Washington Offseason: Early Look at Offensive Free Agents
January 26, 2024
by David Earl
Offensive Free Agents Washington Could Target
With Adam Peters in place and what appears to be a proper offseason for Washington that has not happened in decades, there are two prime areas to target. As the quarterback position is almost certain to be addressed with the second overall pick and the offensive line will likely follow suit early in the draft. For a complete breakdown of the current offensive roster heading into the 2024 season click here. Regarding what could be of prime offensive targets in free agency, remember Adam Peters’ primary focus here is to supplement the roster during this time as he builds through the draft. With that said, a veteran quarterback plus depth on the offensive line are surely the top two priorities going forward, so let’s dive right in. The following projected 2024 market value comes from Spotrac.
Projected Quarterbacks
The consensus by most is that a quarterback will be selected with the top overall pick in this year’s draft, and that gives us a good idea of this team’s direction at this position. Players like Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield will be looking for a multi-year deal at a top-end starter salary so it’s fair to say they won’t be targets for Washington this offseason. As far as a veteran quarterback, I feel that will be determined by whether Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels are the team’s targets in the draft. The only exception is Jacoby Brissett, as he can function well inside and outside the pocket plus he is already in the building. Before his time in Washington, Brissett’s previous two seasons showed improvement, especially given that his completion percentage during his time in Cleveland was 64%. He would be a steady stopgap quarterback who wouldn’t cost nearly as much as the top-end free agents. If he moves on then the options I believe narrow down quite a bit.
Selecting Drake Maye could to a potential Ryan Tannehill addition to Washington. He’s not a flashy nor popular choice I’m sure, but at a projected market value of $4.9 million, he could be a solid mentor to Maye. In the last 3 seasons, Tannehill completed 66% of his passes with a quarterback rating of 88%, with a slightly better touchdown percentage, 3.5%, than interception percentage, 2.5. He would be the perfect veteran backup with the capability to start if Maye is not ready by week one.
If Washington selects Jayden Daniels, then the obvious choice, and probably the best-case scenario, for the backup role is Tyrod Taylor. While not the same runner as he was earlier in his career, Tyrod still managed 6.7 yards per attempt over the last 3 seasons and is an efficient passer with an 88.3 career quarterback rating. What makes Taylor the most sensible option is that whatever schematic design the new head coach desires to run with Daniels it’s a system Taylor should fit well into as well. This would allow the option to begin with Taylor starting, and not rushing the new rookie quarterback immediately under center, at a reasonable market value of $2.8 million.
| Player | Team | Age | 2023 AAV | 2024 Projected Market Value |
| Kirk Cousins | Minn | 35 | $35M | $39.9M |
| Baker Mayfield | TB | 28 | $4M | $27.1M |
| Jacoby Brissett | Was | 31 | $8M | NA |
| Gardner Minshew | Indy | 27 | $3.5M | $5.3M |
| Joe Flacco | Cle | 39 | $2.5M | NA |
| Jameis Winston | NO | 30 | $4M | $2.7M |
| Sam Darnold | 49ers | 34 | $4.5M | NA |
| Ryan Tannehill | Tenn | 35 | $29.5M | $4.9M |
| Tyrod Taylor | NYG | 34 | $5.5M | $2.8M |
Projected Running backs
If, as some predict, Washington hires current Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach,the direction at this position will almost certain. Brian Robinson Jr could potentially fill the role of David Montgomery in Detroit as the main in-between runner with his added plus side hands in the passing game. While they could go with a different option over Robinson, the biggest move at this position will be a true pass-catching running back who also offers a level of duel threat, such as Jahmyr Gibbs.
Clearly, the best passing-catching runner here is Austin Ekeler, but the fact that he’s 28 years old, and averaged 3.5 yards per carry average last season, yet retains a market value of $7.4 million could generate low interest for a rebuilding Washington team. Josh Jacobs is unlikely to simply leave the Raiders via free agency, and Saquon Barkley seems to have lost a step so they don’t appear realistic options.
