This is the Gridiron Review’s grading and breakdown series of every team’s offseason. In this article we will spotlight the Washington Commanders.
Players Retained:
Offense: J.D. McKissic, RB; Cam Sims, WR; Tyler Larsen, C; Jon Toth, C; Keith Ismael, C; Cornelius Lucas, OT
Defense: Daniel Wise, DL; Bunmi Rotimi, DL; Milo Eifler, LB; Troy Apke, CB; Danny Johnson, CB; Bobby McCain, CB/S
Key Losses:
Offense: Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB; Kyle Allen, QB; Deandre Carter, WR/KR; Adam Humphries, WR; Ricky Seals-Jones, TE; Tyrone Swoopes, TE; Brandon Scherff, OG; Ereck Flowers, OG; Jamil Douglas, OG; Najee Toran, OT; Drew Himmelman, OT
Defense: Tim Settle, DL; Matthew Ioannidis, DL; Jalen Jelks, DE/OLB; Jon Bostic, LB; Jared Norris, LB; Darryl Roberts, CB; Torry McTyer, CB; Landon Collins, S; Deshazor Everett, S
Specials: Brian Johnson, K
Key Free Agent Pick-ups:
Offense: Alex Erickson, WR/KR; Andrew Norwell, OG; Trai Turner, OG; Aaron Monteiro, OT
Defense: Efe Obada, DL
Trades(If Applicable):
- Acquired QB Carson Wentz and 2022 2nd and 7th round picks in exchange for 2022 2nd and 3rd round picks and a conditional 2023 3rd round pick
Draft Class:
- Round 1, Pick No. 16: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
- Round 2, Pick No. 47: Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
- Round 3, Pick No. 98: Brian Robinson, RB, Alabama
- Round 4, Pick No. 113: Percy Butler, S, Louisiana
- Round 5, Pick No. 144: Sam Howell, QB, UNC
- Round 5, Pick No. 149: Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
- Round 7, Pick No. 230: Chris Paul, G, Tulsa
- Round 7, Pick No. 240: Christian Holmes, CB, Oklahoma State
Our Offseason Grade: Now playoff bound barring injuries
Record Prediction(Division Rank): 14-3(1st)
Summary:
We know the 14 win season is going to get a lot of backlash, but, three factors come into play for us when predicting this. One, we cannot predict injuries. We have to assume all players will be healthy for the whole season, and if this is true, the Commanders should field one of the best defenses in football. Two, we here at The Gridiron Review believe in Carson Wentz’s ability to be productive and effective in an offense that will let him throw. Will he be an all pro? No, but pro bowl level play is not out of the question as he will have the best set of weapons he has ever had. Three, the Commanders have one of the easiest schedules in football. Besides playing the rest of the NFC East, they also have games against Chicago, Atlanta, and Jacksonville (among other winnable games).
The offense is helmed by Carson Wentz now, as Fitzmagic is gone and Taylor Heinicke has already accepted his backup role. They also added Sam Howell in the fifth which may have been the best steal/value pick of the whole draft. If Wentz does struggle, Howell could push for playing time as early as this year. At wide receiver we expect Scary Terry to explode this year. He has the best QB he has had yet, and a quarterback who likes to push the ball vertically. Dotson joined him as a first rounder, they re-signed Cam Sims, and brought in Alex Erickson in free agency. The tight end room finds Logan Thomas back from injury, and Cole Turner in from the draft. They also have Antonio Gandy-Golden converting from WR so keep an eye out for that. Running back is a position that Commanders are very set with. Antonio Gibson leads the group, with pass catching extraordinaire McKissic, Jarret Patterson, and third rounder Brian Robinson all in the room as well. The O-Line looks a little different as they lost Brandon Scherff and Ereck Flowers, but added Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell to replace them. It is interesting to note that both Turner and Norwell played for Rivera in Carolina. The line should be decent although not amazing. In all the offense should be a lot better than previous years and we expect career seasons from Wentz, Mclaurin, and even Logan Thomas.
As we said, injuries aside, the defense should be one of the league’s best. The pass rush is led by Chase Young and Montez Sweat, who are set up for breakout seasons. The defensive line lost Tim Settle and Matthew Ioannidis, but they took Phadarian Mathis in the second. They are still featuring Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Cole Holcomb looks to continue his rise as a linebacker in the league, and the team hopes to get more out of Jamin Davis. The third linebacker is the one that will be weak for the team as it is either David Mayo or Khaleke Hudson. The corner room has William Jackson and Kendall Fuller, with the third most likely being Danny Johnson or Benjamin St. Juste. At safety they got rid of Landon Collins who refused to take a pay cut, and went with Percy Butler in the fourth who may see meaningful snaps earlier rather than later. Bobby McCain was resigned and Kamren Curl will be the strong safety. Again, depth is a major issue for the defense, but assuming no injuries it should be an elite pass rush with a decent secondary and linebacker core.