Grading the Washington Commanders' first free agency moves after trading Sam Howell to the Seahawks

S Jeremy Chinn

Contract details: 1 yr $5.1 million max
Projected contract: 1 yr $3 million, w/$2M guaranteed

Chinn isn't the best cover guy, but you can move him around, a lot, in box as a hybrid safety/linebacker-type player, which is valuable in this defense. Just think how Quinn used Jayron Kearse in Dallas, basically.

Chinn also gives the Commanders a physical presence in case Kamren Curl doesn't return. It will be curious to see just how effective he is, though, especially when considering his drop-off in play along with the injury issues he's had the last couple seasons (he's missed 11 games total). In all, it's a low-risk move that has a lower ceiling, but also an OK floor.

Grade: C+

DE Dorance Armstrong

Contract details: 3 yrs $33 million ($11M APY), w/$22.125M guaranteed
Projected contract: 3 yrs $25.5 million ($8.5M APY), w/$15.5M guaranteed

Armstrong has recorded 21.0 sacks over the last three seasons as part of the Cowboys' pass rush rotation. Like Luvu, he's worked his way up over the years, except he's also played under Quinn, so the latter is well aware of his work habits and locker room presence.

At 26, it seems like Armstrong is ready for this next step in his career: to be one of the main guys getting after the quarterback. And his deal is pretty much a legit, two-year deal, as his 2025 base salary of $6 million is not only guaranteed for injury - it's officially on the books once April 1, 2025 rolls around.

Still, more than $22 million guaranteed is a lot to pay a rotational guy, even if there is a high ceiling with Armstrong. The good news is this deal could end up a steal if he plays like Quinn envisions.

Grade: C+

K Brandon McManus

Contract details: 1yr $3.6 million, w/$1.5M guaranteed
Projected contract: N/A

Out goes Joey Slye, the Commanders placekicker since about midway through the 2021 season, and in comes McManus, one of the league's most accurate kickers. He also has a powerful leg, as well.

Of all the Commanders' moves so far, this one should translate the quickest and easiest. McManus should come right in and have immediate success. He's pretty cheap, too.

Grade: A

LB Bobby Wagner

Contract details: 1 yr worth up to $8.5 million
Projected contract: 1 yr $5 million w/$5M guaranteed

Wagner seems to be getting better with age. The dude can still play as he heads into his age-34 season: Last year, he earned yet another second-team All-Pro nod and produced a Pro Bowl-caliber season in which he recorded a league-leading 183 total tackles, as well as 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss. six quarterback hits, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups.  

He's reliable too, only missing one game since 2019. This is the ultimate signing that not only gives Dan Quinn a reliable veteran that can help build a foundation and teach younger players, but Wagner is a guy that come in, start, and help the defense not only improve - but help win games.

This is Quinn's best signing, out of the gate, so far.

Grade: A+

The Sam Howell-Seahawks trade

Washington receives: The No. 78 pick (third round) and the No. 152 pick (fifth round) of the 2024 NFL Draft
Seattle receives: Sam Howell, pick No. 102 (fourth round) and pick No. 170 (sixth round)

Sure, Commanders GM, Adam Peters, has had his hand in every move of the offseason, but this was his time to shine and boy, did he hit it out of the park.

Remember, Howell was a fifth-round pick, and Peters was able to squeeze both a third-rounder and a fifth-rounder out of the Seahawks. That is in no way saying he robbed the 'Hawks, as it took two Washington picks to help seal the deal, but it's a great sign Peters knew just how much he could get for Howell and now, the Commanders have an extra third-rounder, even if it's the last pick in Round 3.

I would've preferred to have seen Howell stay, but it's clear this move signifies a QB going at No. 2 overall, and Howell has shown he has starting capability in the NFL. Trading Howell, especially to Seattle where Geno Smith's contract can be cut loose after this season, gives him a realistic shot at continuing to play starting football in the NFL.

In all, it's a trade that benefits both sides in the short- and long-term, which is as good as an NFL trade can get.

Grade: A

The rest of the bunch

• G Nick Allegretti - The Commanders have obvious needs along the offensive line and they've addressed two spots early-on. Allegretti was given a three-year, $16 million contract to come in and shore up the guard position, but I'm not so sure that happens considering he's been a rotational guy throughout his career. He played just 7% of offensive snaps with the Chiefs in 2023. Grade: D+
• DE Clelin Ferrell - This is obviously an Adam Peters pick thanks to Ferrell's time in San Fran. The former first-rounder had the best year of his career since his rookie season in 2019, but he's clearly a rotational guy, at this point. A one-year $3.75 million deal reflects that, yet also provides room for value. Grade: B-
• QB Marcus Mariota - Not sure what the Commanders are thinking, here. Sure, they need another QB that can come in and run Kliff Kingsbury's offense, but to pay Mariota $6 million on a one-year deal, at this point in his career, is illogical. The guy doesn't have it, anymore. Honestly, I'd prefer Sam Howell and a rookie over Mariota in the mix. Grade: D-
• DE Dante Fowler Jr. - He'll add some nice depth to the Commanders' pass rush. It's clear the Commanders still need one more guy opposite Armstrong and I expect them to address that through the draft, which would give the Commanders a good four-man rotation heading into summer. We still don't know details of Fowler's deal, so this is an incomplete grade, but a grade, nonetheless. Grade: B
• DB Jeremy Reaves - A core special teamer who earned a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl nod in 2022 for special teams play, Reaves is an excellent re-signing and is in the middle of his prime at 27. Grade: A
• LB Anthony Pittman - He's depth in the linebacker room, but should be a starter on special teams. He played at least 80% of Detroit's special teams snaps over the last three years and that will be the expectation in Washington. Grade: B
• DL Efe Obada - More depth for the defensive line. Obada had 4.0 sacks in 2022 as part of the pass rush rotation, but injuries limited him to five games in 2023. The Commanders need to find one more viable option opposite Armstrong and the DE position will be in solid shape. Grade: B-

Final grade: A

We had the Commanders with a B before the Wagner/Howell moves, but those decisions, along with the Reaves re-signing, bumped the overall grade up to an A. There haven't been any big splash moves, but that's OK. This roster is in much, much better shape than it was just seven days ago and that's a big win, right now.

They're doing just what Peters did in SF: Build through the draft and supplement through free agency. It's a good process to instill and it's one that's worked plenty in the past. The best part is, there's still plenty of time left in free agency and the draft will be a major weapon for the Commanders come April.