The Washington Commanders could look a lot different in 2024. Washington already moved on from defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, shipping them out at the trade deadline.
The Commanders are expected to have approximately $90 million in salary cap room for 2024. In addition to that cap space, they will likely have a new general manager, coaching staff and five picks in the first round of the NFL draft.
But before Washington spends in free agency, it must decide what to do with its own free agents. The Commanders have several notable free agents in 2024, led by Kendall Fuller, Kam Curl and Antonio Gibson.
How does the rest of the NFL view Washington’s impending free agents?
Pro Football Focus recently ranked the top 50 free agents for 2024. Two Commanders were among the top 25 on the list.
First, we’ll start with Fuller at No. 15:
Fuller has been the lone bright spot in the Commanders’ cornerback room in 2023, and while he’s been plenty capable as a wide cornerback, perhaps his prior experience in the slot and at safety could be attractive to teams that desire the ability to move the savvy Fuller around as he and his game ages.
PFF projects Fuller to receive a three-year deal worth up to $40 million.
Next, Curl came in at No. 21:
Curl has quietly been one of the more underrated players in the NFL over the past several seasons, with his status as a seventh-rounder and his name getting lost in the shuffle on a defense that, up until this year’s trade deadline, was riddled with first-round talent.
Curl can line up anywhere and is as consistent as safeties come on a down-to-down basis, possessing good instincts and a clear understanding of how to manipulate leverage and angles in the open field.
PFF projects the franchise tag for Curl.
This hasn’t been Curl’s best season, but that’s not necessarily his fault. Washington’s defense as a whole has underperformed. The Commanders could have traded Curl at the deadline but they were clear they see him as a part of their future.
Chase Young was also on the list, coming at No. 28.