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The Washington Commanders need to replace Deebo Samuel, so why haven't they?
What have the Commanders done at receiver thus far this offseason?
In addition to these additions, Washington has star WR Terry McLaurin already on the roster, alongside former draft picks Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane.
There has been much talk about 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk joining the Commanders after his anticipated release from the 49ers. Ben Standig reported this week that at the NFL owners meetings last week, Commanders GM Adam Peters and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had a meal together in Phoenix. So, no doubt, the Aiyuk situation was discussed, and there was no change in the 49ers' stance: wait out this standoff, at least through the upcoming draft.
Might the Commanders select a receiver in the draft? Well, they don't have choices in rounds 2 or 4, so it would need to be with a choice in the other rounds. A surprise is that a few successful NFL free agent receivers have not yet been signed by an NFL team. Thus, their price tag has dropped. Jauan Jennings (49ers) is the biggest surprise to have not been signed. 49ers reporter Matt Barrows told Standig this week that he had been told at the owners meetings, "Jauan Jennings has outplayed his talent. Teams don't see him (Jennings) as a 900-yard receiver." Sure enough, Jennings in 2024 far surpassed (975 receiving yards) what he has done in any of his four other NFL seasons.
Stefon Diggs (32) and Deebo Samuel (30) are the most notable free agents still on the market. Samuel is showing himself less able to separate down the field, and Diggs is frankly remaining unsigned because of off-the-field concerns that team general managers likely still possess regarding Diggs.
So, will the Commanders sign Aiyuk? What looked like a certainty earlier might actually depend on what the Commanders do in the draft. If they find a receiver they want in the first round at No. 7 or when trading down. Might they then decide to pass on Aiyuk?
Washington certainly understands its receiver need, as Peters aggressively pursued Alec Pierce before he re-signed with the Colts. The Commanders were also involved with Romeo Doubs, before he signed with the Patriots.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Evaluating wide receiver before 2026 NFL Draft
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What have the Commanders done at receiver thus far this offseason?
- Re-signed 2025 practice squad receivers Ja'Corey Brooks and Jacoby Jones to futures contracts. Brooks is 24 and appeared in one game in 2025. He has good size at 6-3, 195. He began his college career at Alabama and then transferred to Louisville. Jones is bigger, being listed at 6-3, 228; he finished his college ball at UCF. He appeared in one game in 2025, catching a 25-yard reception against the Miami Dolphins.
- Re-signed 2025 receiver Treylon Burks. Burks didn't live up to being drafted 18th overall by the Titans in 2022, so he was released, and the Commanders picked up Burks in October. He played in eight games for Washington, catching 10 passes for 130 yards (13.0), and is best remembered for a one-handed grab vs. Denver in an SNF contest. The Commanders re-signed Burks on March 12.
- Signed veteran free agents Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson. Brown spent his first four seasons in Washington after being drafted 82nd overall in 2021. In those four seasons, he caught 59 passes for 784 yards (13.3), including four touchdowns. After a very disappointing season in Jacksonville, he has re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year deal. Brown did make some big receptions in the 2024 playoff wins over the Bucs and Lions. Jefferson will turn 30 in July and has been with the Rams (2020-23), Falcons (2023), Steelers (2024) and Titans (2025).
In addition to these additions, Washington has star WR Terry McLaurin already on the roster, alongside former draft picks Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane.
There has been much talk about 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk joining the Commanders after his anticipated release from the 49ers. Ben Standig reported this week that at the NFL owners meetings last week, Commanders GM Adam Peters and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had a meal together in Phoenix. So, no doubt, the Aiyuk situation was discussed, and there was no change in the 49ers' stance: wait out this standoff, at least through the upcoming draft.
Might the Commanders select a receiver in the draft? Well, they don't have choices in rounds 2 or 4, so it would need to be with a choice in the other rounds. A surprise is that a few successful NFL free agent receivers have not yet been signed by an NFL team. Thus, their price tag has dropped. Jauan Jennings (49ers) is the biggest surprise to have not been signed. 49ers reporter Matt Barrows told Standig this week that he had been told at the owners meetings, "Jauan Jennings has outplayed his talent. Teams don't see him (Jennings) as a 900-yard receiver." Sure enough, Jennings in 2024 far surpassed (975 receiving yards) what he has done in any of his four other NFL seasons.
Stefon Diggs (32) and Deebo Samuel (30) are the most notable free agents still on the market. Samuel is showing himself less able to separate down the field, and Diggs is frankly remaining unsigned because of off-the-field concerns that team general managers likely still possess regarding Diggs.
So, will the Commanders sign Aiyuk? What looked like a certainty earlier might actually depend on what the Commanders do in the draft. If they find a receiver they want in the first round at No. 7 or when trading down. Might they then decide to pass on Aiyuk?
Washington certainly understands its receiver need, as Peters aggressively pursued Alec Pierce before he re-signed with the Colts. The Commanders were also involved with Romeo Doubs, before he signed with the Patriots.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Evaluating wide receiver before 2026 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
