Three free agent cornerbacks the Washington Commanders could target in 2026

After last season’s 5-12 finish, one thing is abundantly clear for Washington football fans. The team needs to add a significant amount of talent during the offseason. While Adam Peters will continue to use the draft, the Commanders GM will also have an estimated $82 million in cap space at his disposal after various projected restructures, releases, and dead cap hits. Jayden Daniels is entering his third year, and the clock is ticking on the franchise quarterback’s rookie contract, making this arguably the most critical free agency of the new millennium for Washington. With free agency set to open on March 11th, Hogs Haven will be working to bring you articles on potential targets to fill various positions of need:

Top Needs:

• EDGE
• Safety
• Linebacker
• Wide Receiver
• Cornerback
• Tight end

Secondary Needs:

• Running Back
• Defensive Tackle

In each article, we will briefly summarize the team’s current situation at the position, traits the coaching staff will prioritize, along with a list of the top free agents and a detailed look at a few players that fit the team at different projected average annual values (AAV), typically one high-, one moderate-, and one low-cost contract.

Today, we begin our series with the cornerback position.

Position Summary

Currently Under Contract:

• Marshon Lattimore: Retains a significant veteran presence.
• Mike Sainristil: Second-round pick (2024) entering his third season.
• Trey Amos: Under contract following his rookie season.
• Darius Rush:  Reserve/future contract
• Qwuantrezz Knight: Reserve/future contract
• Tre Hawkins: Reserve/future contract
• Car’lin Vigers: Reserve/future contract

Significant Free Agents:

• Jonathan Jones
• Noah Igbinoghene
• Antonio Hamilton

Marshon Lattimore is almost a lock to be released before March 11, leaving the Commanders with only one projected starter in second-year CB Trey Amos. After Mike Sainristil’s sophomore campaign, his role for 2026 is unclear, while free agents Jonathan Jones and Antonio Hamilton should be allowed to walk. Noah Igbinoghene may be retained at the right price, but was brought over from the Cowboys and has no ties to new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Jones is expected to prioritize aggressive, scheme-versatile athletes that specialize in attacking the ball and generating turnovers.

Top 2026 Cornerback Free Agents:

Nahshon Wright
Jaylen Watson
Jamel Dean
Alontae Taylor
Josh Jobe
Cordale Flott
Montaric Brown
Cam Taylor-Britt
Greg Newsome
Tariq Woolen
Trevon Diggs
Eric Stokes
Roger McCreary
Dee Alford
Jack Jones
Rasul Douglas

Jaylen Watson, 27, Chiefs

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 197lbs

Career Stats:

Defense & Fumbles Table

							Def Interceptions					Fumbles						Tackles
Season	Age	Team	Lg	Pos	G	GS	Int	Yds	IntTD	Lng	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds	FRTD	Sk	Comb	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sfty	AV	Awards
2022	24	KAN	NFL	DB	16	6	1	99	1	99	6	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	49	37	12	3	0	0	3
2023	25	KAN	NFL	CB	16	2	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	2.0	33	28	5	2	2	0	2
2024	26	KAN	NFL	RCB	6	6	0	12	0	12	6	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	32	21	11	0	0	0	2
2025	27	KAN	NFL	CB	15	15	2	14	0	14	6	0	0	0	0	0	2.0	64	42	22	3	2	0	7
4 Yrs					53	29	3	125	1	99	24	0	0	0	0	0	4.0	178	128	50	8	4	0	14
17 Game Avg					17	9	1	40	0	99	8	0	0	0	0	0	1.3	57	41	16	3	1	0	4

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/9/2026.

Spotrac Projection: 3 years, $37,423,638

AAV: $12,474,546

Jaylen Watson is one of the premier cornerbacks in this year’s free agency cycle for good reason, the 7th-round draft pick exploded in a full time role with the Chiefs after missing a good portion of 2024 due to injury. He did not allow a touchdown on 478 coverage snaps and 64 targets and also picked off two passes while allowing a passer rating of just 79.0 to opposing quarterbacks. The 27-year old has plus size and length while being considered a scheme-versatile, disciplined player with more than 2,000 snaps played at outside corner. Boasting a 9.21 RAS score, he has plenty of athleticism and experience in Steve Spagnoulo’s system which utilizes an aggressive style with plenty of disguised looks.

While his production in the turnover category might be lacking, he would provide a steady, consistent presence on the outside that would minimize big plays. As an added bonus, Watson recorded 64 tackles last year, 42 solo, with a 1.5 missed tackle rate so he is also strong in that area as well:

What a *textbook* tackle by Jaylen Watson, and on 3rd and short no less, when KC absolutely needed to get off the field in a game where points are hard to come by.

Just great football. https://t.co/mFFkPky03M

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) December 8, 2025

While Spotrac predicts a very reasonable $12.5m AAV, I believe there will be several suitors for Watson’s services, and he may end up more in the $15-16m AAV range. If Jaylen is able to repeat his production from last season over the full length of his contract, he would be well worth it.

