Once again, The Athletic asked for questions about the Washington Commanders following the NFL Draft. As usual, our readers delivered.
Note: Submitted questions have been edited for clarity and length.
Washington traded for cornerback Marshon Lattimore and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Then it used a first-round pick on Josh Conerly Jr. and a second on Trey Amos. Does it seem like the team used a lot of assets for just two position groups, or is it just me? — Jessy M.
Your point is fair, but so is the Commanders’ rationale for double-dipping. Not only are cornerback and tackle two of football’s primary positions, but Washington’s options were severely limited. Tunsil and Conerly will likely start, replacing Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie, thus raising the ceiling for the group tasked with protecting Jayden Daniels.
The outside corners were initially unsightly last season, leading to Mike Sainristil’s shift from the slot to the perimeter and the Lattimore trade. Now, that room has five quality options with two bigger corners for twice-yearly matchups against CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown and Malik Nabers. There are some positions where overinvesting is unwise. Follow general manager Adam Peters’ lead and spend away on tackle and cornerback.
What specific moves are the Commanders making so they can better compete (and defeat) the Eagles this year? — Jeremy S.
Those tackles and corners we discussed above. The Commanders made roster decisions based on what’s best for their team, but it would be naive not to consider those Eagles (and Giants and Cowboys) matchups. The convenient part is that all three foes have similar strengths on the defensive line and at wide receiver.
Washington is now better suited when tangling with Philadelphia’s deep defensive front and the Brown-DeVonta Smith combo at receiver, not to mention Micah Parsons in Dallas, Brian Burns and No. 3 pick Abdul Carter with New York, and several other edge or interior enforcers within the division.
As for whether the Commanders have closed the gap with the Super Bowl champions, we can accurately claim that Daniels and the offense appear to be improved, even over last season’s high-scoring standard. We’ll see about a defense whose primary help occurred on the margins, and the most notable lineup change involved a tackle swap with free-agent signee Javon Kinlaw replacing longtime starter Jonathan Allen.
No judgment, but how the front seven performs this summer and the early portion of the season will offer the best sense of any distance between these rivals.
I have the utmost confidence in AP and company to build the team for the long term. What’s the drawback to bringing in someone like defensive end Za’Darius Smith at this point? — Manav S.
It seems like Matthew Judon is the best remaining free-agent option at edge. Any rumblings that Washington is interested? — Stan B.
How many edge questions do you expect to receive in this mailbag? — Ivey W.
Quite a few, Ivey. Placing two of them here highlights the interest in a position that was central to pre-draft conversations about Washington’s plans, but not the outcome.
The Peters approach in free agency solidified each position group before the draft, but all (except quarterback) warranted more help. There were open roster spots at cornerback, wide receiver and linebacker that are now filled by draft picks.
The same applied at offensive tackle if the staff expected to move Coleman inside. Defensive end lacks youth and high-end athleticism. There are half a dozen options worth writing down — in pencil — for the depth chart already on the roster. Those here are collectively solid for the regular season but feel light for the playoffs.
And yet, don’t expect much, if any, activity. Some notable names are still available in free agency, but this group of 30-somethings is unlikely to alter trajectories. Smith, 33 in September, compiled nine sacks in 2024 with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. He likely gets some decent free-agent money thrown his way. As a run defender, Pro Football Focus slotted Smith in the same range last season as Deatrich Wise Jr. and Clelin Ferrell.
Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler, also joins the age-33 club this year. After recording 28 sacks and 28 tackles for loss from 2021 to 2022, production dropped to 9 1/2 sacks and 12 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. Future Hall of Famer Von Miller, 36, is also available. Perhaps there’s a previously overlooked player who the scouts have identified, but thinking the familiar names are more than depth options appears unrealistic.
Any word on the Commanders going after the Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson? — Kenneth B.
I checked with sources before and during the draft about whether Cincinnati intended to move the NFL’s reigning sacks leader. Nothing concrete there. The odds of a trade following the draft have plummeted since 2026 picks won’t help Joe Burrow and the Bengals this season.
Washington showed more than nominal interest, but Cincinnati appeared reticent to part with its best defender, especially without a massive haul in return. The Commanders already are without a second- and fourth-round pick next year.
Last offseason, the Commanders were able to trade Jahan Dotson and John Ridgeway. Are there any currently rostered players who you think are candidates for Washington to trade? Just looking for ways to recoup some picks. — Tim F.
Let me put on my GM hat. Very nice of you, Tim. Since I am appreciative of your efforts, I’ll provide guesses, though no analogous players or scenarios may exist.
Dotson and Ridgeway were traded for different reasons. The new regime didn’t think Dotson, Washington’s 2022 first-round pick, fit its assertive, physical style. That’s not an issue for Brian Robinson Jr., a rugged between-the-tackles back. Should this be the surprise roster move, a desire for more consistency out of the backfield and running backs capable of playing all three downs makes for solid reasoning.
Through Week 9 last season, Robinson averaged 4.6 yards per carry and converted 87.5 percent of his third-down opportunities, according to TruMedia. From Week 10 on, the yards per attempt declined to 3.9, and third-down effectiveness plummeted to 44.4 percent. Robinson averaged under 3.4 yards in seven of 14 games with at least five carries. The 2022 third-round selection scored eight rushing touchdowns, but only two after Week 7. Robinson had only 20 receptions in 14 games and, per PFF, tied for the ninth most pressures allowed (seven) among running backs.
After getting off to a strong start, Brian Robinson Jr.’s production began to falter down the stretch last season. (Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)
The Commanders didn’t show urgency with running back changes, not addressing the position until selecting the shifty Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round. Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, 2026 free agents with Robinson, deftly handled their complementary roles last season. In terms of future workloads, less is more. Chris Rodriguez Jr. is another hard runner on the roster, but the rising third-year player played sparingly in 2024. Trading Dotson left a rag-tag group of replacement options that later included free-agent signee Noah Brown.
The running back free-agent market is picked over. Four-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb has played only 10 games since 2022 due to a series of injuries. Jamaal Williams’ past two seasons in New Orleans suggest that his top gear is behind him, but his career path connected with Washington assistant general manager Lance Newmark and running backs coach Anthony Lynn in Detroit. Meanwhile, two of Robinson’s coaches in Washington, Randy Jordan (Tennessee Titans) and Eric Bieniemy (Chicago Bears), head running back rooms with incomplete depth charts.
Ridgeway’s exit was due to the team having more viable defensive tackles on the roster than available spots. There’s room for the Commanders to keep Wylie. However, with Conerly likely the Week 1 starter, Wylie is a projected backup lineman or possible replacement for injured right guard Sam Cosmi.
The younger Coleman, Nate Herbig and Trent Scott are among the other roster pieces capable of handling those duties. Trade return would be minimal, but acquiring any 2026 pick helps since Washington moved a second and fourth in the Tunsil trade.
Logically, Robinson and Wylie remain. If, like Tim, you are wondering about possible or surprising trade candidates, there you have it.
(Top photo of Trey Amos: Randy J. Williams / Associated Press)