new contract just because he blew a 5th round pick. Yeah, sucks we were bad this year, sucks to have it be a one year rental. Tough titties, it happens, change course. Don’t stick with it if it doesn’t fit the roster construction, don’t repeat the Lattimore mistake (though Deebo is a functional player, but you all get the point).

That’s part of what I want to see. Learning lessons.

Unless they also sign a legit WR2, TE and then also bring back Deebo on a reasonable deal. If Deebo is essentially your WR 3, and an option behind both starting WRs, TE and running game, that level of diversity would make the offense very difficult to defend.

If they bring him back as essentially the second option, I completely agree with you.

 

[method man]

Unless they also sign a legit WR2, TE and then also bring back Deebo on a reasonable deal. If Deebo is essentially your WR 3, and an option behind both starting WRs, TE and running game, that level of diversity would make the offense very difficult to defend.

If they bring him back as essentially the second option, I completely agree with you.

You’re likely talking about a $70M+ WR room in that case in that scenario. I hope Blough cans the importance of the Deebo type in his offense. The $15M+ AAV that would be spent on him would be better used on someone like Kam Curl.

I think the hack here would be bringing in not one but two receiving tight ends, the second guy being someone like a Dulcich on a 1 year $5M type of deal.

 

[DWinzit]

You’re likely talking about a $70M+ WR room in that case in that scenario. I hope Blough cans the importance of the Deebo type in his offense. The $15M+ AAV that would be spent on him would be better used on someone like Kam Curl.

I think the hack here would be bringing in not one but two receiving tight ends, the second guy being someone like a Dulcich on a 1 year $5M type of deal.

Your hack idea could work and would allow the 4th TE to be a mid-rounder. There appears to be a decent amount of capable players in the draft that could fit that need. If we go with Sinnott, Bates on one more TE they would need to be NFL ready so a FA.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I am good with bringing back at Deebo at the right price which I think is possible.

The very idea of why they likely went for Deebo last year is why I would be good with it this year. That is, a complementary #3 type. And guys likee Deebo are IMO tailor made for cole weather post season games -- physical YAC players.

I wasn't in favor of bringing back Lattimore. But I am good with Deebo depending on the price.

 

[Bulldog]

That's the key point - Washington needs to address the #2 WR position first and not confuse things by signing Samuel and then having to depend upon him as the #2 as we then drift in FA and the draft to other positions and end up back where we were at the end of 2025.

What is the right price, though? Hard to determine.

If Washington signs a player like Alec Pierce that's going to be a big contract given his big play numbers.

Also complicating this calculation is Washington potentially signing, trading for or drafting a pass catching TE that can start.

That player would in theory take a number of the catches away from someone in the hybrid role like Deebo who averages the 9 or 10 yards per catch that we see from TEs around the league.

 

[method man]

Your hack idea could work and would allow the 4th TE to be a mid-rounder. There appears to be a decent amount of capable players in the draft that could fit that need. If we go with Sinnott, Bates on one more TE they would need to be NFL ready so a FA.

I was basically thinking 2 veteran pass catching TEs, Bates and Sinnott as your TE/FB/H-Back group with Yankoff on the practice squad and getting called up when an injury happens to TE or some other position group

 

[Bulldog]

I think we go for a TE in free agency but it won't be Kyle Pitts as some on ESPN seemed to think.

It will be a guy that comes in for less money and perhaps embodies more the qualities of a complete TE, a guy that can catch and block so you don't have to take him off the field on critical downs.

To me the real money goes to WR.

I don't see many WRs in the draft that are going to be impact Year 1 guys, which we definitely need.

WR is a position where you usually see a guy start to really rise at age 24 or 25 and on that basis I would rather sign a guy like Pierce who has already gone through the 'hone your craft' phase.

 

[Conn]

I think we go for a TE in free agency but it won't be Kyle Pitts as some on ESPN seemed to think.

