The Washington Commanders have used second-round picks on cornerbacks in each of the past two NFL drafts. The Commanders traded three draft picks for cornerback Marshon Latimore before the 2024 trade deadline. So, you might think Washington would be in this position heading into the 2026 season.
This is not the case. Washington officially released Lattimore on Friday. He’s dealing with injuries, and he hasn’t been great when he’s been on the field. As for cornerbacks Mike Sainristil (2024) and Trey Amos (2025), the jury is still out. Sean Ristil was outstanding as a rookie in 2024, starting his career at the position before moving out of necessity. In 2025, Sean Ristier struggled, but continued to show his knack for creating turnovers.
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Amos looked outstanding as a rookie, but his season was cut short due to a leg injury in Week 10. Commanders are hoping a new defensive coordinator (Darronte Jones), who has a history of coaching defensive backs, can help the young cornerbacks. Washington’s other key cornerbacks from last season, Jonathan Jones and Noah Ibinogheni, are both free agents.
Cornerback is one of the positions often linked to a play-caller in free agency. They will sign one. Washington has more than $80 million in cap space to sign a better free agent cornerback. We examined six potential targets.
Saints CB Alontae Taylor
Taylor brings inside/outside versatility, having played both outside and inside positions for the Saints. He has played in all games the past three seasons and has 52 passes defended and four interceptions in his career. Taylor also brings speed to the cornerback position, something the play-callers have been lacking of late. Taylor will likely be the cornerback with the biggest contract in this market. However, there are some concerns. Will he be consistent enough to make the kind of money he’s about to receive?
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Giants CB Cor’Dale Flott
A third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Float had a breakout season in 2025, beating out high-priced Giants cornerback Paulsen Adebo. The 6-foot-2 Flott is only 24 years old and should have a strong market. If the Wizards are able to sign Flott, it would take a promising young defensive player away from a division rival. Considering his age and performance in 2025, there is a strong belief that his best football is ahead of him. The Giants would like to retain him, but that may be difficult. ESPN believes he will have a strong market.
Seahawks CB Tariq Wool
If we talk about potential, Woolen pleases everyone. Woolen is 6-foot-4 and ran a 4.26-meter 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL combine. He had a memorable rookie season, racking up 63 tackles and leading the NFL in interceptions and passes defensed. He was benched multiple times during Seattle’s run to the Super Bowl in 2025, but he still showed off his prowess. He also made a number of stupid calls. Woolen is only 26 years old and his length and athleticism will appeal to every team. He could end up being a steal or a bust. There’s a lot of risk here, but the rewards can also be huge.
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Buccaneers CB Jalen Dean
Dean has been a quality player since entering the NFL in 2019. He has been a key part of Tampa Bay’s defense for seven seasons and will test free agency for the first time. Dean’s addition will depend on the program Jones plans to run. Dean will turn 30 during the season, and his age may also limit his market. He missed at least two games in each season. Dean remains a consistent and consistent performer.
Chiefs CB Jaylen Watson
It seems like every time Kansas City takes a corner kick, he becomes a reliable starter. It’s somewhat surprising that the Chiefs haven’t tried to lock up Watson yet, since they traded Trent McDuffie before paying a big fee. There’s a lot to like about Watson: He can play in a one-man or zone scheme. He’s long and devastating. However, he only has three career interceptions but has two in 2025.
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Jaguars CB Greg Newsome
A former first-round pick, Newsome was traded from the Browns to the Jaguars in 2025. In five seasons in the NFL, Newsome appeared in 71 games and had only four interceptions. He did have 43 passes defended. Newsome is more suitable for regional scenarios. It’s unclear what Jones will do with the Commanders, but free agency should provide a good indication.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders 2026 free agency: 6 cornerback targets