Tag: Jeremy Reaves Pro Bowler

Commanders tender offer to RFA Jeremy Reaves

Jeremy Reaves will be back in 2023 — and likely longer.

The Commanders lost Taylor Heinicke Tuesday, but they tendered restricted free-agent safety Jeremy Reaves.

Reaves being a restricted free agent means that the Commanders, in placing a tender on Reaves, will have the opportunity to match an offer sheet from another team.

Reaves has been in and out of the NFL since 2018, playing mostly special teams with some play at safety as well. However, 2022 was a breakout year for Reaves when he excelled on his special teams play, being rewarded as the special teams representative for the Pro Bowl.

Reaves was voted to the Pro Bowl by the Pro Football Writers, Associated Press and Pro Football Focus. Reaves then became the object of much heartfelt praise when the Commanders filmed and then released a video of Commanders head coach Ron Rivera informing/congratulating his players who were 2022 Pro Bowlers.

In total, Reaves has started 11 games during his five seasons with the Burgundy and Gold. He has defended five passes, intercepting one in the 2020 season finale against the Eagles, helping Washington capture the NFC East title.

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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 participating in the Pro Bowl Games competitions

Five Commanders are participating in the Pro Bowl Games and thus far, Terry McLaurin is the top performer.

London Fletcher spoke of highly of the NFL Pro Bowl Games competitions, which have gotten underway out in Las Vegas.

“I thought the NFL did a great job with the different skills challenges, especially the dodgeball. I was very impressed with it.”

Fletcher had fun watching the Commanders’ Daron Payne in the Water Balloon competition. Jeremy Reaves was there in support of Payne. After watching, Fletcher laughingly declared, “Yeah, he needed to help out Daron Payne. Daron definitely did not have the best technique on catching that water balloon. ”

Terry McLaurin, however, impressed Fletcher by catching the water balloons. “It was Terry being Terry, going down, making sure he secures the catch. We’ve seen that plenty of times since he’s been here in Washington. He knew that catch was smooth right there.”

When it came to the Long Drive Competition, Julie Donaldson volunteered that “Daron Payne might need to take a few more practice swings.” Fletcher echoed, “Yes, not so much a golfer with Daron. But I was impressed with Jonathan Allen’s swing. And Tress (Way) he could definitely hit the ball.”

Dodgeball was the only event the NFC won from the AFC on the first night of the competitions, as the AFC concluded the first day of activities with a 9-3 lead over the AFC.

McLaurin and Reaves appeared in a video together, talking about how this was their first time at the Pro Bowl, but both were very thankful and grateful.

Tress Way appeared on a video with his son Beau on his knee. Tress asked his son, “Who is your favorite player?” Beau quickly responded, “Jahan” (Dotson).  Tress then asked, “Who else is your favorite?” Without batting an eye, young Beau responded, “Terry (McLaurin).”

At this point, Tress turned toward the camera, saying, “Ok, that is two tries.” Asking a third time, “Who else is your favorite?” Again rather quickly. the younger Way replied, “Daddy.”

The elder Way responded, “Alright, sweet. I’ll take number three.”

“I thought the NFL did a great job with the different challenges. You know, having the linemen catching punts. Really mixing things up, getting them out of their elements. Kudos to the league for coming up with something different. You saw the competitive nature, the competitive spirit of these players.”

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5 Commanders representing team at Pro Bowl Games

Five Commanders are in this year’s Pro Bowl Games.

The Washington Commanders have five players representing the Commanders at this year’s NFL Pro Bowl Games.

The lifeless and lethargic football game, which for the last 25 years was an embarrassment to the league is no longer being played–Hallelujah!

So Tress Way, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Terry McLaurin and Jeremy Reaves will be involved in the various other activities which now make up the week for the players.

This year the activities include:

Flag Football Game

Epic Pro Bowl Dodge Ball

Lightning Round

Longest Drive

Precision Passing

Best Catch

Gridiron Gauntlet

Kick-Tac-Toe

Move the Chains

As for the Commanders players themselves?

Terry McLaurin– Lightning round and Flag Football

Jonathan Allen – Longest Drive and Move the Chains

Daron Payne – Longest Drive and Move the Chains

Tress Way – Longest Drive and Kick-Tac-Toe

Jeremy Reaves – Lightning Round and Flag Football

“I like the changes and you will see the competitive spirit of these guys,” said four-time Pro Bowler and former Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher to Julie Donaldson on Command Center 2-2-23. “You will see these guys compete at a high level, and that is what you really wanted to see. The actual tackle game (Pro Bowl) had gotten to the point it wasn’t even competitive. I am happy the NFL made the change.”

We are too, London. We are too.

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