Having come within a game of the Super Bowl in the 2024-2025 season, the Washington Commanders are not sitting idle. The team made several key additions, including WR Deebo Samuel Sr. and LT Laremy Tunsil, and looks like a true Super Bowl contender in 2025.
Commanders Climb to No. 6 Spot in Post-Free Agency NFL Power Rankings
Washington is in win-now mode as it looks to take advantage of having an explosive quarterback on his rookie deal. Consequently, they made a flurry of moves in the offseason. In addition to Samuel and Tunsil, the Commanders added DT Javon Kinlaw, DE Deatrich Wise Jr., CB Jonathan Jones, and S Will Harris.
Washington also prioritized continuity, re-signing Zach Ertz, Bobby Wagner, and Noah Brown. With a few more upgrades expected in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Commanders look better on paper than they did last season.
The Commanders have climbed to the No. 6 spot in PFSN’s Post-Free Agency NFL Power Rankings by Kyle Soppe, thanks to their free agency splash. With the talent they’ve added and their NFC Championship Game appearance last season, there is no reason to think the Commanders won’t have a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at Levi’s Stadium following Super Bowl 60.
“The Washington Commanders are fully embracing win-now mode, looking to capitalize on Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract. Their offseason moves reflect that urgency.”
“Trading for Deebo Samuel plays directly to Daniels’ strengths, while re-signing Zach Ertz maintains continuity. Adding Laremy Tunsil ensures Daniels has protection, a crucial factor in his development.”
“Washington’s defense remains a work in progress, but the front office is making savvy short-term moves, signing Bobby Wagner, Will Harris, and Tress Way to short deals. The Commanders won eight more games in 2024 than in 2023, and they appear motivated to prove last season was no fluke.”
The Commanders ranked sixth in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last year, and acquiring Tunsil and Samuel should help elevate that. However, the moves didn’t come without a cost. Washington parted ways with a 2025 fifth-round pick for Samuel, as well as a third- and seventh-round pick in 2025 and a second- and fourth-round pick in 2026 for Tunsil.
In return, the Commanders also received a 2025 fourth-round pick. However, they are only set to have five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, with two of them outside the top 200.
Regardless, Washington’s free agency activity earned a B+ grade and “winner” status in PFSN’s Winners and Losers From NFL Free Agency (So Far). The Commanders have been making moves to give Daniels more support in his sophomore season, as the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year will look to build on his 2024 campaign.
Will the Defensive Additions Be Enough?
Getting Daniels new weapons and better protection was a priority, and the Commanders addressed those easily with the trades for Samuel and Tunsil. However, the additions on defense could leave some cause for concern. Kinlaw had a somewhat disappointing stint with the San Francisco 49ers and looked okay with the New York Jets, but $30 million guaranteed is a lot when the Commanders let Jonathan Allen walk.
Overall, the Commanders’ defense was their downfall in 2024. According to PFSN’s Defense+ rankings, the Commanders finished the regular season ranked 17th with a 73.2 grade. However, if you were to rank them according to their Defense+ grade with their postseason matchups included, Washington’s 68.7 drops them to 25th in the rankings.
Sterling Xie said, “Against three high-powered offenses in the playoffs, Washington couldn’t rely on its defense in any of those games, resulting in a rough end to its magical season. In the NFC Championship Game, Washington recorded a season-worst 58.4 (F) grade.”
“Washington gave up a playoff record-tying seven rushing touchdowns to the Eagles, which resulted in a ghastly -0.35 EPA per rush allowed. That was the 10th-worst by any defense this season, but somehow an improvement over Washington’s run defense in the Divisional Round vs. Detroit (-0.50 EPA per rush).”
“Ultimately, it’s tough to judge Dan Quinn’s unit too harshly since this was supposed to be a rebuilding season. Quinn will have another offseason to revamp this unit, and his track record of excellence as the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator suggests that the Commanders should have a defense more capable of complementing Jayden Daniels and the offense in 2025.”
Bringing Wagner back leaves a solid leader for a defense that exceeded expectations in 2024. Losing Jeremy Chinn to the Raiders hurts, and the Commanders hope Harris can fill that hole effectively. Still, Washington must hit on some defensive contributors with limited chances in the 2025 NFL Draft.