The Washington Commanders are poised to part ways with Marshon Lattimore, ending their brief tenure with the former first-round cornerback. This move, expected to be finalized soon, will free up $18.5 million in cap space. Lattimore was acquired in a 2024 trade with the New Orleans Saints, but inconsistent performances and off-field legal issues have led the organization to seek fresh cornerback options as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Lattimore’s time in Washington fell short of expectations, marked by career-low performance grades in 2024 and 2025 according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He ranked near the bottom among NFL corners in coverage ratings and struggled to make an impact over the limited games he played. Compounding the concerns, Lattimore faced legal troubles when he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and improperly handling firearms in a vehicle in early 2026. Given these circumstances, the Commanders are focusing on rejuvenating their secondary under general manager Adam Peters and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, who are targeting upgrades through free agency and the draft.
Top Candidates Among Free Agent Corners for Washington
While there are numerous cornerbacks available on the free-agent market, the Commanders are expected to target players who align with their philosophy of building a younger, more reliable roster foundation. Despite holding the fifth-most cap space in the NFL, the team aims to secure long-term contributors rather than short-term stopgaps. Four players stand out as realistic cornerback signings for Washington:
Eric Stokes, Las Vegas Raiders (Age 27)
Eric Stokes has established himself as a solid outside corner, recording 53 tackles and five passes defensed during the 2025 season. Yahoo Sports highlights his unique style, noting,
He has never produced much in the way of interceptions or PDs, because he starves himself of opportunities by shutting down the receivers in his coverage.
Stokes earned a 73.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking him 18th among 114 corners. His projected market value is around $7.4 million annually, potentially totaling $22.1 million over three years. However, the Raiders, who possess significant salary-cap flexibility, are likely to attempt to retain him, making his availability uncertain.
Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks (Age 27)
Coming off a Super Bowl title, Tariq Woolen has attracted interest as a physically imposing cornerback with a blend of coverage skills and playmaking ability. Yahoo Sports describes him as,
the type of long, physically imposing CB who should resonate with head coach Dan Quinn. He provides a great combination of ball production and lockdown coverage, which should appeal to any defensive coordinator.
Although Woolen’s PFF grade dropped to 59.8 in 2025 from 67.9 the previous year, it appears to be an exception rather than a trend. Woolen’s market value is estimated at $8.2 million per year, possibly averaging $24.6 million over a three-year deal.
Montaric Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars (Age 26)
Montaric Brown has quietly emerged as a dependable outside corner for the Jaguars, registering 51 tackles, 12 passes defended, and two interceptions in 2025. He is regarded as an underrated free-agent target. Yahoo Sports comments,
Brown has shown steady improvement in coverage at outside CB for the Jaguars throughout his rookie season. By 2025, he had developed into a quality starter in terms of coverage and ball production. He may be flying under the radar with fans, but NFL front offices will know who he is.
PFF ranked Brown as the 21st-best corner with a 75.5 coverage grade, placing him solidly in the upper tier. Contract projections suggest a three-year deal worth up to $27.7 million.
Jaylen Watson, Kansas City Chiefs (Age 27)
Jaylen Watson offers exceptional versatility, contributing effectively in coverage, run support, and as a blitzer, with four career sacks highlighting his multi-dimensional skill set. According to Yahoo Sports,
In addition to being a quality option in coverage, Watson also excels in run support, and was used effectively as a blitzer by the Chiefs, with 4 career sacks on his resume. Watson could become a useful chess piece to help disguise pressure in a zone blitz scheme like the one that Daronte Jones gained experience with in Minnesota.
Watson was the 16th-ranked corner according to PFF last season. His salary expectations are higher than other options, around $12.5 million annually, but his versatility could justify the premium.
Possibility of Drafting a Cornerback with a High Pick
The Commanders may also address the cornerback position in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, where they hold the seventh overall pick. One highly regarded prospect is Mansoor Delane from LSU. At 22 years old, Delane demonstrated solid skills during his rookie campaign, posting 45 tackles, 11 passes defensed, and two interceptions. Considered a “sticky-corner” who fits well within Daronte Jones’ defensive schemes, Delane has appeared in multiple mock drafts as a potential Commanders selection. While the team must weigh other positional priorities, adding a young, talented cornerback through the draft aligns with their stated goal of enhancing depth and youth on defense.
Looking Ahead for the Commanders’ Secondary
The decision to move on from Marshon Lattimore opens a critical chapter for the Commanders’ secondary, which ranked near the bottom of the league in coverage in 2025. General manager Adam Peters faces the challenge of reinforcing a vulnerable area that contributed to the team’s disappointing defensive performance. Whether through free agency by targeting reliable, versatile cornerbacks like Eric Stokes or Jaylen Watson, or by investing in promising rookies such as Mansoor Delane, the Commanders appear committed to building a stronger defensive backfield. These forthcoming personnel moves will be crucial to determining the team’s ability to rebound defensively and contend for playoff success in the seasons ahead.
For Daronte Jones to be highly aggressive, he needs "sticky" cornerbacks. 🔒
On today's Mock Draft Monday, we get him his "island pillar" at No. 7:
🐅 Mansoor Delaine, CB, LSU
📏 6'0", 190 lbs
Elite coverage skills to shadow WRs all day. pic.twitter.com/ENg41Qu7cH
— David Harrison (@DHarrison82) February 23, 2026