It will be a guy that comes in for less money and perhaps embodies more the qualities of a complete TE, a guy that can catch and block so you don't have to take him off the field on critical downs.

To me the real money goes to WR.

I don't see many WRs in the draft that are going to be impact Year 1 guys, which we definitely need.

WR is a position where you usually see a guy start to really rise at age 24 or 25 and on that basis I would rather sign a guy like Pierce who has already gone through the 'hone your craft' phase.

My point earlier (not saying you were addressing this, just reiterating) was that if you pay Pitts, you have to consider that the money IS going to a WR. Schematically that’s more so how you need to exploit having him on the roster, so you have to consider that money spent on a 6’6” WR.

I like Likely as well, more versatile and should come a little cheaper.

But for an all-around guy who can also block, who should come cheaper due to age and injuries, I do like Goedurt. 31, so some people would be upset. He’s had seasons where he was like having an extra OL on the field for the Eagles, and if their offense in recent years had abused the TE more between the 20’s and in the middle of the field (I think this is more of a Hurts limitation tbh) he’d be a lot more lauded.

I do acknowledge AP is signaling he wants to be pickier about taking risks on guys with injury histories, though.

But a TE corps of Goedurt, Bates, and Sinnott makes our 13 personnel a ridiculous problem for defenses in the run game, if Blough uses it. You can have some fun with Sinnott then, the way he blocks in space, and any of them could release on PA.

 

[method man]

My point earlier (not saying you were addressing this, just reiterating) was that if you pay Pitts, you have to consider that the money IS going to a WR. Schematically that’s more so how you need to exploit having him on the roster, so you have to consider that money spent on a 6’6” WR.

I like Likely as well, more versatile and should come a little cheaper.

But for an all-around guy who can also block, who should come cheaper due to age and injuries, I do like Goedurt. 31, so some people would be upset. He’s had seasons where he was like having an extra OL on the field for the Eagles, and if their offense in recent years had abused the TE more between the 20’s and in the middle of the field (I think this is more of a Hurts limitation tbh) he’d be a lot more lauded.

I do acknowledge AP is signaling he wants to be pickier about taking risks on guys with injury histories, though.

But a TE corps of Goedurt, Bates, and Sinnott makes our 13 personnel a ridiculous problem for defenses in the run game, if Blough uses it. You can have some fun with Sinnott then, the way he blocks in space, and any of them could release on PA.

I like Goedert too but, if you sign him, you’ll also need to sign a Dulcich, Waller or Ertz on the cheap to ensure you get receiving production out of the TE position once Goedert inevitably goes down. He is probably the best all around TE available in FA though and I doubt the Eagles keep him

 

[Bulldog]

Ertz at 35 suffered an ACL tear. His NFL career is over.

I don't see Washington signing a 31 year old TE in Goedert that was injured this past year for the Eagles.

I agree that we need to sign, trade for or draft a TE that can both be a factor in the passing game for Daniels and be a guy that can make a crucial block on third and short as well as be functional in pass protection.

I don't like seeing us have to have specialists that come in for the pass, then another guy that comes in to block on short yardage and inside the 20, etc.

 

[Conn]

Ertz at 35 suffered an ACL tear. His NFL career is over.

I don't see Washington signing a 31 year old TE in Goedert that was injured this past year for the Eagles.

I agree that we need to sign, trade for or draft a TE that can both be a factor in the passing game for Daniels and be a guy that can make a crucial block on third and short as well as be functional in pass protection.

I don't like seeing us have to have specialists that come in for the pass, then another guy that comes in to block on short yardage and inside the 20, etc.

It’s tough to get everything you want at a premium position like TE, that’s why I brought up a suboptimal move for a guy with injuries like Goedurt in the first place. There aren’t many players hitting FA who can block at a great level and receive at a very good or better level. Otherwise you’re hoping you can get what you need out of an extremely average guy like a Moreau or Trautman. Guys you don’t really want starting for you and who bring zero explosion to the passing game or pop to the run game, but are viable NFL players.

