5 unsigned veterans who could ignite Commanders' training camp drama

Adam Peters is a cutthroat roster builder who knows exactly what's required at all times. The Washington Commanders have benefited greatly since he took the general manager position. And nobody is expecting him to sit on his hands if opportunities to improve can be found.

Peters wasted no time laying down a significant marker this offseason. The Commanders made two daring trades for Pro Bowl-caliber performers. He was methodical in free agency, identifying what was needed and striking with supreme conviction to land his preferred targets. The front-office leader also maximized every resource during the 2025 NFL Draft to raise optimism further.

This leaves the Commanders on the cusp of something special once again. Peters seems satisfied with the work done so far. But make no mistake, he'll never settle.

The Commanders have a couple of glaring flaws that could potentially hold them back. There's nothing wrong with examining improved depth across the board. Injuries are frequent throughout a grueling season. The more dependable options Washington has, the better.

Peters will keep tabs on transactions around the league to see if something pops up. Some intriguing veteran options on the market could also be of use if the price is right.

With this in mind, here are five unsigned veteran players who could shake things up for the Commanders when training camp rolls around.

Unsigned veterans who could ignite Commanders' training camp drama

Commanders could sign DeMarcus Walker

It's no secret that Washington Commanders fans are extremely concerned about the defensive edge. This was one position group where they believed Peters should have done more. But that doesn't mean the front-office leader won't add another weapon if he thinks it'll help.

There doesn't seem to be much explosiveness to the pass rush aside from Frankie Luvu, a linebacker who can be highly effective in blitz packages. Washington's hopes largely depend on whether Dorance Armstrong Jr. can take a major leap. If not, the Commanders have a big problem on their hands.

Some options seeking alternative employment could help. DeMarcus Walker is one of them. This represents the sort of experienced, short-term solution Peters has gone for more often than not from the veteran pool in 2025.

Walker spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears, gaining seven sacks from 68 percent of the team's defensive snaps during that span. His pass-rushing wasn't especially great last time around, but the former second-round pick out of Florida State flashed tremendous production against the run.

It wouldn't cost the Commanders much to find out if Walker had something to offer. This, or any other signing, would also raise the urgency for those already on the books.

Commanders could sign Shaq Mason

The Washington Commanders invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason. Trading for Laremy Tunsil and using the No. 29 pick on Josh Conerly Jr. represented a major statement of intent. Now, it's about molding them into a cohesive unit.

Sam Cosmi will miss most, if not all, of the 2025 campaign with a torn ACL. Brandon Coleman is shifting to the left guard spot, with Nick Allegretti expected to fill the right guard void. Tyler Biadasz is locked in at center, but there are some slight worries about the depth options behind them.

Much like the pass-rushing conundrum, Adam Peters will use the opening stages of camp to get a better lay of the land. If he isn't satisfied with developments, shaking things up cannot be completely dismissed.

That's where Shaq Mason comes in. The former Georgia Tech standout's two-year spell with the Houston Texans ended this offseason. Giving up eight sacks in 2024 wasn't ideal, but he's got bags of experience. He's also got proven chemistry with Tunsil, which is only going to help smooth the transition in this scenario.

Mason is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, so he knows what it takes to get over the hump. This wouldn't come with a guaranteed role, but it would add a little extra spice to the mix.

Commanders could sign Gabriel Davis

The Commanders are dealing with some issues in their wide receiver room. Top of the list is Terry McLaurin, who opted to skip voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp in pursuit of a new deal that hasn't arrived as yet.

Hopefully, something will get worked out before training camp with McLaurin. Washington cannot afford to have another unwanted distraction on its hands with so much at stake next season.

Michael Gallup also missed time with a hamstring strain. Noah Brown was carted off at minicamp, but nothing was disclosed aside from the fact that he was getting an MRI.

These situations are worth monitoring. It could even lead to the Commanders bringing in another wideout to raise competition depending on what unfolds in the coming weeks.

Someone like Gabe Davis could be a possibility, but only if Gallup and Brown are missing. The wide receiver was an underrated gem with the Buffalo Bills en route to securing a big-money move to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Things didn't go nearly as well in the Florida sunshine and he was cut after one underwhelming campaign.

Injuries didn't help Davis's cause. He recently visited the Pittsburgh Steelers without a deal emerging, so it might not be much longer before he finds a new home. If last season was merely a blip, he's something the Commanders should consider.

Commanders could sign Jadeveon Clowney

We saved the most obvious two for last.

As mentioned previously, the Washington Commanders are desperately short of legitimate pass-rushing options heading into the new campaign. Adam Peters seems confident in the options available, but he won't hesitate to ring the changes if things aren't developing as expected.

Ben Standig from The Athletic believes something could happen after the first week of camp, depending on how things shake out. If those already around meet expectations, Peters will likely hold firm. If things aren't progressing as anticipated, that's when a new reinforcement or two could come into the fold.

There aren't many remaining on the market with more glowing credentials than Jadeveon Clowney. The former No. 1 pick out of South Carolina was released by the Carolina Panthers this offseason as part of the team's youth movement on the edge. He was blindsided by the move, but confident there was still plenty of good football left.

Clowney might not have reached the hype expected as a generational prospect coming out of college, but he's experienced and productive. The sack numbers are solid enough, and the veteran remains a huge asset against the run. Much will depend on the money involved, but there are far worse avenues the Commanders could go down.

Commanders could sign Za'Darius Smith

There's another edge rusher whom the Commanders have been heavily linked with throughout the offseason. Adam Peters hasn't bitten as yet, which suggests that Washington is waiting it out before deciding on anything more drastic.

Za'Darius Smith is an accomplished pass-rusher. He didn't get a new deal from the Detroit Lions and remains on the proverbial scrap heap. That's surprising when one considers his glittering credentials, but it would be a bombshell of epic proportions if he didn't sign somewhere before Week 1.

Smith is a three-time Pro Bowler with 69 career sacks. This would be nothing more than a short-term fix for the Commanders, but they are in win-now mode. Finding band-aid solutions capable of providing upgrades now is a lot better than nothing, with Washington's window for another Super Bowl firmly open.

This also represents an attractive destination for any veteran free agent. The Commanders are an NFL hotbed after being buried in disgraceful dysfunction under the previous owner. It's an exciting project that Smith (or anyone else on this list) would jump at the chance to join.

The Commanders have a real shot next season. Signing Smith wouldn't result in a monumental shift, but it would get them a lot closer.

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