One division rival stole the Commanders’ hopes for a free agent that could have replaced a major injury on the roster
The Commanders miss out on a chance to sign a veteran to fill a major need.
The Washington Commanders are already having to possibly replace a couple of players on the roster who are out for the season with an injury, and unfortunately, there aren’t many quality options.
The team lost running back Austin Ekeler and starting defensive end Deatrich Wise for the season after a rough loss to the Green Bay Packers, and they have to replace both in a big way. Wise was a big piece of the defensive line who brought his size to help set the edge, which was a major need this offseason.
The Commanders can’t afford to revert back to last season, so having someone replace Wise is a big deal, and the Dallas Cowboys just stole the last real option that was available.
Cowboys throw a wrench in the plans
Wise was brought in to help stop the run and get to the quarterback, and the Commanders need to bring someone in or have someone step up. The free agent market didn’t have many options, and the Cowboys just signed Jadeveon Clowney before the Commanders could even think about it.
Clowney was the one player left that wasn’t a liability on the field, and he actually had a productive season last year as well. In his one season with the Carolina Panthers, he finished with 44 pressures, four batted passes, 33 hurries, and six sacks. He also finished with a positive run defense grade on PFF to go with it. Clowney played on 650 total snaps last season, which is a lot more than most free agents his age played.
He is only 32, though, and clearly has plenty left in the tank, but now the Commanders have to play against him twice instead of signing him to help fill in for Wise. The season goes on, though, and the Commanders have to pivot, and it’ll likely come from within.
How the Commanders can adjust
There honestly isn’t a free agent worth signing to fill in the main roster spot with Preston Smith and Carl Lawson as the top options left. I’d expect the Commanders to promote within, and maybe look at some practice squad players around the league with some upside like Jared Harrison-Hunte and Mohamed Kamara.
They can also promote Jalyn Holmes from their own practice squad, work with what they have, and rotate players in Wise’s spot. Jacob Martin has been a great addition when it comes to rushing the passer, but I’m not sure how much he can hold up in the run game. Second-year defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste can take advantage of the opportunity as well, and really step up in a big way. We’ve been waiting for him to break out, but he didn’t really have many opportunities until now.
The Commanders also love to rotate the entire defensive line and show different looks. Daron Payne has already played 32 snaps aligned on the edge, which was a trend last season as well. They absolutely need someone to step up, though, and losing out on Clowney could come back to haunt them if they don’t get the help from within the roster.
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