5 unsigned cornerbacks the Commanders should consider immediately

The Washington Commanders earned their first win of the season against the New York Giants in Week 2. That was undoubtedly a positive, there’s no getting around it. But if head coach Dan Quinn wants to build on this newfound momentum, some significant adjustments will be necessary.

One of the biggest complications concerns the pass defense. Fans had concerns before the season about whether the Commanders would have enough players in their cornerback room. It’s still early, but those fears have not diminished in the first two games.

Benjamin St-Juste is playing well. Second-round rookie Mike Sainristil is dealing with some growing pains, as expected. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is on the bench with a thumb issue. Michael Davis seemed unable to effectively fill his starting positions after his performance in Week 2.

With some tough games coming up against high-caliber passing attacks, general manager Adam Peters will have to take drastic measures. On that topic, here are five cornerbacks the Commanders should urgently sign.

The Commanders should immediately consider whether they can sign free-lancer cornerbacks

Commanders must consider Chandon Sullivan

The Washington Commanders will need to act quickly if they identify Chandon Sullivan as a player of interest. He worked out with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, which could lead to him being signed to their practice squad or 53-man roster if they are sufficiently impressed with his abilities.

Sullivan performed well with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. He posted a modest 59.4 passer rating when targeted and also assisted prominently on special teams. When the team traded cornerback Donte Jackson, it meant his services were no longer needed.

The former Georgia State star isn’t the flashiest player, but he’s a solid coverage player who can easily make his presence felt in the run game. It’s a surprise that Sullivan is still looking for work — something the Commanders may want to take advantage of to add another reliable veteran to their secondary.

Commanders must consider Xavien Howard

Xavien Howard is arguably the best player on the veteran cornerback market right now. The former second-round pick was an All-Pro coverage player at the peak of his career. A few unfortunate injuries derailed his career and the Miami Dolphins made him a likely salary cap casualty this offseason.

Howard is fired up and waiting for another opportunity. It might take some time for him to get back into shape after playing in just 13 games last season, but if the player proves his health, he should draw interest from franchises across the league in need of cornerbacks.

The Washington Commanders are one of those teams based on their performance in the first two games of 2024. While Howard is waiting for a challenger, general manager Adam Petters has enough free resources to offer the Baylor product a better financial package than most.

Howard would offer the Commanders something they are lacking: proven performance against the league’s best wide receivers. However, the injury warnings cannot be ignored and will need to be thoroughly examined by Washington’s medical staff if the defensive back enters the conversation.

Commanders must consider Patrick Peterson

The Commanders have made a big effort this offseason to weed out underperforming veterans and start a small youth movement led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. That’s commendable and should put the organization in a better position to succeed in the coming years. But if officials believe they can make the playoffs right from the start under head coach Dan Quinn, signing experienced players is crucial.

Patrick Peterson has more of that than most. He’s not the All-Pro level cornerback he’s been in years past, but his performance for the Pittsburgh Steelers last time out suggests he could still be useful in some capacity.

Asking Peterson to start every play at this late stage of his career is asking too much, but he would be a valuable addition to the rotation and would mentor younger cornerbacks throughout the season.

Peterson has the size and length typically associated with defensive backs in Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.’s schemes. He has lost some of the explosiveness that once made him a game-changing presence. That might be the only thing holding the Commanders back from making a move despite the obvious upside.

Commanders must consider JC Jackson

If the Washington Commanders truly believe they are not far from being a potential playoff contender, signing a high-profile free agent who can be used immediately could be the right move. It comes with a significant amount of risk, but someone with JC Jackson’s on-field skills is worth discussing.

Jackson is now eligible to participate in the regular season after serving a one-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. After his sensational season with the New England Patriots in 2021, things have been steadily downhill for the player. His expensive move to the Los Angeles Chargers has not paid off for the franchise and he is looking for a new home after a brief return to Gillette Stadium in 2023.

Any remaining veteran on the market comes with concerns heading into the season. The Commanders need to be sure Jackson is in the right shape before making that move. But if the player can return to his old form, he would be a significant upgrade over everything Washington has, aside from maybe Benjamin St-Juste.

Those days could be long gone. It would also change the way general manager Adam Peters has run his business so far. At the same time, it wouldn’t cost the Commanders much to figure that out one way or another.

Commanders must consider Justin Bethel

Adam Peters hasn’t made many dramatic changes since taking over as general manager. The Commanders cut two-thirds of their roster during the first offseason under his leadership, but the former San Francisco 49ers manager wanted to keep the long-term goals in mind. He’s unlikely to deviate from that plan, although help at cornerback is desperately needed.

That could lead the Commanders to someone like Justin Bethel. The three-time Pro Bowler was a consistent presence in his prime and a vital special teams piece at his various stops. His performance in the Miami Dolphins’ defensive rotation last time out didn’t inspire confidence, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

If the Commanders decide they need additional special teams, that becomes more likely. That’s where Bethel excels, even though the former sixth-round pick is 34 years old. It would be a cost-effective move to potentially prove his mettle. But there’s also the possibility that he’s fallen off the proverbial performance level.

No matter which path the Commanders take, they can’t just wait and hope things get better. Only Mike Sainristil has a real advantage for those who are struggling. Peters is a smart evaluator, so this probably won’t go unnoticed.

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