Over the past week, as we prepare for training camp, Commanders Wire has previewed every position group on Washington’s roster.
What position is the Commanders’ most robust unit?
The first answer that comes to one’s mind is the defensive line. After all, Washington features four first-round picks in its starting lineup and selected another in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.
ESPN recently named the best position group on all 32 NFL teams. And it’s no surprise Washington’s best unit was the defensive line.
The Commanders’ depth on the defensive line was disrupted a bit by losing Tim Settle and Matt Ioannidis in free agency, but it’s hard to go against the front four of Jonathan Allen, Chase Young, Montez Sweat and Daron Payne.
They added Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis in the second round of the 2022 draft for interior depth to replace Ioannidis. Even without a third real edge rusher of note, the collection of upper-level talent in this group is among the best that any team has at any position around the NFL.
The loss of both Ioannidis and Settle is a blow for Washington. No team boasted the type of depth the Commanders possessed on the interior of the defensive line. Rookie Phidarian Mathis helps fill some of that void.
At defensive end, both Young and Sweat could be on the verge of huge seasons. Both struggled for different reasons in 2021. Now, Sweat is healthy, while Young is working hard toward an early-season return after knee surgery last November.
The Commanders brought in veteran Efe Obada, who, alongside Casey Toohill and James Smith-Williams, gives Washington depth on the edge.
Jonathan Allen made his first Pro Bowl last season and continues to improve. Daron Payne is just a step behind Allen, although still an outstanding player.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Commanders added another veteran defensive tackle to the mix by Week 1.
While defensive tackle is easily Washington’s top positional unit, which unit is next? The wide receiver position has a chance to be special, with Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Jahan Dotson and Dyami Brown all in the mix.