3 Hidden Good NFL Free Agents The Commanders Must Sign In The 2026 Offseason

Pressure is in the position of head coach of the Washington Commanders Dan Quinn 2026 and he took great chance with young coordinators. Things could be easier if the team does things the right way over the next few months. And here are three sneaky NFL free agents the Chiefs must sign in the 2026 offseason.

Defense. Defense. Defense. And maybe, a wide receiver. Commanders must hit these positions hard. And then make a home run pick with their No. 7 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

This impressive defensive end should be at the top of the free agent list.

The Commanders should target rusher Jalan Phillips

There is a clear reason to pursue Phillips. It meets the great need of the commander. They should sign him and still draft the edge rusher at No. 7.

Phillips wasn’t a big guy, but he was fine in pressures of the backaccording to Pro Football Focus.

“Injuries have plagued Phillips’ career, but he looked closer to his prime after arriving in Philly before the trade deadline,” PFF wrote. “From Week 10 forward, he earned a 70.2 PFF rushing grade and racked up 44 total pressures.”

Phillips’ 77.1 grade was the second highest of his career. His pass rush win rate ranks in the NFL’s top 20 among qualifying defensive backs.

There’s still a lot to like about Phillips, a former first-round pick who’s only 26 years old.

Phillips said he didn’t know will he stay in Philadelphia, according to pennlive.com.

“I really don’t know,” Phillips said. “It’s up to my agent, and ultimately me. But this is my first experience with it, so I’m not really sure how it’s going to play out. But we’ll see. I’m excited. It’s all up to my agent, but also up to me.

“Obviously, I have a family now. I have a kid on the way, so I have to think about that. But also, I want to be on a competitive team, in an environment where I love the guys around me and I love the organization that I play for. I feel like I feel that here. At the end of the day, I’m sure I’ll be able to do the most in myself. That.”

Commanders should also consider Odafe Oweh’s edge in attack

It might not seem like something an NFL team would do. But the commanders would not be crazy to bring two stormtroopers. The position has failed the team in 2025. A huge upgrade is badly needed.

So if the Chiefs decided to go with a linebacker, cornerback or receiver at No. 7, why not bring in Odage Oveh along with Phillips?

He looked the part with the Chargers this year. He recorded 7.5 sacks in 12 games with Los Angeles. His effort in the Wild Card loss to the Patriots showed it all, with three sacks and two forced fumbles.

“A midseason trade from the Baltimore Ravens to the Los Angeles Chargers kicked off a career year for Odafe Oveh at an ideal time as he heads into free agency,” PFF wrote. “He recorded three sacks and two forced fumbles in the Chargers’ playoff loss to the New England Patriots and ranked 11th among edge defenders in PFF’s pass-winning percentage (16.5%) after arriving in Los Angeles.

These won’t get away from the Chargers easily, because they probably will try to keep everything him around, according to The Athletic.

“This should be a priority for the Chargers as they evaluate their remaining free agents,” wrote Daniel Popper. “He’s still only 27 years old. He’s an up-and-coming player who has started to show more variety in his passing arsenal since joining the Chargers. He’s a known quantity on this defense.”

Commanders need VR Alex Pierce

If the Chiefs can’t get both edge rushers, they need to get one and also throw in a veteran receiver who is coming into his own as a potential exception in the NFL. That’s what Pierce brings to the table, according to Pro Football Focus.

“Pierce had a career year in 2025, ranking 16th among wide receivers in PFF reception grade (81.0) and 17th in yards per carry (2.10),” PFF wrote. “A real threat down the stretch, he led the NFL in average depth of field (20.0) and yards per reception (21.3).”

That’s exactly the type the Commanders and Jaden Daniels need. Combined with Terry McLaurin on the other end, the Commanders would give the defense a lot of trouble.

At 25, Pierce he could come in three- or four-year prime minister. He has already shown a lot, according to Athletic.

“His ability to turn the field on deep catches and win 50/50 balls, while also expanding his route tree to make more of an impact in the short and intermediate passing game, will have suitors lining up to sign him,” wrote James Boyd.