Dorance Armstrong Jr.
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A breakout star is powering an "exotic" new defense for the Washington Commanders.
Finding ways to compensate for a lack of elite and prolific edge-rushers was a priority for the Washington Commanders this season, and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has come up with something “exotic and confusing,” a new scheme being powered by a breakout star.
Defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr.’s versatility was the key to the clever use of moving parts in Week 1. When play-caller Whitt showed NFC East rivals the New York Giants an “amoeba” look.
This was a front with D-lineman standing up, not putting their hands in the dirt, and moving into different spots both pre- and post-snap. Nobody moved around as much as Armstrong, who benefited most from the scheme change.
Commanders Have Something New on Defense
Whitt’s new amoeba-style defensive front was broken down by Mark Tyler of SB Nation’s Hogs Haven. He highlighted how “All four D-lineman are in a standup position and both Payne and Armstrong are walked up over the tackles at the snap.”
Hybrid amoeba front here from Whitt. All four D-lineman are in a standup position and both Payne and Armstrong are walked up over the tackles as the snap.
Great play recognition and hustle here by Payne getting down the line! pic.twitter.com/zz6a14Q4xW
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) September 8, 2025
The unpredictability of the front breathed new life into a line widely expected to be a team weakness. Instead, Washington’s defensive front dominated the trenches against the Giants.
That dominance translated into allowing just 74 rushing yards from 23 attempts. Getting tougher against the run was a must after Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles steamrolled the Commanders in last season’s NFC Championship Game.
Surrendering seven rushing touchdowns with a place in the Super Bowl on the line prompted an overhaul of the Commanders’ defensive line. There were signs during preseason new and versatile personnel were proving more rugged on the ground, but Whitt and head coach Dan Quinn also wanted greater oomph in the pass rush.
Whitt’s amoeba designs had Giants quarterback Russell Wilson under constant duress. Like when defensive tackle Daron Payne closed in for this sack, highlighted by Tyler.
While Payne was winning along the interior, others were moving all over.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. Key to New Style of Defense
Increased flexibility was the emphasis when the Commanders added to their defensive line this offseason. High-priced D-tackle Javon Kinlaw was quickly assigned a roving brief by Whitt, while former New England Patriots lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. has made a career out of playing end and tackle, just like Armstrong.
The latter finished last season as the best lineman on the roster, but he needed help, as well as an expanded role. Armstrong’s various alignments against the Giants showed how creative the Commanders are getting along the line.
Those alignments were listed by The Team 980’s Ben Standig, citing statistics from Pro Football Focus.
The coaches view the DL room's versatility not solely based on the group collectively, but individually. Here is where some lined up in Week 1, Per @PFF:
Payne (45): DLT (23), DRT (1), LE (15), LOLB (4), NT (1), RE (1)Armstrong (40): LE (2), LEO (6), LOLB (13), REO (3), ROLB…
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 9, 2025
Even though Payne and Kinlaw also slid into different spots, Armstrong was the busiest of the mobile disruptors at Whitt’s disposal. Both he and Quinn coached the player with the Dallas Cowboys, and they are tapping into every element of Armstrong’s skill-set to inspire a potential breakout performer.
He recorded his first sack of the campaign, but what counted more was the constant pressure Armstrong applied on the pocket. As 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen noted, “Next Gen Stats credited him with 9 pressures, tied for most in the NFL in Week 1. PFF assigned him 6 in the game. Regardless, he was a standout.”
Dorance Armstrong is not getting enough credit for his performance on Sunday.
Next Gen Stats credited him with 9 pressures, tied for most in the NFL in Week 1. PFF assigned him 6 in the game. Regardless, he was a standout.
Here are the 9 NGS pressures. pic.twitter.com/SDIWOW7fO8
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 10, 2025
This is what the Commanders want from the lineman tasked with the key role up front. Signing future Hall of Famer Von Miller added some juice to the third-down pass rush, but Armstrong’s ability to power amoeba looks can have a greater impact.