The two intriguing running backs on this list are D’Andre Swift ($5.6 million market value) and Rashaad Penny, who had 3 rush attempts all season last year. Swift offers the most electric option here with a career average of 4.6 yards per attempt rushing, along with 49 receptions in 64 targets. While early in his career he struggled to stay healthy, last season he started 15 games, showing how valuable he can be in a committee approach. Seeing how Ben Johnson utilized Gibbs this past season and if Swift is comfortable assuming that role, this could be a perfect match for Washington. Penny could be the best bang for the buck, as he has a career average of 5.6 yards per attempt rushing. Underutilized last season, he possesses top-end speed and power with serviceable hands in the passing game. The only downside is, like Swift, he struggled to stay healthy early in his career.
| Player | Team | Age | 2023 AAV | 2024 Projected Market Value |
| Saquon Barkley | NYG | 26 | $10M | $6.6M |
| Josh Jacobs | LV | 25 | $11.8M | $10.8M |
| Tony Pollard | Dal | 26 | $10M | $6.6M |
| Austin Ekeler | LAC | 28 | $6.1M | $7.4M |
| D’Andre Swift | Phi | 25 | $2.1M | $5.6M |
| Derrick Henry | Tenn | 30 | $12.5M | $4.3M |
| Zack Moss | Indy | 26 | $1.1M | $4.6M |
| Devin Singletary | Hou | 26 | $2.7M | $4.3M |
| Antonio Gibson | Was | 25 | $1.2M | $3.6M |
| J.K. Dobbins | Bal | 25 | $1.40 | $2.1M |
| Gus Edwards | Bal | 28 | $4.5M | $3.6M |
| Ezekiel Elliot | NE | 28 | $3M | $2.7M |
| Kareem Hunt | Cle | 28 | $1.3M | $4.5M |
| Rashaad Penny | Phi | 27 | $1.3M | NA |
| Clyde Edwards | KC | 25 | $2.7M | $1.6M |
Projected Wide Receivers
This position group will be interesting to watch with the team captain of this unit Terry McLaurin under a long-term deal plus the promising 3rd year wideout Jahan Dotson. Terry is turning 29 years old and Dotson seemed to have regressed last season so what direction does this new regime go? If they decide to move on from McLaurin or think Dotson’s regression is a concern, Tee Higgins from the Bengals is surely going to be available. At age 25, this 6’4″ and 219lb receiver offers the prototypical player most offenses covet. Although his market value sits at $18.6 million, the realistic number he’ll likely demand is over $20 million. Is that an investment Adam Peters is ready to make?
If they decided to simply add depth behind McLauring and Dotson, I see a couple of different options. Resigning Curtis Samuel is one option that offers a similar dynamic as Deebo Samuels in both the run and pass game but lacks size. Or, the team could go for a bigger-bodied option who can play inside or outside and adds speed to stretch the field in Gabriel Davis at a reasonable $13.5 million market value. Regardless of direction, I do not see this being a high-priority focus this offseason as it’s unquestionably the strongest unit on offense. The only other player that is very likely to come is Detroit’s Josh Reynolds if Johnson indeed becomes the new head coach.
| Player | Team | Age | 2023 AAV | 2024 Projected Market Value |
| Tee Higgins | Cin | 25 | $2.1M | $18.6M |
| Mike Evans | TB | 30 | $16.5M | $23.8M |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | Indy | 26 | $2.1M | $22.7M |
| Calvin Ridley | Jax | 29 | $2.7M | $17M |
| Marquise Brown | Ari | 26 | $2.9M | $14.8M |
| Gabe Davis | Buff | 25 | $998K | $13.5M |
| Darnell Mooney | Chi | 26 | $894K | $10.4M |
| Curtis Samuel | Was | 27 | $11.5M | $11.5M |
| Tyler Boyd | Cin | 29 | $10.7M | $8.7M |
| K.J. Osborn | Minn | 26 | $890K | $7.5M |
| Odel Beckham Jr | Balt | 31 | $15M | $11.9M |
| Josh Reynolds | Det | 28 | $3M | $7M |
| DJ Chark | Car | 27 | $5M | $10.9M |
| Noah Brown | Hou | 28 | $2.6M | $5.6M |
| Cedrick Wilson | Mia | 28 | $7.3M | NA |
| Laviska Shenault | Car | 25 | $1.9M | NA |
| Quez Watkins | Phi | 26 | $866K | NA |
| Devin Duvernay | Balt | 26 | $1.1M | NA |
Projected Tight Ends
This position is simple as Washington needs multiple tight ends and the draft will not be enough. Logan Thomas has hit his peak. John Bates a more in-line blocking tight end who is average at best, to be honest. Dalton Schultz is the best on the market but it is highly unlikely the Texans allow this reliable target for their young quarterback to leave the building. After him, there are aging veterans in Hunter Henry and Gerald Everett who can certainly fill a necessary role but would only supplement a roster behind a potentially young rookie tight end. Simply put, if they don’t hit on the tight end in the draft and the Texans resign Schultz, next season looks to be more of the same at the position.
