Commanders can help Jayden Daniels by signing one of the NFL's most surprising cuts

NFL roster cuts are never fun to go through, for anyone. Even established players can't stand it.

It's part of the business, however, and that's just reality. One bright side to the situation is that, for some players, cutdown day can represent a new chance - a change of scenery that could help lead to bigger and better things.

The Washington Commanders have reshaped the 2024 roster in a major way by trading guys like Jahan Dotson and cutting guys like K.J. Henry, showing that this is a brand new era and the new regime isn't afraid to strip away what it feels like can be improved.

All of the other teams are doing the same thing, maybe not as in as dramatic a fashion as Washington. But still, there are guys out there who were victims of the numbers game and can contribute quality snaps on a consistent basis.

And, the Commanders could certainly use a couple of those guys on the roster. So, let's dive in, starting with the most obvious candidate in wide receiver Noah Brown.

**Quick note: Two of these guys are waiver targets and normally we would until after the waiver deadline passes at 12 p.m. ET to publish this, but the Commanders are second in the pecking order and the Bears don't need receivers or corners, so it works out.**

Noah Brown makes a lot of sense, but how healthy is he?

A shoulder injury has kept Brown off the practice field for the last couple of weeks and the end result was his release. It's a pretty surprising move, considering how he played in 2023. He finished the year with 33 receptions and a career-high 567 receiving yards, along with two receiving touchdowns for the Texans, which prompted the franchise to hand him a one-year, $4 million deal back in March.

Quinn and Brown were also in Dallas together, from 2020-2022, so there's a sense of familiarity, there, even if the two were on opposite sides of the line of scrimmage.

Brown isn't the tallest of receivers, but he'd be the second-tallest on the team at 6-foot-2, and has a solid build at 225-pounds. The Commanders receiver room isn't known for size, especially now that Brycen Tremayne has been cut . Brown would not only add depth, but he could be used in certain situations like red zone and whatnot, when considering the lack of size with the room, as a whole. And most importantly, he's a viable weapon for Jayden Daniels, even if he's not a top option.

Brown is a vested veteran, so he'll get to pick where he goes, instead of going through the waiver process. If Brown is healthy, the Commanders need to sign him as quick as possible. It's even worth considering if he's not 100%, since there is still nearly two weeks until the first game of the year. If he can be ready by Week 1, this is a no-brainer.

Other guys the Commanders need to think about adding to the roster

CB Caleb Farley

Farley has battled health issues his entire career and they're a big reason why he's been released by the Titans, but he's currently healthy, now. That's enough to take a flier on the former first-rounder, who would be a good fit for Dan Quinn's defensive scheme.

There's also the fact that the Commanders are very unsettled on the perimeter at cornerback. Rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil has the inside/nickel job locked down and should be a good player for years to come, but there isn't a true No. 1 corner on the roster, outside the hope that former first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes can live up to his draft billling.

Farley has dealt with a hamstring injury over the summer, but played in the preseason finale, which means he is in game shape and can play if needed. At 6-foot-2, 196-pounds, he has the size, length, and athleticism working for him.

And let's be honest: Even though Farley hasn't been healthy, can we honestly say the current group of Commanders corners is better than him? The answer to that question, alone, is why the team should look at picking him up off waivers.

WR Cody Thompson

Thompson was a preseason darling for the Buccaneers and led the NFL with 15 receptions over the course of the three games. Thompson has very good hands, is a good route runner, and is more than willing to do the dirty work. A very competitive DB group (the Bucs kept 11 guys) was the catalyst behind Thompson's release - not his lack of play.

At 6-foot-2, 205-pounds, Thompson doesn't have the exact size I've been whining about for months, now. However, he does play a lot bigger than what he comes in at, and that's good enough, at this point.