2 Free Agents Commanders Must Avoid Signing in 2026 NFL Free Agency

The Washington Commanders have specific free-agent needs, but here are two players they must avoid signing in 2026 NFL free agency.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Washington Commanders need help on the defensive side of the ball, but the article advises them to avoid signing wide receiver Mike Evans and cornerback Riq Woolen in 2026 NFL free agency. Evans is seen as too old and injury-prone, while Woolen has had inconsistent play and discipline issues.

Why it matters

The Commanders have already committed a large contract to wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and adding the aging Evans would create an expensive and potentially underperforming receiving duo. Woolen's past struggles with consistency and discipline are also seen as red flags that the Commanders should avoid.

The details

The article argues that while Evans can still make big plays, his age and injury history make him a risky free agent signing for the Commanders, who need to get younger and faster on offense. As for Woolen, the cornerback had a strong start to his career but struggled in 2025 before finishing the season stronger. However, his benching and a key penalty in a playoff game raise concerns about his ability to be a reliable starter.

  • In 2025, Evans played only 8 games and caught 30 passes with 3 touchdowns.
  • In 2023, Woolen had 6 interceptions as a rookie. In 2024, he had 3 interceptions and 14 passes defended.
  • In 2025, Woolen was benched after struggling, but made a comeback late in the season.

The players

Mike Evans

A six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who has played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers his entire career.

Riq Woolen

A cornerback who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks and had an inconsistent 2025 season, including being benched before finishing stronger.

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What they’re saying

“He still has a rare size-speed-physicality blend. Evans is elite at the catch point in 50-50 situations. He is tough to handle at the line of scrimmage, even for bigger corners. And he is a three-level threat who can win in the short, intermediate, and deep parts of the field.”

— Daniel Popper (The Athletic)

“I think those are kind of expectations you have for your guys. That's how we want to handle those situations. Sometimes it comes different ways, and guys have different ways of reacting to it. But that's kind of the types of guys we want around here. And Riq is one of those guys. He's done a great job.”

— Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Coach (heraldnet.com)

The takeaway

The Commanders need to be cautious in free agency, avoiding high-priced veterans like Mike Evans who may be past their prime, as well as players like Riq Woolen who have shown inconsistency and discipline issues. The team should focus on younger, more reliable talent to build a sustainable roster.