| Player | Team | Age | 2023 AAV | 2024 Projected Market Value |
| Dalton Schultz | Hou | 27 | $6.3M | $11.3M |
| Noah Fant | Sea | 26 | $3.1M | NA |
| Hunter Henry | NE | 29 | $12.5M | $7.1M |
| Mike Gesicki | NE | 28 | $4.5M | NA |
| Gerald Everett | LAC | 29 | $6M | $8.6M |
| Colby Parkinson | Sea | 25 | $991K | $2.6M |
| Adam Trautman | Den | 27 | $1.1M | $3.7M |
| Harrison Bryant | Cle | 26 | $1M | NA |
| Irv Smith Jr. | Cin | 25 | $1.7M | NA |
| Austin Hooper | LV | 29 | $2.7M | NA |
Projected Offensive Linemen
It is no secret just how bad this offensive line was this season. Even with the issues Sam Howell had, the unit finished near the bottom in every category. Outside of the solid and promising production of second-year tackle-turned-guard Samuel Cosmi, who had an 80.6 PFF grade, the rest of this unit leaves very little to be desired. Just how undesirable are they? Let’s look at their numbers via team rankings:
- Ranked 7th yards per attempt (4.4) which was a grossly underutilized bright spot
- Ranked 30th in sacks allowed per game (3.8)
- Ranked 28th in sack percentage allowed (9.27)
We will have a more thorough breakdown of offensive linemen later this offseason, but a couple names do stand out from this list. Trent Brown from the Patriots is one of the top pass-blocking linemen who can play on either the left or right side of the line, which adds versatility in the event Washington cannot select a true left tackle in the draft. Bengals tackle Johan Williams, a former first-round pick who has not progressed as much as they liked, is someone with the strength and body to move inside to guard, as did Cosmi. His athleticism will potentially work well in any type of outside run scheme requiring the guard to move out. Beyond that more research and evaluation will be needed once the new head coach is in place.
| Player | Team | Age | 2023 AAV | 2024 Projected Market Value |
| Tyron Smith (LT) | Dal | 33 | $12.2M | NA |
| Duane Brown (LT) | NYJ | 38 | $10M | NA |
| Donovan Smith (LT) | KC | 30 | $3M | NA |
| Jonah Williams (RT) | Cin | 26 | $4.4M | $14.9M |
| Trent Brown (RT) | NE | 31 | $6.5M | NA |
| Billy Turner (RT) | NYJ | 32 | $1.7M | NA |
| Kendall Lamm (RT) | Mia | 32 | $1.3M | NA |
| George Fant (RT) | Hou | 31 | $3M | NA |
| Jermaine Eluemunor (RT) | LV | 29 | $3M | NA |
| David Quessenberry (RT) | Min | 33 | $1M | NA |
| Charlie Heck (RT) | Hou | 27 | $1M | NA |
| Cornelius Lucas (OT) | Was | 33 | $3.3M | NA |
| Jonah Jackson (G) | Det | 27 | $1.2M | NA |
| Andrus Peat (G) | NO | 30 | $11.5M | NA |
| Robert Hunt (G) | Mia | 27 | $2M | $8.4M |
| Kevin Zeitler (G) | Bal | 33 | $7.5M | NA |
| Connor Williams ( C ) | Mia | 27 | $7M | $13.5M |
| Jon Runyan (G) | GB | 26 | $867K | NA |
| Kevin Dotson (G) | LAR | 27 | $988K | NA |
| Lucas Patrick (G) | Chi | 30 | $4M | NA |
| Aaron Brewer ( C ) | Ten | 26 | $4.3M | $5.2M |