NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal compiled a list recently that reveals a great deal about the Washington Commanders.
His list is the NFL’s Top 25 free agents for the 2026 class. Now, who are these players? They were those who were drafted in the NFL’s 2021 first-round draft and are this season playing on their team’s fifth-year option. Even more, some of the free agents are those who were drafted in the 2022 class or were undrafted free agents, entering the NFL in 2022.
Finally, the list includes players who are concluding their second or third NFL contracts and thus become free agents whom teams may be looking to sign to short-term deals. Note that had Terry McLaurin not agreed to his deal last week, he would have been near the top of the list.
Commanders fans will instantly notice something when going through the list of 25 players. Not a single Washington Commander is included in the list. Now, the Commanders finished 12-5 last season, so surely they have some very good players. Why are none of them on this list?
Unfortunately, the reasoning is straightforward and easy to discern. Who is the Commander who would be on the list, playing now on Washington’s fifth-year option? That would be Jamin Davis. But we all recall how, when the name Jamin Davis was announced, those of us who follow the first round closely instantly knew it was a reach by Rivera, convinced he needed a linebacker badly enough, as he shockingly selected Davis 19th overall.
How about all the players drafted by Rivera in the class of 2022?
- Jahan Dotson (16th) might be the Eagles’ fifth receiver, having been traded by Washington in the 2024 offseason.
- Phidarian Mathis (47th) was cut by Washington during the 2024 season, simply because he produced next to nothing. The Jets signed Mathis, but he did not cut their 53-man roster.
- Brian Robinson Jr. (98th) Robinson was a three-year starter but struggled too often in 2024 and was traded during the 2025 preseason.
- Percy Butler (113th) has performed well on special teams but has not been able to break into the starting lineup. He did recently sign a one-year contract extension.
- Sam Howell (144th) struggled in his only season as a starter (2023), was traded to Seattle, and has since been traded to Minnesota and, most recently, Philadelphia.
- Cole Turner (149th) Turner has only been on the active roster for two seasons, collecting a mere 13 receptions.
- Chris Paul (230th) has managed to start eight games, appearing in 17 total games. He is back for a fourth season with Washington as a backup guard.
- Christian Holmes (240th) was waived by Washington early in the 2024 training camp and subsequently by the Giants and Browns.
Finally, here is the list of Commanders who will become free agents in 2026:
- Deebo Samuel
- Bobby Wagner
- Zach Ertz
- Marcus Mariota
- Von Miller
- Matt Gay
- Jonathan Jones
- Austin Ekeler
- Andrew Wylie
- Deatrich Wise
- Noah Brown
- Tress Way
- Chris Rodriguez
- Jeremy McNichols
- Noah Igbinoghene
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: How many free agents will they have in 2026?