Commanders Free Agency: 4 Targets to Sign From Wild Card Saturday Playoffs

The Washington Commanders are observers this postseason but some of those playing the games could head this way in the offseason.

While the NFL was kicking off the Wild Card Round of the playoffs the Washington Commanders were forced to observe, hoping to find the right pieces this offseason to make them participants next year.

Fortunately for the Commanders there were contributing members of the four teams playing on Saturday who could become members of their efforts next season, with many more to come still.

Here's one upcoming free agent from the four teams that played on Saturday that Washington could target this offseason.

Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) celebrates a sack of Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the fourth quarter of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Oct. 15, 2023 :: © Jim Rassol / USA TODAY NETWORK

HOUSTON TEXANS: DALTON SCHULTZ, TIGHT END

The Texans beat the proverbial brakes off the Browns 45-14 to punch their ticket to the Divisional Round.

Tight end Dalton Schultz signed a one-year deal with Houston for this season and in his first playoff game with the team brought in just one reception, but it was a 37-yard touchdown that expanded his team's lead to 10 points at the time. 

In the regular season, Schultz collected 59 receptions, 635 yards, and five touchdowns and is projected to earn around $11 million per year on his next contract according to Spotrac.

CLEVELAND BROWNS: ZA'DARIUS SMITH, EDGE

While the Texans ride into the Divisional Round Cleveland saw its fairytale ride with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco come to a disappointing end and will look to next year with Deshaun Watson back healthy again.

While the Commanders rebuild their roster they can't do it with rookies across the board and a few well-placed veterans would provide a boost to the process.

Smith will be older than most, but would bring the proven ability to produce and leadership that comes with experience into the locker room.

Additionally, if Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald gets the head coaching job in Washington he and Smith have familiarity which could significantly improve the pass rusher's ability to make an impact in 2024.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: MIKE EDWARDS, SAFETY

It was speculated the frigid conditions at Arrowhead Stadium would benefit the Chiefs, and they did. 

Now, Kansas City will take their 19-point win over the Miami Dolphins to keep them warm while awaiting their next opponent. 

Edwards was on the field for all 61 of his team's defensive snaps on Saturday and came away with two tackles and an interception.

The interception off Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa came with just over three minutes left in the first quarter on the Chiefs side of the field in a one-score game.

It's exactly that kind of ability to impact close games that made Edwards a fan-favorite while he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and unfortunately also led to his pricing himself out in the face of their struggling cap situation. 

The Commanders won't have that issue and could benefit from agreeing to a multi-year deal with the versatile safety this offseason.

Biggest Offseason Question: What's Next For Howell?

MIAMI DOLPHINS: CHRISTIAN WILKINS, DL

This one may go up there in the 'pipe dream' category, but if Washington can lure top executive target Adam Peters away from the San Francisco 49ers perhaps it can lure this year's top defensive lineman away from his home.

And home is exactly what Wilkins referred to the Dolphins organization as after falling to the Chiefs on Saturday.

Still, with a bad cap situation facing Miami this offseason it won't be able to pay everyone and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is expected to want a new deal to prevent him from playing on his fifth-year option alone in 2024. 

Security for one oftentimes means a lack of it for another, and if Wilkins doesn't feel the love from the Dolphins this offseason the Commanders have the resources to help him fall in love with a new home this offseason.

Wilkins had three tackles on Saturday.