Washington Commanders sign DE Joshua Josephs

Joshua Josephs earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI) on this four-year, $4.9M signing—a middle-tier value play that reflects measured risk for a depth edge rusher in an offseason acquisition. At $1.23M AAV, the deal is lean enough to offer flexibility, but Josephs carries the typical profile of a reserve defensive end: useful rotation depth with limited upside and no franchise-cornerstone expectations. The Commanders, sitting at 5-12 and outside the playoff picture, are building for the future rather than chasing immediate impact, which makes a low-cost, low-ceiling signing strategically sound. What works here is the risk-reward alignment—four years locks in minimal dead-cap exposure if he doesn't develop, while the modest AAV doesn't create cap strain during a roster rebuild. What works against it is that a C+ grade signals this isn't a steal or a misstep, just competent roster management: Josephs fills a line role without moving the needle on either side of the ledger. The signing lands right where it should for a team in transition—prudent, forgettable, and appropriately scaled to the player's perceived talent tier.