Looking for an all-around talent at TE, and wanting them to be healthy, and wanting them to be prime age…it’s a tough ask. You’re going to have to compromise somewhere. You have to compromise on receiving talent, or blocking talent, or age, or injury history. Or just be okay settling for a JAG body at the position.

 

[Commander Wraith]

It’s tough to get everything you want at a premium position like TE, that’s why I brought up a suboptimal move for a guy with injuries like Goedurt in the first place. There aren’t many players hitting FA who can block at a great level and receive at a very good or better level. Otherwise you’re hoping you can get what you need out of an extremely average guy like a Moreau or Trautman. Guys you don’t really want starting for you and who bring zero explosion to the passing game or pop to the run game, but are viable NFL players.

Looking for an all-around talent at TE, and wanting them to be healthy, and wanting them to be prime age…it’s a tough ask. You’re going to have to compromise somewhere. You have to compromise on receiving talent, or blocking talent, or age, or injury history. Or just be okay settling for a JAG body at the position.

And really, that’s the case with most positions (as you know). I’m actually not sure I totally love Peters’ comments about guys with injury history because of that same factor. But I believe he said something along the lines of they’ll need to look at players’ history, vs automatically ruling anyone out over it, so maybe it’s not that huge a deal.

Either way though, and I’ve said it before, I don’t really envy Peters’ job this offseason.

 

[DWinzit]

^ Oh, I was under the impression AP said they would scrutinize more players injury history to try avoiding some of the Noah B type situations from last season

What ever TE they bring in had better have good hands, be able to separate and have some YAC ability. It does remove many of the FA options and almost questions if Yankoff as TE4 makes the squad only because it is not as rich a pool as it initially appeared to be and some could still sign with their existing team

 

[Ashburn Dave]

Top 2026 Tight End Free Agents

• Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons): Expected to be a top target.
• David Njoku (Cleveland Browns): A veteran option with significant starting experience.
• Dallas Goedert (Philadelphia Eagles): Solid receiving threat scheduled for free agency.
• Isaiah Likely (Baltimore Ravens): A younger, high-upside target.
• Chigoziem Okonkwo (Tennessee Titans): Athletic option with proven upside.
• Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Reliable starter coming off a high snap count in 2025.
• Tyler Conklin (Los Angeles Chargers): Experienced veteran.
• Noah Fant (Cincinnati Bengals): Reliable athletic tight end.
• Adam Trautman (Denver Broncos): Solid blocker and receiver.
• Taysom Hill (New Orleans Saints): Versatile offensive weapon.

Other Notable Potential Free Agents

• Durham Smythe (Chicago Bears)
• Austin Hooper (New England Patriots)
• Darren Waller (Miami Dolphins)
• Marcedes Lewis (Denver Broncos)
• Robert Tonyan (Kansas City Chiefs)
• Jelani Woods (Indianapolis Colts)
• Charlie Kolar (Baltimore Ravens)
• Kylen Granson (Indianapolis Colts)

Note: These listings are based on projections for the 2026 offseason, and contract status can change due to extensions or releases.

 

[DWinzit]

I still think Likely is the best all around option.
A YAC guy they could go after is Fant. I know he has had decent numbers. I don't know if he got bigger and stronger than when he was drafted or better with separation.
Over the years we have talked about Njoku fitting the bill as well.

 

[Anselmheifer]

You’re likely talking about a $70M+ WR room in that case in that scenario. I hope Blough cans the importance of the Deebo type in his offense. The $15M+ AAV that would be spent on him would be better used on someone like Kam Curl.

I think the hack here would be bringing in not one but two receiving tight ends, the second guy being someone like a Dulcich on a 1 year $5M type of deal.

I was actually thinking about out of the box higher end investments we could make this year, and thought that signing Pitts AND Likely, AND Breece Hall, would make for a fascinating dynamic. Think about all of the different formations and plays that we could run out of this 2 TE set. Of course, never going to happen.