Free agents Commanders should sign with NFL-leading salary-cap space

A new era is underway in Washington and the Commanders have the opportunity to start it off strong with the NFL's most salary cap space ($73.64M) heading into 2024. Here are three free agents they should sign this offseason.

Edge Brian Burns, Panthers

Washington traded both of its starting edge-rushers, Chase Young and Montez Sweat, at the trade deadline this season. The team must now rebuild its defensive line starting with one of the best in free agency.

Burns, a first-round pick in 2019, has been one of Carolina's most consistent defenders over the past five years. From 2019-23, he had 246 tackles, 46 sacks, eight forced fumbles and 13 passes defensed. Burns is still only 25 and would instantly become the Commanders' most feared defender.

He is projected to receive a five-year, $108.74M contract ($21.7M per year), per Spotrac.

Tackle Tyron Smith, Cowboys

What better way to start things off than by stealing from your division rival? Smith has played for Dallas since he was selected with the No. 9 pick by the team in the 2011 NFL Draft. Although injuries have plagued the past few years, Smith is still one of the best tackles when healthy.

Washington is likely to draft its next quarterback with the No. 2 pick in this year's draft. Adding Smith would protect the blindside of its new QB as he allowed just one sack in 2023, per Pro Football Focus.

Smith is projected to receive a one-year, $7.48M contract, per Spotrac. But the Commanders could very well sign the 33-year-old to a multi-year deal if they feel that is best.

Safety Kamren Curl, Commanders

There weren't a lot of positives to take away from Washington's 2023 season, but Curl was one of them. So, retaining the 24-year-old, who had a career-high 115 tackles as well as one sack, one forced fumble and five passes defensed, should be near the top of the list.

Curl has been proving his doubters wrong since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. But he will finally be paid accordingly this offseason. The Commanders have the funds to do so.

Curl is projected to receive a four-year, $57.73M contract ($14.4M per year), per Spotrac.