Tag: Cole Holcomb setback

Which Washington Commanders are in the PFF Top 100 free agents?

Where is Daron Payne ranked? And are there any other Commanders ranked?

According to Pro Football Focus, who are the top 100 NFL players that are set to now enter free agency?

In addition, where does Pro Football Focus rank the Washington Commanders players entering free agency?

Daron Payne is certainly the leading Commander entering free agency. Payne, who made $8.529 million in 2022, has made no secret that his chief desire this offseason is to get what he feels is due him. PFF ranked Payne as the No. 9 player entering free agency in 2023.

Interestingly enough, not a single Washington Commanders player (other than Payne) was considered by PFF to be in the top 100 NFL free agents for this upcoming cycle.

Though Washington had a 5-3-1 record in games started by quarterback Taylor Henicke, PFF apparently was not overly impressed with Heinicke’s play in 2022.

Safety Jeremy Reaves was voted to be the special teams Pro Bowler, yet, PFF does not assess Reaves as one worthy of the top 100 2023 free agents either.

The only other Commanders free agent that I thought might have a chance of breaking into the top 100 but did not was linebacker Cole Holcomb. The former Tar Heel is only age 26 and was a four-year starter (2019-22). However, this past season Holcomb was only able to play and start in seven games, his last game being the home win over the Green Bay Packers.

Holcomb injured his foot and sat out a few weeks; however, there was not sufficient progress in healing, and it was determined surgery was his best option, which then ended his 2022 season.

Here is the PFF top ten 2023 Free Agents

  1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
  2. Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
  3. Javon Hargrave, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
  4. Jessie Bates, S, Cincinnati Bengals
  5. Jamel Dean, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  6. Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  7. Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots
  8. Orlando Brown, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
  9. Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders
  10. Mike McGlinchey, OT, San Francisco 49ers

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Commanders LB concern: Cole Holcomb to IR

Cole Holcomb was placed on IR, and he will be out for a minimum of four weeks.

Linebacker Cole Holcomb’s foot injury is not progressing; consequently, the starting linebacker has been placed on injured reserve.

Holcomb the sturdy linebacker out of North Carolina, started the Commanders first seven games of the season. The loss of Holcomb is substantial, evidenced by the fact that though Holcomb has been unable to play in the last four games, the former Tar Heel still leads the team in combined tackles (solo and assists) with 69.

Jamin Davis has continued to develop, or this loss of Holcomb would have been an absolute disaster. Davis has played in all 11 games and is second in tackles with 58 (38 solo, 20 assists).

Placing Holcomb (a four-year veteran) on the reserve/injured list, Friday, the Commanders activated LB Milo Eifler from the Reserve/Injured list. Eifler stands 6-foot-1 weighing 228. Thus Eifler is more mobile than Holcomb, Jon Bostic, or David Mayo.

Eifler has appeared in two games for the Commanders in 2022. He did not play any defensive snaps in the loss to the Cowboys in Week 4 while playing 13 special teams’ plays. In the Week 3 loss to the Eagles, Eifler played 19 special teams’ plays and six defensive plays.

Of note, three weeks ago, the Commanders in response to the Holcomb injury, brought up LB De’Jon Harris from the practice squad. Harris is bigger at 6-foot-0, 245 pounds. In weeks 9-11, Harris has played 19, 20 and 21 special teams snaps. He has yet to play a down on defense for the Commanders this season.

The Commanders will go into Sunday’s contest against the Falcons with Davis, Bostic, Eifler, Harris, Khaleke Hudson and David Mayo at linebacker.

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