Some familiarity for Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters could end up equaling some depth in the secondary for the franchise.
“Veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon is visiting the Commanders tomorrow, source says,” NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo wrote on his official X account on Thursday. “Entering his 10th season, Witherspoon was drafted by the 49ers when now-Washington GM Adam Peters was a personnel executive for the Niners.”
Witherspoon, 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, was a 3rd round pick (No. 66 overall) by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2017 NFL draft.
He played the last 3 seasons for the Rams, including a career-high 17 starts in 2023, and has approximately $18 million in career earnings through the end of the 2025 season.
Incredible Leap From JuCo to Pac-12 Football
One of the reasons Witherspoon has crafted such a lengthy career is because of his elite size and speed — he’s 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.45 seconds at the NFL scouting combine to go with a 40.5-inch vertical leap.
The size is notable because Witherspoon, a Sacramento native, was just 5-foot-8 at the end of his senior year of high school but grew to 6-foot-3 over his freshman season at Sacramento City College in 2013.
Witherspoon played his final 3 college seasons at Colorado, where he was an All-Pac-12 selection in 2016 after he led the nation with 23 pass deflections.
Witherspoon, a Sacramento native, was an All-Pac-12 pick in his final season at the University of Colorado after he led the nation with 23 pass deflections.
Commanders Signed Potential Starter in Free Agency
The Commanders were a mess at cornerback in 2025, where former Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore was a constant disappointment before he tore his ACL in a Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Lattimore was released in March to create $18.5 million in salary cap space — money the Commanders turned around and used to bring in Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson on a 2-year, $16 million free agent contract, which included $9.3 million in guaranteed money.
“Washington badly needs more bodies at (cornerback) considering they entered this period with only two guaranteed roster players at the position: Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil,” ESPN’s John Keim wrote. “The Commanders need to keep adding to this spot. But with Robertson they add someone who can play inside or outside — much like Sainristil. It provides Washington with more versatility for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, who has been known for his coverage disguises. Robertson has started 25 games in his five-year career, and though his best spot has been the slot, he can move around.”
Commanders Used Recent 1st Round Pick on CB
The Commanders have drafted 4 cornerbacks in the last 3 years. The highest pick of them all is no longer on the roster.
Washington and former head coach Ron Rivera drafted Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in the 1st round (No. 16 overall) of the 2023 NFL draft, only to watch him get torched in Week 4 by Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown for 9 receptions, 175 yards, and 2 touchdowns, then bounced in and out of the lineup the rest of the season.
After Rivera was fired, the new regime under head coach Dan Quinn saw enough of Forbes after just 6 games of the 2024 regular season to release him. He landed with the Rams almost right away and, playing alongside Witherspoon, became a full-time starter in 2025 with career highs of 43 tackles, 18 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions.
Commanders Set to Host $18 Million Veteran CB on Free Agent Visit