Josh Jobe, 27, Seahawks

Height: 5’11

Weight: 190lbs

Career Stats:

Defense & Fumbles Table

							Def Interceptions					Fumbles						Tackles
Season	Age	Team	Lg	Pos	G	GS	Int	Yds	IntTD	Lng	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds	FRTD	Sk	Comb	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sfty	AV	Awards
2022	24	PHI	NFL	CB	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1
2023	25	PHI	NFL	CB	17	3	0	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	0	0	0.0	22	20	2	0	0	0	1
2024	26	SEA	NFL	CB	10	6	1	33	0	33	7	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	37	29	8	0	0	0	3
2025	27	SEA	NFL	CB	16	15	1	0	0	0	12	0	0	0	0	0	0.5	54	41	13	0	2	0	5
4 Yrs					54	24	2	33	0	33	23	1	0	0	0	0	0.5	114	90	24	0	2	0	10
17 Game Avg					17	8	1	10	0	33	7	0	0	0	0	0	0.2	36	28	8	0	1	0	3
PHI (2 Yrs)					28	3	0	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	0	0	0.0	23	20	3	0	0	0	2
SEA (2 Yrs)					26	21	2	33	0	33	19	0	0	0	0	0	0.5	91	70	21	0	2	0	8

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/10/2026.

Spotrac Projection: 3 years, $29,221,872,

Avg. Salary: $9,740,624

While somewhat lesser known than his counterpart Tariq Woolen, Josh Jobe enjoyed an impressive showing in the Super Bowl, including a great pass breakup on third down versus Kayshon Boutte:

Josh Jobe – SuperBowl LX film
Jobe played in 2025 on a 1 year, 2 million dollar contract and made money during Super Bowl LX. He had a team-high 7 tackles and 1 PD, playing spectacular coverage while often being targeted by Drake Maye.#Seahawks#SeattleSeahawks#SuperBowlLXpic.twitter.com/4DqvpQlw4I

— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) February 10, 2026

Don’t base your evaluation on the Super Bowl alone, as Jobe played well all season. He made 16 appearances (15 starts) in the regular season, giving up just 45 catches on 91 targets (49.5 completion percentage) for 517 yards. While he did give up four touchdowns, opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of just 77.0 when targeting him, and he held his opposition to 11.5 yards per reception, the lowest mark of his career.

The downside is Jobe doesn’t have the size and length defensive coordinators covet, and his production and playing time were limited until this season. Those items will cost him on the free agent market although his performance in postseason is reflected in his projected price tag. It makes Jobe a nice mid-level target in free agency as a young, ascending player that can handle Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme and a likely fit for Daronte Jones as well.

Fabian Moreau, 31, Vikings

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 197lbs

Career Stats:

Defense & Fumbles Table

							Def Interceptions					Fumbles						Tackles
Season	Age	Team	Lg	Pos	G	GS	Int	Yds	IntTD	Lng	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds	FRTD	Sk	Comb	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sfty	AV	Awards
2017	23	WAS	NFL	DB	16	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	14	7	7	1	1	0	1
2018	24	WAS	NFL	LCB	16	10	1	16	0	16	5	3	0	0	0	0	0.0	58	37	21	0	0	0	4
2019	25	WAS	NFL	DB	12	7	3	16	0	10	5	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	44	33	11	0	0	0	3
2020	26	WAS	NFL	DB	16	1	2	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	9	7	2	0	0	0	2
2021	27	ATL	NFL	RCB	16	16	0	0	0	0	11	0	0	1	0	0	0.0	61	44	17	3	0	0	5
2022	28	NYG	NFL	RCB	14	11	0	0	0	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	66	50	16	0	0	0	4
2023	29	DEN	NFL	CB	16	11	1	9	0	9	7	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	46	33	13	1	0	0	4
2024	30	MIN	NFL	CB	7	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	7	6	1	0	0	0	0
2025	31	MIN	NFL	CB	11	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	17	13	4	0	0	0	1
9 Yrs					124	56	7	41	0	16	45	3	0	1	0	0	0.0	322	230	92	5	1	0	24
17 Game Avg					17	8	1	6	0	16	6	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	44	32	13	1	0	0	3
WAS (4 Yrs)					60	18	6	32	0	16	14	3	0	0	0	0	0.0	125	84	41	1	1	0	10
MIN (2 Yrs)					18	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	24	19	5	0	0	0	1
ATL (1 Yr)					16	16	0	0	0	0	11	0	0	1	0	0	0.0	61	44	17	3	0	0	5
DEN (1 Yr)					16	11	1	9	0	9	7	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	46	33	13	1	0	0	4
NYG (1 Yr)					14	11	0	0	0	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	66	50	16	0	0	0	4

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 2/10/2026.

Spotrac Projection:1 years, $1,125,645

Avg. Salary: $1,125,645

Fans should be very familiar with this final name on our list. Fabian Moreau was drafted by Washington in the third round and played for the Burgundy & Gold from 2017 to 2020. Jeff Okudah is a popular depth signing to associate with the Commanders in free agency, but it was actually Fabian Moreau who played more snaps for Daronte Jones last season. After Okudah was sidelined with concussions, Fabian played 198 snaps and allowed a 54.2 passer rating on 20 targets. While his age would seem to make him the less attractive of the two options, Moreau has spent the last two years in Minnesota, and provides more familiarity with Jones. A return to D.C. on a low-cost, one-year deal to compete for a roster spot while helping to install Jones’ scheme could make a lot of sense, even if he ultimately ends up on the practice squad as emergency depth.

Bottom Line

Adam Peters needs to roll Marshon Lattimore’s salary($18.5m) into another viable starter on the boundary to pair with Amos, whether it be Watson or another top free agent.

Expect at least one low-cost, versatile depth signing while possibly retaining Igbinoghene, who carries a projected contract of one year, $2.4 million.

It will be interesting to see which direction Jones goes with Sainristil and how UDFA Car’lin Vigers looks in a new scheme, but multiple additions in free agency will be required.