Dynasty Fantasy Football Free Agency Preview 2026: Washington Commanders

Things were looking up for the Washington Commanders following the change of ownership in 2024. Their first round draft pick, quarterback Jayden Daniels, won Offensive Rookie of the Year and rewarded them with a playoff berth. Terry McLaurin had the best year of his career, and everyone was riding pretty high.

Well, in 2025, things came crashing down to earth a bit. Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Austin Ekeler, Zach Ertz, and many other Commanders dealt with injuries. That saw Washington go 5-12 and finish third in the division. They now have a lot of work to do to make it back to the playoffs in 2026. 

It’s our job to look at the depth chart, contracts, and salary cap space to figure out what they might do in free agency next month. Maybe we’ll even speculate on what that could mean for fantasy football. If you’d like to see exactly where we have the Washington Commanders ranked, become a Fantasy Alarm Member today to access our full Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings along with our buy, hold, or sell recommendations!

*The salary cap numbers referenced in this article come courtesy of our friends over at Spotrac.com*

Washington Commanders Depth Chart 2026 (Fantasy Football Relevant)

KEY

• White = free agent
• Green = role is safe
• Yellow =  role in flux
• Orange = likely a depth piece
• Red = roster spot not guaranteed

Washington Commanders Free Agency 2026

• PROJECTED 2026 SALARIES: ~$215M
• ESTIMATED 2026 CAP SPACE: ~$80M

Free Agent Types

Unrestricted free agent: Any player with four or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. They are free to negotiate with any team.

Restricted free agent: A player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. The CBA allowed for NFL teams to tender these players to one-year qualifying offers to retain them. Another team can sign them, but would need to provide the tendering team with compensation. In layman’s terms, if a new team signs a player, the current team can match it, or they receive the corresponding pick from the new team. These are the projected RFA tender levels per OverTheCap.com:

• 1st Round - $7,893,000
• 2nd Round - $5,658,000
• Right of First Refusal - $3,453,000

Exclusive rights free agent: Any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum, the player cannot negotiate with other teams. If the team wants the player back, these contracts are a no-brainer, as the player either needs to play on the contract or sit out. 

Commanders Quarterback Depth Chart

Jayden Daniels

The Commanders have their quarterback in 2024 rookie of the year Jayden Daniels. And, for fantasy purposes, he’s still smack in the age apex for mobile quarterbacks at 25 years old. This is the kind of floor and ceiling we look for in both single quarterback and superflex leagues. In fact, mobile upside is even more valuable in single quarterback leagues where there are fewer true difference-makers. 

Marcus Mariota

The Commanders are going to want Mariota back. No doubt about it. You want a backup who can help your starter grow and also keep the ship afloat if he gets hurt. The question is whether Mariota is content as a backup or if he wants another shot at maybe being a starter somewhere. If he does, he wouldn’t pick the Commanders in free agency. 

In those deep superflex leagues, having a backup QB who is willing to run when he gets in there is about as good as you can do. Mariota had a couple of games where he ran double-digit times here, which simply doesn’t happen with other backups. 

Josh Johnson

Josh Johnson is a smart football player, which is why he continues to get jobs. But you don’t necessarily want him starting for you for extended stretches. Whether or not he is back shouldn’t be factored into the QB2 discussion. 

Jeff Driskel

Driskel was signed as an emergency backup for the Christmas Day game against the Cowboys, as he had been with the team in 2024. He’s not under contract and not a part of the future plans, most likely.

Sam Hartman

Hartman spent most of the year on the practice squad. But when push came to shove, they signed Jeff Driskel. They elevated him late to retain his rights, but he’s in no way a roster lock.

• Reserves/Futures: N/A

COMMANDERS QB FREE AGENCY TAKE: In an ideal world, Marcus Mariota returns to be the backup. If he goes elsewhere, then you want someone with at least some mobility who can run the same scheme if Jayden Daniels goes down. Here are some names that fit the bill. And it’s virtually the same names as last year.

• POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Tyler Huntley, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Sam Howell

Commanders Runningback Depth Chart

Austin Ekeler

This running back situation for most of the season was so odd that it’s hard to decide who to rank where. But Austin Ekeler did start both games and led in snaps before he got hurt, so he gets the nod here. That said, he and Anthony Lynn had publicly stated that they wanted it to be a split with Ekeler on pass downs, so someone else was likely to be the early down and goal-line bruiser. 

Ekeler is generally pretty vocal about his situation, and he posted a “thank you” to Commanders fans, which implies that he won’t be back for 2026. It seems he plans to play, so maybe he can catch on as pass-down depth elsewhere. He’s a great locker room guy with a lot of knowledge to share.

Chris Rodriguez

Jacory Croskey-Merritt was the hype beast, but Chris Rodriguez played over him down the stretch when both were healthy. His teammates even gave him the “Unsung Hero” award for 2025. He’s an unrestricted free agent and could be back for 2026, but we don’t have much interest in fantasy, as he does not offer anything in the pass game. He’s appeared in 35 games and, despite having nearly 200 carries, he only has 6 receptions. 

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Also known as “Bill”, Croskey-Merritt was one of the most hyped players this offseason. A good rule of thumb is to consider selling undrafted players as soon as they get into hype territory, and especially when popular podcasts create memes about them. He flashed at times and is under contract through 2028, but the Commanders are a top candidate to add a back this offseason. If you are a true believer, there obviously is a path to work for him, though, so maybe you hold on. 

Jeremy McNichols

Washington always seems to have someone like J.D. McKissic or Jeremy McNichols floating around. In this case, McNichols is an unrestricted free agent, but he could be back again with his versatility. In 2024, he logged the seventh most special teams snaps on the team, but last year, he had to play more offense and played the second most RB snaps on the team.

Chase Edmonds

Edmonds bounced around the practice squad mostly. Despite being elevated at various points, he didn’t appear much on offense or special teams. He’s an unrestricted free agent. 

• Reserves/Futures: Michael Wiley

COMMANDERS RB FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Commanders basically only have Jacory Croskey-Merritt under contract. That could mean that JCM is in line for a starting gig. Or they could spend up on a premium free agent or use a high draft pick on a back. If you are rooting for Bill, the rookie gives you a better chance, as they are more likely to flop than a high-end veteran. And there are some great options out there, as you can see below. 

They will need to fill this room out completely with help on short yardage, some sort of pass down back, and special teams. So no one is really off the table. But only so many teams are in the market for the top backs, so let’s focus on those as they have the most impact for fantasy. 

• POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne Jr, Javonte Williams, Rico Dowdle, Najee Harris

Commanders Wide Receiver Depth Chart

Terry McLaurin

When you give a guy the extension he wants, especially an older player for his position, the nightmare scenario is that he gets hurt and/or has a down year. Which is exactly what happened with McLauin here. Not only was he hurt, but his per-game numbers dropped from his Pro Bowl season in 2025. Obviously, he’s under contract on a deal with ~$45M guaranteed, so you just have to hope that he can get back to form in 2026. He’ll turn 31 this September.  

Deebo Samuel

If the Commanders are going to retain Deebo Samuel, they would be wise to do that soon. Because it’s becoming more and more clear that there are teams out there willing to pay for his services. I doubt we ever see a season like his magical 2021 again. But he can still be a serviceable player who offers some rushing gadget ability on top. Samuel is a sell for me in most formats outside of best ball, as his playstyle and usage are not conducive to consistency, even if he can offer spike weeks. He still has name-brand value to move.   

Noah Brown

There was no clear WR3 to start the season. Though much like Austin Ekeler, Noah Brown started the first two games and was ahead of the other guys in snaps. Then he got hurt. It’s telling that, when he briefly returned in Weeks 14 and 15, he also started and played over the other options. So that’s why he gets this spot on the depth chart. Brown is an unrestricted free agent who could be back as depth in 2026, but I doubt they elevate the 30-year-old to WR2 at this stage of his career. So he’s not a guy that needs to be held.   

