Washington struggled on defense last season, especially stopping the run where they ranked 30th in the NFL. The NFC Championship game saw them give up 229 rushing yards and seven total rushing touchdowns to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
They weren’t great against the pass either, allowing 25 passing touchdowns and recording just seven interceptions (tied for fourth fewest in the league).
They finished the season 18th in total points allowed, and 13th in total yards allowed.
Adam Peters and Dan Quinn remain adamant about fixing this, and thus far have added some key pieces to the unit to help bolster the run defense (Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, Deatrich Wise and Jacob Martin), and some utility players in the secondary (Jonathan Jones and Will Harris).
But did Washington actually improve on the defensive side of the ball like they did on offense?
Gone are Jonathan Allen, Jeremy Chinn and Donte Fowler, and I’m not sure the pieces added will match the production of those players. Thankfully for Peters, the NFL Draft is a month away and reinforcements should be coming.
Below, I look at how the Commanders current depth chart compares to our rivals in the NFC East.
Washington Commanders
EDGE: Dorance Armstrong – C+
DT: Daron Payne – B
DT: Jer’Zhan Newton/Javon Kinlaw – B-
EDGE: Deatrich Wise – C
LB: Bobby Wagner – B+
LB: Frankie Luvu – A-
CB: Marshon Lattimore – B+
CB: Mike Sainristil – B+
Slot CB: Jonathan Jones – B
S: Will Harris – B
S: Quan Martin – B
____________________
Grade: B-
The Rest of the NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles
EDGE: Nolan Smith – B
DT: Jalen Carter – A+
DT: Jordan Davis – B
EDGE: Azeez Ojulari – B
LB: Zach Baun – A
LB: Nakobe Dean – B+
CB: Quinyon Mitchell – A-
CB: Adoree Jackson – B-
Slot CB: Cooper DeJean – B+
S: Sydney Brown – C+
S: Reed Blankinship – B
____________________
Grade: B+
New York Giants
EDGE: Brian Burns – A-
DT: Dexter Lawrence – A+
DT: Chauncey Golston – B-
EDGE: Kayvon Thibodeaux – B+
LB: Bobby Okereke – A-
LB: Micah McFadden – B
CB: Paulson Adebo – B+
CB: Deonte Banks – B
Slot CB: Dru Phillips – C+
S: Tyler Nubin – B+
S: Jevon Holland – A-
____________________
Grade: B+
Dallas Cowboys
DE: Micah Parsons – A+
DT: Osa Odighizuwa – B+
DT: Mazi Smith – B-
DE: Dante Fowler – B-
LB: Kenneth Murray – B-
LB: DeMarvion Overshown – B
CB: Trevon Diggs – B+
CB: Daron Bland – B+
Slot CB: Kemon Hall – C-
S: Malik Hooker – B
S: Donovan Wilson – B-
____________________
Grade: B-
Best Overall player – Micah Parsons
–Honorable Mention – Dexter Lawrence
Best EDGE – Micah Parsons
-Honorable Mention – Brian Burns
Best Defensive Tackle – Dexter Lawrence
-Honorable Mention – Jalen Carter
Best Off-the-Ball Linebacker – Zach Baun
-Honorable Mention – Frankie Luvu & Bobby Okereke
Best Cornerback – Quinyon Mitchell
-Honorable Mention – Marshon Lattimore
Best Safety – Jevon Holland
-Honorable Mention – Tyler Nubin
2025 Break-Out Candidate – Cooper DeJean
-Honorable Mention – Mike Sainristil