A film session breaking down how the Commanders may view their new additions to the defensive line
The Commanders added four defensive linemen during the initial free agency period. Jake Martin, Eddie Goldman, Deatrich Wise, and Javon Kinlaw were all brought in to help shift the identity of the Washington Commanders’ defensive front. The Commanders hope to eliminate the consistent setting of soft edges and the absence of a true disruptive presence among its interior defensive line. Furthermore, in their search to find an edge rush presence following the loss of Dante Fowler Jr., who produced 10.5 sacks in 2024, they acquired OLB/Edge Jake Martin from the Chicago Bears, who already has a solid pass rush toolbox but may be maximized in the Commanders’ defensive scheme.
I took a look at the tape for each of Washington’s new veteran additions and outlined below each of their strengths below.
Jake Martin’s pass rush toolbox provides Washington with juice along the edge.
Martin has a good upfield burst and a rush plan that allows him to be a threat outside the tackle. Martin’s career-high is four sacks, so he has yet to break through in the NFL from a statistical standpoint. Martin plays with good pad level and hand usage, which allows him to create pressure and win on speed rushes, speed-to-power, and pure bull rushes. He has a good chop-rip rush move and a sneaky long arm, which, due to solid hand placement when engaged, can get him good enough leverage to drive his opponent into the quarterback.
From an alignment standpoint, the Chicago Bears utilized him as a 3, 5, 6, and 7-technique lineman. His athleticism can stress tackles and provide advantages for his coordinator, Joe Whitt Jr, depending on the situation. His competitiveness extends to his leg drive and a natural motor that highlights his ability to counter a lineman who defeats his initial move.
Eddie Goldman’s block processing gives Washington the ability to play fast in the interior
Goldman’s unique trait revolves around his ability to quickly identify and process block schemes. He shows excellent play strength in 1-on-1 blocking situations, and his mental processing heightens his play speed, allowing him to be prepared for engagements. The Falcons primarily used him as their 0 or 1-technique lineman and were able to win against downhill blocks versus perimeter run schemes. Goldman’s frame is exceptional, and he’ll naturally take on plenty of double-team and combo blocks, but he has to improve his functional strength to stalemate/withstand the combination blocks. However, Goldman is a smart football player with quality football instincts, a valuable trait among this defensive front.
Deatrich Wise gap discipline and alignment versatility allows Washington to set stronger edges
Wise, similar to Goldman, has impressive football instincts and excellent mental processing. He brings power and functional strength to the unit but has solid athleticism to thrive as a run defender and situational pass rusher. Wise plays with good gap discipline and is an exceptional force defender on the edge, not allowing runners to bounce to the edge. He plays with good eyes and hand usage in the run game and understands where his hat is supposed to be to defend the run. Wise knows how to disengage and shed blocks to make the tackle as a playside edge defender, but also knows when to stay disciplined to keep containment on a runner. Wise is more versatile than Goldman as a run defender. The Patriots primarily utilized him as their 3, 4, and 5 technique, but Wise has also shown good fluid lateral movement to defend against zone-scheme concepts while maintaining the proper play strength to disengage from Reach blockers.
Javon Kinlaw’s physicality explosiveness, and alignment versatility provides Washington with a disruptive presence upfront
The Commanders see a ton of potential in Javon Kinlaw. What is most impressive about Kinlaw, if you watch the tape, is his explosiveness. What can get frustrating is Kinlaw’s inability to finish a play, but throughout a game, you see moments where he is the sole reason an offensive play-call went to hell. The Jets used him all across their line as a 1, 2, 2i, 3, 4, and 6 technique lineman. As a run defender, Kinlaw can wreck linemen in 1-on-1 situations; he plays with good upper body play strength and good overall power in his punches. He can be violent at the point of attack, and with an explosive get-off shows a good ability to disengage/shed blocks in 1-on-1 situations. He struggles against double teams and combination blocks, as he gives up too much ground playing with a high pad level in these instances.
Kinlaw can also create havoc as a crasher in stunt/twist games, and at 320 pounds there aren’t many players capable of withstanding a crasher with his frame. I found he was most effective as a 1-technique pass rusher, and while I believe that Kinlaw will spend most of his time outside of this alignment, his burst and functional strength can be too much for most centers. The idea of having Kinlaw play a BIG edge for Washington is enticing, and its part of what he brings to the table, but I think Kinlaw can be a dominant defender against the run and pass if Whitt can scheme up 1-on-1s for him more times than not.
You can watch the full film session on Trap or Dive below, where I go further in depth on each player and how we can expect Washington to utilize them.
There is a vision with the Commanders’ additions to the defensive line, but it remains to be seen if it comes to light in their scheme. Depending on the situation, there is alignment versatility with three of the linemen, which would allow more flexibility with players like Frankie Luvu, who was essentially Washington’s de facto edge rusher on obvious passing downs throughout the season. Furthermore, adding a quality edge rusher in the NFL draft can create more possibilities for Whitt. While I think that edge rusher remains a priority heading into the draft, their free agency additions lessen the need to attack the position in the first round, as there is more flexibility with the new additions on the defensive line.
What are your thoughts on Martin, Goldman, Wise, and Kinlaw? Let us know your thoughts and be sure to subscribe to the Trap or Dive YouTube channel.