NFL Power Rankings: Has Free Agency Improved Commanders?
The Washington Commanders have been applauded for the team's signings in free agency, but has it made the team more respected nationally?
Now that NFL team's free agency signings have had some time to be graded, new NFL Power Rankings are out, so let's evaluate where the Commanders currently place.
Despite Washington's new general manager, Adam Peters, making some signings to improve the Commanders, the team remains stuck near the bottom of the league according to the latest rankings, with the team slotted in at No. 31.
There’s now competition and improved talent at several positions, and the Commanders really needed some new blood and professionalism in the building," NFL.com writes. "You don’t draft a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick and ask him to make a bad roster better; you have to fix the second part first, and even then, it’ll be a reach."
Washington has fleshed out its offense this offseason by adding players like running back Austin Ekeler to help score touchdowns and Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Nick Allegretti. The Power Ranking evaluation addressed the possibility of the Commanders drafting LSU quarterback Jalen Daniels over North Carolina's Drake Maye.
"Daniels could have a higher Year 1 ceiling and might be an outstanding fit for the offense Peters and Dan Quinn hope to build," NFL.com said. "If that’s the way it ends up going, Daniels’ elite running ability and his deep-shot throwing talent could make for a surprisingly fun season in Washington -- something that has been sorely lacking for way too long."
Free Agency Report Card: Commanders' Allegretti Make The Grade?
Every year, there's a team that surprises fans by becoming a sneaky contender. In 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals shocked the world by making the Super Bowl. Last year, the Houston Texans went from drafting No. 2 overall to making the playoffs, largely thanks to selecting eventual Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud.
If the Commanders get lucky and select the next rookie Pro Bowl quarterback, the team could become the latest underdog to outperform its initial power ranking and become a legitimate playoff threat.