The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[method man]

Luke averaged 29.6 YPR on 28 returns
Deebo averaged 30.1 YPR on 17 returns
Iffy averaged 27.3 YPR on 7 returns.

The only other player with 7 or more returns was something called Chase Edwards who only averaged 21.4. So that tells me that Luke is not at the top of the league and was relying on excellent blocking.

Washington Commanders 2025 NFL Regular Season Players Stats - ESPN

Full player stats for the 2025 Regular Season Washington Commanders on ESPN. Includes team leaders in passing, rushing, tackles and interceptions.

www.espn.com

Noah is one of our most underrated players. I have no idea why the FO sidelined him and kept trying to trade him this year. He plays a solid nickel, can go outside and has been solid as a return man.

Hoping he comes back but, if you were him, why would you?

 

[method man]

Jake Moody is 6 for 6 on FGs and his only missed PAT was blown by the wind. He was also 8-9 for the Bears. He was a 3rd round pick so clearly he was great in college. Maybe he's one of those guys who figured it out after leaving SF. I'm fine bringing him back,

As Howard Gutman pointed out to Sheehan, they certainly don’t trust him to kick 55 yard FGs. They’ve punted instead of doing that in a lost season.

Bring in the top UFL kicker to compete with him and use the IPP practice squad spot on a South American or European soccer player to train as a kicker

 

[skinzplay]

My post was speaking more to his continued development method man, over the course of which we'll hopefully see some impressive play at wideout. As the young players get more opportunities, I do think they'll move us towards believing their selection was warranted.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Luke averaged 29.6 YPR on 28 returns
Deebo averaged 30.1 YPR on 17 returns
Iffy averaged 27.3 YPR on 7 returns.

The only other player with 7 or more returns was something called Chase Edwards who only averaged 21.4. So that tells me that Luke is not at the top of the league and was relying on excellent blocking.

Washington Commanders 2025 NFL Regular Season Players Stats - ESPN

Full player stats for the 2025 Regular Season Washington Commanders on ESPN. Includes team leaders in passing, rushing, tackles and interceptions.

www.espn.com

He's a scrub, even I can get 30 yards per return with the elite blockers of this team.

Who the heck is Iffy?

 

[skinsinparadise]

Yeah SIP, I'm eager to see how Luke continues to develop under Engram and Izzy, two very good teachers. He's well-placed to do just that.

Agree. They got a good O line. A good special teams unit -- if they figure out kicker.

RBs decent -- don't love the unit but not bad.

WRs -- even though I blasted the depth of it and lack of a true Z before the season. I think the depth assuming they bring back Burks is good enough now albiet sucked at the start of the season.

So on offense IMO they need a Z, a good one. Outside of that, I think they are fine even though I'd love a gamebreaker like Love at RB.

It's clearly all hands on deck to fix the defense.

 

[method man]

He's a scrub, even I can get 30 yards per return with the elite blockers of this team.

Who the heck is Iffy?

I think he means Igbinoghene

 

[method man]

My post was speaking more to his continued development method man, over the course of which we'll hopefully see some impressive play at wideout. As the young players get more opportunities, I do think they'll move us towards believing their selection was warranted.

I get it. I’m just saying bring in legit roster competition for as many of these 2024 picks as possible. All of them sans JD should be fighting for a roster spot in camp and AP has done his job of 1 or 2 of these guys gets cut for a better player

 

[skinsinparadise]

I think he means Igbinoghene

OK, on this metric he has 14.7 on 7 returns, maybe they have it wrong?

Washington Commanders Kickoff Returns Player Stats | Sports Interaction

news.sportsinteraction.com

 

[method man]

OK, on this metric he has 14.7 on 7 returns, maybe they have it wrong?

Washington Commanders Kickoff Returns Player Stats | Sports Interaction

news.sportsinteraction.com

Then i have no idea who “Iffy” is

 

[skinzplay]

I get it. I’m just saying bring in legit roster competition for as many of these 2024 picks as possible. All of them sans JD should be fighting for a roster spot in camp and AP has done his job of 1 or 2 of these guys gets cut for a better player

One of the things Keim said today is that we need multiple playmakers on both sides of the ball, but they also need to be on the field so they can make plays. He really emphasized the lack of playmakers on the roster. Brought up Magee again on that point.

We absolutely have to address WR in both FA and the draft.

