The NFL salary cap ballooned to $255 million this year, lifting the Washington Commanders with it.
The Commanders now have an NFL-leading $96 million in cap space, letting them especially look to free agency to load a roster riddled with holes.
Washington could spend some of that money on a defense that’s losing linebacker Cody Barton, safety Kam Curl and cornerback Kendall Fuller. The Commanders also traded two of their defensive ends, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, midway through the 2023 season.
“Their biggest weakness is defense, and that’s where the strength of the free agent group is,” analyst Sam Monson said Thursday on “The PFF NFL Podcast.” “I think they can go shopping in free agency and actually bring in some players that legitimately transform the defense.”
Monson believes the Commanders could target top-tier linebackers like the Minnesota Vikings’ Danielle Hunter, the Carolina Panthers’ Brian Burns and the New York Jets’ Bryce Huff.
“With the amount of money they’ve got, they could do two. They could double-dip,” Monson said. “If they could come out of this free agent group with two starters, even if they’re high-priced ones, I think that would be good.”
To fill Curl’s safety spot, the Commanders could turn to the versatile Kyle Dugger, formerly of the New England Patriots.
“With his rare position versatility at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds, Dugger can be deployed at multiple levels in subpackage personnel to create impact production,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote, noting that the safety could be a fit in coach Dan Quinn’s defense.
As the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, Quinn flexed the hybrid skill sets of players like Micah Parsons and Jayron Kearse, who is now a free agent. Parsons split time between linebacker and the defensive line, while Kearse took snaps at safety and linebacker.
The boosted 2024 salary cap could be a boon for teams like the Cowboys, who are struggling to fit under the limit. According to Spotrac, Dallas has to restructure at least $3.2 million in player salaries to fit the guidelines.
Other organizations that must perform financial gymnastics this offseason include the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
The $255 million cap — a $30 million increase from 2023 — gives additional flexibility to teams balancing hefty quarterback contracts and high-priced veterans. Front offices around the league had expected a limit closer to $240 million.
The increased limit, which the NFL attributed to higher media revenue, lets struggling teams like the Commanders overhaul their roster in free agency quickly.
With an abundance of cap space, Washington could address glaring issues on the offensive line — defenses sacked quarterback Sam Howell a league-leading 65 times in 2023. Though right guard Sam Cosmi will likely retain his starting job after a strong season, the Commanders could turn to free agency for help at left guard and center.
There’s depth at guard in this year’s free agency class — Robert Hunt, lately of Miami; Jonah Jackson, fresh off Detroit; and Kevin Dotson, who played for the Rams, are all 27 years old and could help protect a franchise quarterback for the Commanders. Kevin Zeitler, a 33-year-old guard who made the Pro Bowl last season with Baltimore, is also a free agent option.
Commanders center Nick Gates is under contract through 2025, but he could be replaced after struggling in 2023. Connor Williams, formerly of the Dolphins, will be the top center in free agency and a possible fit for Washington. Spotrac expects him to fetch a deal worth $13.5 million per year.
The NFL free agency period begins on March 13, but teams can start negotiating with players at noon March 11.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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