The Washington Commanders are set to lose several defensive players to free agency, including Kendall Fuller and Kamren Curl. As they head into the 2024-25 season, Fuller, recognized as a top cornerback by PFF, is anticipated to either sign with a new team or renegotiate with the Commanders. With several teams interested, the Las Vegas Raiders are considered a likely destination for Fuller, according to Brad Spielberger of PFF.
Spielberger notes that Fuller benefits from the franchise tags given to Jaylon Johnson and L’Jarius Sneed, positioning him as the premier cornerback available this offseason. Fuller is seeking his third contract after three consecutive seasons with over 1,000 snaps and a coverage grade of 75.0. His previous versatility as both a nickel and safety adds to his value, particularly for teams like the Cardinals and Raiders, who need experienced presence in their secondaries.
Having played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Fuller is familiar with the AFC West, making a move to the Raiders a plausible scenario.
Kendall Fuller’s Expected $54 Million Contract
As one of the top free agents, Fuller is poised to command a significant contract. While he earned $8.5 million with the Commanders in 2023, Spotrac projects that he could secure a four-year, $54.5 million deal. This would place him in line with other top cornerbacks like Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and Cameron Sutton.
The Raiders, with $42 million in cap space, could benefit from investing in Fuller. Their current cornerbacks—Marcus Peters, Nate Hobbs, and Jakorian Bennett—did not perform well in 2023, making Fuller’s acquisition a strong move.
Levi Damien of Raiders Wire identifies Fuller as the top free-agent cornerback the Raiders should target. Fuller has consistently delivered strong performance, including nearly 12 pass breakups and three interceptions per season since 2017, and contributed in the playoffs during his Super Bowl win with the Chiefs in 2019.
Potential for Fuller to Stay with the Commanders
With over $90 million in cap space, the Commanders have the financial flexibility to re-sign Fuller. New head coach Dan Quinn, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, will need to bolster the defense. The Commanders had the worst passing defense in the NFL last season, allowing 262.2 yards per game, while the Raiders were more competitive, allowing 212.4 yards per game, ranking 11th.
Despite the Commanders’ defensive struggles, Fuller’s strong performance makes him an attractive option for both the Raiders and other teams across the league.