Commanders Cap Room: Use It, Or ... Sign?

The Washington Commanders are preparing for the regular season to open in just a few weeks. As it stands right now, Washington still has over $36 million available in cap space for the upcoming season per OverTheCap.com.

In the NFL, yes, that does roll over to the next season. So Washington can sit this and wait.

Or ... Utilizing the cap space to better the team could put the Commanders in position to make a huge splash in their Year 1 rebuild.

Which shall it be?

Here is a list of players that the Commanders could sign to one-year deals to improve the team before opening weekend.  The contract numbers are based on a combination of what they made last year and my own personal thoughts of player depreciation.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore – 1-year, $6 million

Let’s be honest, last year’s first round pick Emmanuel Forbes just isn’t good enough, or big enough for that matter, to be a cover corner on the outside in the NFL. He came in last year at just 165 pounds, one of the lightest players ever drafted.

The Commanders have put an emphasis on defense, especially with head coach Dan Quinn at the helm.

Gilmore knows the defense and can still play at a high level. This would be a great pairing. Washington needs a corner and Gilmore needs a job. I don’t see the problem.

Defensive End – Yannick Ngakoue – 1-year, $7 million

Dante Fowler is a nice player, let me start with that. Ngakoue can not only start, but is also versatile enough to play both end positions to spell both Fowler and Dorance Armstrong if necessary.

He can also be every-down player that gets pressure on the quarterback consistently. He started 13 games for the Bears last season, collecting four sacks.

Safety – Justin Simmons – 1-year, $15 million

Why Simmons doesn’t have a job is absolutely beyond me. He was a Pro Bowler last year and has been selected second-team All-Pro in three consecutive years. He started 15 games for the Broncos last season totaling 70 tackles and three interceptions along the way.

Simmons is an easy upgrade over second-year man Quan Martin. Simmons - though pricy - would make an immediate impact alongside Jeremy Chinn in the Commanders secondary.

Related: Ben Sinnott vs. Zach Ertz, Who Wins Commanders' TE Roster Spot?

Receiver – Michael Thomas – 1-year $4 million

Thomas was once arguably the best receiver in football. The former All-Pro’s career came crashing down due to injuries. He played in 10 games for the Saints last year and started to look like his old self again toward the end of the season.

A big target on the outside moving Jahan Dotson and Dyami Brown to the inside in four receiver sets could offer a big, sure-handed target to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Commanders’ owner Josh Harris spent $6.05 billion to buy the team. Is it time to spend ... or to save?