Luke McCaffrey

With Deebo Samuel taking over the slot, Luke McCaffrey ended up having to play more outside than would be typical for him. Injuries to McLaurin, Noah Brown, and Deebo himself juiced his snaps at times, but he never really got past a 50% snap share. He was their primary kick returner before he got hurt, though, so I expect him back as depth. 

Jaylin Lane

Lane got some hype in camp, and he actually cracked at 60% snap share at times when guys were hurt. In all likelihood, he’s probably battling to be the WR3 or WR4 at best while being the main punt returner.

Chris Moore

Moore is the definition of a journeyman wide receiver. He shows up, and he gets to work if you need him. He’s almost certainly not going to break out for fantasy at 32 years old, but I’m never surprised when teams pick up reliable veterans like this as depth. 

Treylon Burks

Burks was claimed off waivers after the Titans released him. And he actually got a real shot to compete, hitting a 91% snaps share in Week 17, even. There are also some comments out there where Dan Quinn suggests they want to see him back. I know getting released by the Titans is a pretty big indictment, as they also need weapons, but Burks is probably the most appealing of the misfit toys in Washington. 

• Reserves/Futures: Ja'Corey Brooks, Jacoby Jones,

COMMANDERS WR FREE AGENCY TAKE: There are a lot of questions regarding depth. But the most interesting one is the slot/flanker role. Terry McLaurin is your split end on the outside. But Deebo Samuel is an unrestricted free agent. I personally don’t see them elevating guys like Luke McCaffrey or Jaylin Lane into that role. So the solution would be free agency or the draft if Deebo walks. Here are the guys who can operate in that capacity. 

• POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Wan’Dale Robinson, Rashid Shaheed, Michael Pittman (if released), Darnell Mooney (if released)

Commanders Tight End Depth Chart

Zach Ertz

Ertz is an unrestricted free agent. Even if they do decide to bring him back in 2026, he tore his ACL very late in the season and will almost certainly miss the early part of the year. So they’re going to need someone else who is a viable starter. There’s a very real possibility that Ertz has played his last snap of football, but that will be up to him. 

Ben Sinnott

Following the injury to Ertz, Ben Sinnott did leapfrog John Bates into more of a pass-catching role. In the games without Ertz, Sinnott played 64 pass snaps, running 55 routes, while Bates played 51 pass snaps but running only 31 routes. That said, Sinnott did not exactly pull a “Trey McBride” and blow up once Ertz went down. His best game was 3 catches for 29 yards. That said, those games had Marcus Mariota at quarterback for 1.5 and Josh Johnson for 2.5, so it’s hard to make a full judgment. If your dynasty league was deep enough to hold Sinnott this long, you can still hold if you want to see how the offseason shakes out, but he does not need to be held. 

John Bates

The 32.5% pass blocking rate for John Bates tells you all you need to know about what kind of a tight end he is. He’s under contract through 2027, and I expect him back as the inline blocking tight end, but they need more in the pass game. 

Colson Yankoff

Yankoff played 246 special teams snaps, which was top five on the team, which is the path to remaining on the roster. His season ended following an ankle injury in Week 14, but it wasn’t a major one that would affect his future. 

Tyree Jackson

The QB turned tight end has bounced around a few different teams, but he’s also dealt with some serious injuries along the way. He missed all of 2025 with an undisclosed injury and will enter 2026 as a restricted free agent. They won’t use a tender on him, which should see him hit free agency. 

• Reserves/Futures: N/A

COMMANDERS TE FREE AGENCY TAKE: This is a crucial offseason for Ben Sinnott. If they actually believe in him, maybe they won’t make a major move. But, with Zach Ertz hitting free agency after tearing his ACL, they might decide to make a move at tight end, which would vaporize the value for Sinnott.

If David Blough wants to continue with the scheme that the Commanders have been using, they’ll want a tight end who can play “big slot” as Ertz did. Here are the best candidates for that - starting with the top dog, Kyle Pitts. 

• POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Kyle Pitts, David Njoku, Chig Okonkwo, Isaiah Likely, Darren Waller, Zach Ertz, Greg Dulcich

Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings

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