Commanders signing ex-Bills 2nd-round pick

The Washington Commanders have not assembled their final roster just yet. Washington is still determined to make some late additions to the roster for the final week of the preseason. The Commanders just added one edge rusher who was once a premium draft pick by an AFC superpower.

The Commanders reportedly plan to sign free agent defensive lineman Boogie Basham, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Basham worked out for Washington on Monday and clearly made a good enough impression to get a contract. The former Bills second-round pick spent the 2025 season on the Raiders’ practice squad.

Basham has struggled to find his footing in the NFL, never staying with a team for more than a few seasons. Buffalo traded Basham to New York after just two seasons, then only survived another two years before being waved in October of 2024.

Boogie started the 2025 season on the Panthers, logging four total tackles in three games played. Then he spent the remainder of the season in Las Vegas.

The veteran edge rusher should give Washington some depth on the edges behind starters Odafe Owen and K’Lavon Chaisson.

Adding Basham will be far from the only roster move the Commanders make this week.

Washington cut safety Will Harris on Monday, per The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala. The team also announced a handful of other moves, including the release of safety Malik Spencer. Washington signed safeties Joshuah Bledsoe and Quindell Johnson to replace Harris and Spencer’s roster spots.

Finally, the Commanders also announced that edge rusher Drake Jackson will head to injured reserve.

It will be interesting to see if Basham can make the final roster in Washington. If he does, Boogie may have the chance to revive his career with the Commanders.

Next up for the Commanders is their preseason finale against the Ravens on August 28th.