This offseason, I took control of the Washington Commanders in GM Mode on StickToTheModel with a focus on strengthening the defense, upgrading the secondary, and adding offensive weapons while navigating tight cap space.

Here’s how the offseason played out.

The Big Picture

• Starting Cap Space: $72.3M
• Final Cap Space: $3.4M

• Players Cut: 2
• Contracts Restructured: 2
• Trades Made: 1
• Free Agents Signed: 9
• Draft Picks: 7

• Overall Grade: A

Washington stayed aggressive in free agency while still completing a solid draft class.

Cuts

The Commanders cleared cap space by moving on from two veterans.

Quan Martin
+$3.7M

Marshon Lattimore
+$18.5M

Restructures

Two contracts were adjusted to create additional flexibility.

Samuel Cosmi
+$8.4M

Javon Kinlaw
+$4.9M

Trade

Washington made one trade during the offseason.

Sent Daron Payne to ARI
Received 2026 Pick #65

Free Agency

The Commanders added several impact players across the roster.

Kenneth Walker III — RB
1yr / $8.0M

Alec Pierce — WR
3yr / $24.5M APY

Tyler Linderbaum — IOL
2yr / $15.5M APY

Tariq Woolen — CB
4yr / $23.2M APY

Nakobe Dean — LB
2yr / $8.5M APY

Bryan Cook — S
1yr / $6.5M APY

Rashan Gary — EDGE
4yr / $24.5M APY

John Franklin-Myers — IDL
1yr / $12.1M APY

Chigoziem Okonkwo — TE
2yr / $9.1M APY

These moves helped Washington add defensive playmakers while also improving the offense with new weapons and depth.

Draft Class

Washington added seven players through the draft.

Round 1 — Pick 18
Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)

Round 3 — Pick 65
Kamari Ramsey (S, USC)

Round 3 — Pick 71
Keylan Rutledge (OG, Georgia Tech)

Round 5 — Pick 146
Taurean York (ILB, Texas A&M)

Round 6 — Pick 187
Markel Bell (OT, Miami)

Round 6 — Pick 198
Tyler Onyedim (DL5T, Texas A&M)

Round 7 — Pick 222
Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)

Final Take

Washington built an aggressive offseason by upgrading the defense and adding several offensive weapons while managing a tight salary cap.

Run Your Own NFL Offseason

I built this roster using GM Mode on StickToTheModel, where you can run your own NFL team, manage the salary cap, make trades, sign free agents, and run the draft.

Try it yourself here:
https://sticktothemodel.com/