Commanders Add Two Free-Agent Receivers to Bolster Offense

Washington brings back Dyami Brown and signs Van Jefferson to address a major roster need.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:08pm

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The Washington Commanders have added two free-agent wide receivers, Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson, to their roster. Brown is returning to the team after spending one season with the Jaguars, while Jefferson joins the Commanders after stints with the Rams, Falcons, Steelers, and Titans. Neither receiver has proven to be a consistent No. 2 option behind star wideout Terry McLaurin, but both provide traits the Commanders were lacking, such as speed and the ability to stretch the field.

Why it matters

The Commanders' receiving corps was decimated by injuries last season, and the team was missing a threat who could win over the top like Brown did at times in his first stint in Washington. Jefferson provides versatility, speed, and depth, which the Commanders badly need at the position. These additions help address a major roster void for the team.

The details

Brown, a 2021 third-round pick by the Commanders, spent his first four seasons in Washington before leaving in 2025 to sign a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jaguars. Jefferson was drafted 57th overall out of Florida in 2020 and had a breakout season in 2021 with the Rams, filling in for an injured Robert Woods. However, his production has been inconsistent since then, with stints in Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee.

  • Brown spent his first four seasons with the Commanders before leaving in 2025.
  • Jefferson was drafted by the Rams in 2020 and had a breakout season in 2021.
  • Jefferson has since played for the Falcons, Steelers, and Titans.

The players

Dyami Brown

A 2021 third-round pick by the Commanders who spent his first four seasons with the team before leaving in 2025 to sign a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jaguars.

Van Jefferson

A former second-round pick who won Super Bowl LVI with the L.A. Rams in 2021. He has since had stints with the Falcons, Steelers, and Titans.

Terry McLaurin

The Commanders' star wide receiver and the team's clear No. 1 option in the passing game.

David Blough

The Commanders' first-year offensive coordinator, who will have more flexibility with the additions of Brown and Jefferson.

Adam Peters

The Commanders' general manager, who has said his goal in free agency is to build up the roster so he can pick the best player available in the draft.

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What’s next

The Commanders are likely to continue adding more receiving help, as this year's draft class is especially deep on receiving talent. General manager Adam Peters has said his goal in free agency is to build up the roster so he can pick the best player available in the draft, and not necessarily the position that needs filling.

The takeaway

The Commanders' additions of Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson help address a major roster void at wide receiver, providing the team with more speed, versatility, and depth in the passing game. However, the team still needs to continue bolstering its receiving corps, as it aims to build a well-rounded offense around star wideout Terry McLaurin.