Grading the signing: Commanders land versatile under-the-radar free agent who will have immediate impact

The Commanders continue to impress by adding another Super Bowl winner to a unit that went from a weakness to a strength.

Charles Goldman, Josh Taylor
Add as preferred source on Google
© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders have been busy today, and general manager Adam Peters continues to make impressive moves to better the roster.

They made a splash by signing Odafe Oweh to a four-year, $100 million contract to finally address the EDGE position, but that wasn’t the end of their moves. The Commanders also added K’Lavon Chaisson off a career-best season on a one-year prove-it deal.

Now, the Commanders added another proven Super Bowl champion who will have a bigger impact than people realize.

Commanders sign free agent DE Charles Omenihu

Just when we thought the Commanders were done adding to the defensive line, they signed DE Charles Omenihu to a one-year deal worth $4 million that can go up to $7 million.

The Commanders needed more bodies and quality depth, even after extending a lot of their own, such as Drake Jackson and Deatrich Wise. A to Z Sports Kansas City beat writer Charles Goldman says Omenihu has had a tough road, but the Commanders are getting a good one.

“Omenihu was a fifth-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2019, later traded to San Francisco, and then signed by Kansas City as a versatile edge defender and interior pass-rusher during the 2023 NFL season. He was suspended for the first six games of his career with the Chiefs, but caught fire in the second half of the season, producing seven sacks. He became a champion in Super Bowl LVIII, but didn’t play in the game due to a torn ACL suffered in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens. He hasn’t been quite as explosive since the injury, but he remains a solid rotational depth piece for a team looking for versatility. I think a year further removed from the knee injury could set him up for a breakout season.” – Charles Goldman, A to Z Sports, Kansas City

Grading the signing of DE Charles Omenihu

The Commanders are getting a versatile defensive lineman who has lined up from the A gap as a 1-tech all the way out to the 9-tech. Omenihu is 6-5, 280 pounds, and he’s a force wherever he lines up. I was impressed with his strength and hand usage when I watched his film, and he’s just as effective as a run stopper as he is at rushing the QB.

He tore his ACL in January of 2024, which obviously impacted his 2024 season, but he played in all 17 games last season and had five sacks and 34 pressures. Daronte Jones will deploy him from everywhere with different looks depending on the situation.

Adding Omenihu to the rotation on the defensive line while working with new defensive line coach Eric Henderson will get him back on track as a steady producer. I could see him playing outside on early downs and lining up more inside on passing situations. There’s almost no risk involved at just $4 million, and he’s teaming back up with Leo Chenal as well. Omenihu is just 28 years old and an upgrade over an older veteran, as they have in the past.

GRADE: B+

Related Articles