 

[skinsinparadise]

One of the things Keim said today is that we need multiple playmakers on both sides of the ball, but they also need to be on the field so they can make plays. He really emphasized the lack of playmakers on the roster. Brought up Magee again on that point.

We absolutely have to address WR in both FA and the draft.

They need IMO a great-elite player on defense. And two good pass rushers at a minimum.

It's part of the reason why I'd be OK if they drafted Downs -- they need a dude who is great at what they do, not good but great IMO. Someone who can change the game.

I don't think they need a ton on offense. But they need another WR who can threaten a defense down the field where its not just Terry or bust at WR.

 

[skinzplay]

Yessir, SIP! But if we draft/acquire an elite player, man I'm gonna be mad as hell if we don't have a defensive scheme that uses him in ways he should used (hopefully THEY if we can get a few playmakers on that unit).

Keim hit that WR point today too. We can't ignore that position or half-step on it. As several of you guys have pointed out, the Bears have surrounded Caleb with weapons you have to gameplan for.

 

[skinsinparadise]

lol, I've never really had a detailed conversation about special teams so never bothered to look at stats or to see if there are PFF grades for it. But indeed there is. So PFf for better or worse is supposed to factor context including blocking.

They combine punt returns and klck returns together. Here is how this team's guys rank. They will rank though any return so even guys with a few will be in the mix so don't take the overall number that seriously and again I don't live and die with PFF.

A. Luke 7th (in combined best kick returner or punt returner: 85.2 grade, a hair from tied for 5th.

B. Deebo 61.6 grade. 88th ranked. Surprised by that. I'd love the explanation lol from them about it.

C. Noah at 61.1 96th ranked. They have him at 27 YPR unlike the other site which shows it lower.

They have Lane as the 10 best punt returner but just a hair from tied for 5th, with about an 80 grade.

For kick return grades

 

[skinsinparadise]

Then i have no idea who “Iffy” is

Their stat could be right, and the one I pulled could be wrong. PFF has it similar with the bigger number but then they gave Noah I a crappy grade for returns so that's a bit confusing.

 

[method man]

Yessir, SIP! But if we draft/acquire an elite player, man I'm gonna be mad as hell if we don't have a defensive scheme that uses him in ways he should used (hopefully THEY if we can get a few playmakers on that unit).

Keim hit that WR point today too. We can't ignore that position or half-step on it. As several of you guys have pointed out, the Bears have surrounded Caleb with weapons you have to gameplan for.

skinzplay That’s an issue I have with Downs. Not his fault but a bad DC can completely waste a player like him. In many situations, I think back 7 is most susceptible to quality of DC.

 

[bowhunter]

They need IMO a great-elite player on defense. And two good pass rushers at a minimum.

It's part of the reason why I'd be OK if they drafted Downs -- they need a dude who is great at what they do, not good but great IMO. Someone who can change the game.

I don't think they need a ton on offense. But they need another WR who can threaten a defense down the field where its not just Terry or bust at WR.

I agree, this offense "only" needs a #1/2 WR and maybe a TE. Break the bank in FA to fix that.
Our D however, needs help in a lot of spots. I'd spend #1 on Downs and a ton in FA for a CB, a green dot, and edge, (maybe 2). And a great DC. There's a lot of work to be done this off season, we're gonna get to how if Peters is what we hoped for.

 

[SkinsLife]

The problem is we dont have a single elite player on this team. I am watching Niners play and see elite players and coaching consistently carrying their team. We have no elite coaching, and I fault Peters and Quinn as well as the shit show of coaches prior for no elite players. You can very rarely trade for elite players... you have to draft them.. and Peters drafts so far leave a lot to be desired. Until he starts drafting better... we are in for world of disappointment.

 

[RedWolf]

I'm very sad to see we need so much drastic help

 

[Faithful Fan]

He needs to make a leap as a receiver and needs to be competing for a roster spot next camp

I don’t really remember him doing anything impressive as a receiver this year. It felt like all his big plays as a receiver came due to busted coverages

Luke wasn’t getting many targets, but his three touchdowns this season is still tied with Terry McLaurin for third on the team behind Ertz and Deebo.

Also, he made this catch the week before he got hurt:



That plus his versatility as a returner and college QB, and honestly the fact that both his dad and brother were great players, yeah he is for sure on the roster next year.

 

[DogofWar1]

When do we start the discussion of, if the Rams don't re-sign him, bringing back Kam Curl?