Earlier in the free agency, commanders Andrew Norwell, another former Carolina Panther, signed on to take over as left guard following the release of Ereck Flowers.
In 2020, the Panthers switched the Los Angeles Chargers to tackle Russell Okung. In his only season in LA, Turner was limited to nine games due to a groin injury before being released. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in June last year and started all 17 games on the right guard.
At the league meetings in March, Rivera said the right guard will be in a “very competitive position” in training camp, with Wes Schweitzer and Saahdiq Charles among those expected to fight for the job. The commanders took Chris Paul, a 6-foot-4, 324-pound guard out of Tulsa, in the seventh round Saturday. He has experience from both guard and tackle positions, but will likely be more of a development player and backup.
After the draft, Rivera indicated that the commanders will continue to add pieces.
“Last year, we were able to fill a couple of places that we really thought we were comfortable with,” Rivera said. “We found our left tackle (Charles Leno Jr.), we found our returns (DeAndre Carter) after the draft.”
Several rookies are joining the fold
The commanders announced that they had signed 13 undisclosed free agents. The team is holding its rookie minicamp from May 5th to 7th.
Here are the 13 additions:
CB De’Vante Cross, Virginia
CB Josh Drayden, California
WR Jequez Ezzard, Sam Houston State
LB Ferrod Gardner, Louisiana Lafayette
TE Curtis Hodges, Arizona State
QB Cole Kelley, southeastern Louisiana
WR Kyric McGowan, Georgia Tech
DE Jacub Panasiuk, Michigan State
G Tyrese Robinson, Oklahoma
CB Devin Taylor, Bowling Green
LB Drew White, Notre Dame