Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jonah Williams is a free agent to consider in 2024.
The worst offensive line on the 2023 Washington Commanders was led by tight end Andrew Wylie, who might be replaced in NFL free agency by Cincinnati Bengals star Jonah Williams in 2024.
According to Bryan Manning of Commanders Wire, Williams is the O-lineman the Commanders should want to sign. He argued for a list that Alyssa Barbieri of Touchdown Wire had put up, and according to Manning, Williams is attainable since the Bengals “have other players to pay, even though they would love to retain him.” He ought to have a robust market when he enters free agency.
Despite this, Williams switched to right tackle in 2023 to make room for Orlando Brown, having started his career at left tackle. Williams may be viewed as a left tackle by certain clubs, which would change his asking price.
Thankfully, Williams doesn’t require the Commanders to pay more than necessary. “Washington should pursue Williams to play right tackle and use the draft to find the left tackle of the future to protect the rookie quarterback,” the statement reads, not where they need him to play.
Although that’s a good strategy, Wylie would undoubtedly run into problems with it. especially considering that one of the team’s larger cap hits in 2024 is expected to be him.
Williams has plenty of room to spread out along Washington’s front five. “The Commanders could have as many as four new starters in 2024,” stated Manning. Only Sam Cosmi, the RG, is guaranteed a berth.
After Cosmi progressed from strength to strength in his final season as an NFL draft pick in the second round in 2021, keeping him makes sense. Cosmi received a PFF Commanders rating of “fourth among all guards.”
With Wylie signed by the Commanders due to Cosmi’s problems on the edge, the grade represented a successful position transition for Cosmi. Williams might offer some steadiness to the same position, but that didn’t work out.
On the other hand, Williams was a reliable presence on the right and put on some impressive pass-protection performances. like the Week 15 PFF CIN Bengals performance in which he blanked the Minnesota Vikings.
With performances such as these, Williams’ 2019 NFL draft ranking of 11th overall makes sense. Williams’ debut season was cut short due to shoulder injury, but he returned in spectacular fashion to assist the Bengals in 2021 to the Super Bowl.
He played a significant role in a playoff journey that ended with the Tennessee Titans as casualties. Pro-Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons was faced with an outstanding driving block by No. 73, a left tackle, which set up Joe Mixon for a score and demonstrated Williams’ strength in the running game.
Williams would increase the blocking of the Commanders during both stages. Something Wylie had difficulty with in the previous season.
After joining the NFC East, Wylie was unable to replicate that form. Rather, according to Pro Football Focus, the 29-year-old was a walking door for pass-rushers, giving up nine sacks, six quarterback hits, and 42 pressures. In Week 8, Wylie was tortured in his rematch with Reddick. Wylie’s problems were encapsulated in this sack, which Hogs Haven’s Mark Tyler brought to light.
It would be more economical to let Wylie go since, according to Spotrac.com, he will be liable for $9,416,666 in salary limit violations this year. In 2025, he will also be subject to a cap hit of $10,416,668.
The Commanders have ’25 as an out, but they might be able to get some value out of their investment if Wylie moves to left tackle or possibly left guard. Williams and Cosmi would at least guarantee that the Commanders are strong on one side of the lines.