Former first round draft pick headlines 2 waiver wire players Commanders need to target after roster cuts

The Washington Commanders announced the initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season, but the initial results are labeled as such for a reason: it's not official.

Things will be in a fluid position all year long, as injuries and other circumstances have an effect on how Adam Peters and Dan Quinn shape the roster.

Regardless, between now and Wednesday, August 28 at 12 p.m. ET, there are two players on the waiver wire the Commanders should really think about bringing in. The best part about all of this is Washington has the No. 2 spot, so anything the Bears don't want, can be the Commanders', if they so desire.

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, as evidenced by the fact he played in the final preseason game.

That's enough to take a flier on the former first-rounder, who would be a good fit for Dan Quinn's defensive scheme. At 6-foot-2, 196-pounds, he has the required size, length, and athleticism need to succeed in Quinn's C1/C3, press-heavy scheme. That's what Mike Vrabel liked to run in Tennessee and what the Commanders' current staff ultimately desires in Washington.

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 billing.

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 the decision to cut Thompson - not his lack of play.

It was honestly a surprise to see Thompson waived, even if the Bucs had their top-5 receivers set in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, and Kameron Johnson. He was simply that good.

Thompson has also had his best moments in a more, quote-unquote "spread-friendly" offense like the one Kliff Kingsbury is going to run in Washington. That, along with a cheap salary and plenty of cap space, makes sense for the fit.

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.