In his first year with the Washington Commanders, general manager Adam Peters didn’t hesitate to look into his past to help his new team. Washington was busy last March, signing several players to help improve a 4-13 roster, some of which had ties to Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, or several of his assistants, such as Anthony Lynn and Brian Johnson.
This year, Peters could have even more options from his past. Peters left San Francisco to come to Washington. He had spent seven years with the 49ers, including the last three as the assistant GM. Peters was heavily involved in San Francisco’s draft choices throughout his tenure.
In March, several players the 49ers acquired during Peters’ time in the Bay Area will be free agents, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. That fits Washington’s needs well.
While the Commanders were 13th in total defense, they finished 30th against the run and 18th in scoring defense.
The 49ers have around $44 million in salary cap room but must agree to a deal with quarterback Brock Purdy. They’ll be unable to keep everyone, so we look at three free agents that Peters could sign who would immediately help the Commanders.
LB Dre Greenlaw
Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Greenlaw is an interesting case. He quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s best linebackers in 2023 until an Achilles injury in last year’s Super Bowl wiped out his 2024 season. Greenlaw appeared in two games later in the season. Greenlaw was often overshadowed in San Francisco by Fred Warner. Could the six-year pro be looking for a place to make his own?
Here’s the problem with Greenlaw. He plays outside linebacker, where the Commanders have Frankie Luvu, arguably the team’s best defender. There’s also Bobby Wagner. While Wagner plays inside, he is a free agent, and he and the team would like to come together for another season in 2024.
Washington doesn’t often play three linebackers. However, if they believe Greenlaw can make an immediate impact — and Peters would know — he’d be worth signing. Unfortunately for Greenlaw, he’ll likely have to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal from someone.
CB Charvarius Ward
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17). Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Despite drafting Mike Sainristil and trading for Marshon Lattimore, the Commanders need more help at cornerback. Sainristil was phenomenal. Expected to play the slot, Washington needed him outside, where he thrived all season. Do you leave him outside, add a slot cornerback, or put Sainristil back inside and sign an outside cornerback?
Lattimore struggled after being acquired in a midseason trade from the Saints. However, as Peters noted at his end-of-season press conference, he was never healthy. Peters views Lattimore as a big part of Washington’s plans in 2024 and believes a healthy offseason in Washington will do Lattimore wonders.
Playing in a division with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and CeeDee Lamb, you can never have enough quality cornerbacks. Charvarius Ward is one of the NFC’s best and another player that Peters knows well. He will be 29 this year, so a two or three-year deal would likely be enough to get Ward to the Commanders.
S Talanoa Hufanga
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) forces a sack-fumble by Seattle Seahawks. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Talanoa Hufanga was a sixth-round pick of the 49ers back in the 2021 NFL draft. He played in 15 games as a rookie, starting three. He would become a household name in 2022, starting every game, recording four interceptions, and was named first-team All-Pro. Unfortunately for Hufanga, a torn ACL ended his 2023 season after 10 games and forced him to miss 10 games in the 2024 season.
In seven games last season, Hufanga recorded 38 tackles. Like Greenlaw, even though he returned to the field, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Hufanga signed a short-term prove-it deal and entered free agency again in 2026.
Hufanga is only 25. Jeremy Chinn is a free agent for the Commanders. Does Washington allow Chinn to depart and sign Hufanga to a one-year prove-it deal like Chinn did one year ago? It worked out wonderfully for Chinn, who had a solid year. The Commanders will try to keep Chinn, but don’t be surprised if Peters doesn’t entertain signing Hufanga.