Tyler Biadasz
Getty
Former Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz block new Commanders linebacker Leo Chenal.
The Washington Commanders entered the offseason. armed with a wish list and the financial fluidity to attack it. According to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, despite numerous signings, the team managed not only to hold onto its No. 7 draft pick but also to coordinate the effort so the pick would be the last domino.
“The Washington Commanders’ latest rebuild began in early January, when they parted with coordinators Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. and warned of a significant overhaul still to come.”
While neither Kingsbury nor Whitt figured in financially, the team felt they needed to switch schemes, and their departures expedited the process. Choosing David Blough and Daronte Jones could be seen as an infusion of younger talent with new approaches.
Changes Occured Rapidly Instead of Gradually
Last season, Washington couldn’t execute on either side of the ball. The offense struggled. Not to mention, the number of stalled drives after initial success grew. Similarly, on defense, nothing the Commanders did worked. The scheme did not look crisp, and the players appeared a step slow.
Peters’ approach appears to involve jettisoning the coordinators while also making a few difficult decisions.
“Released two prominent starters (center Tyler Biadasz and cornerback Marshon Lattimore), ”
While Lattimore’s price tag appeared high, Biadasz’s release signaled a change. He ranked No. 16 among centers in Pro Football Focus’s blocking rankings. Biadasz quickly joined the Chargers, illustrating Peters’s willingness to embrace change.
Jhabvala alluded to Peters’ comments when he took the job.
“We’re going to build through the draft here and supplement through free agency. We’re going to be very process-driven and diligent in who we select in free agency, but we’re going to build through the draft here.”
However, when reviewing the Commanders’ draft capital this spring, there is not only a lack of picks but also significant gaps between their top selections. For instance, without a second-round pick, Washington faces a 64-pick gap between their first two choices. As a result, Peters turned to free agency to supplement the roster.
Team Tackled Depth Just More Than Superstars
Nick Cross may not be well-known to fans. Still, his main asset is versatility, seen in the roles he played: 551 snaps in the box, 150 as a slot corner, 29 outside corner, 279 at free safety. He has 3.5 sacks in the last two seasons. His four interceptions and ten pass deflections further show his coverage skills. Cross must improve his angles and tackling; he has 26 missed tackles since 2024.
Nick Cross
GettyNew Commanders safety Nick Cross picks off a pass against the Tampa Bay Bucceaneers.
Jefferson Could Serve as the Quiet Glue
Van Jefferson will suit up for his fifth team since 2023, and no one can answer why. While he only catches 55.5% of his targets, he has dropped only 11 passes during his career. That type of math does not add up. Basically, off-target throws elude him.
Within Blough’s offense, Jefferson figures in as a fourth option. He will not catch passes by the bushel, but all they need him to do is catch the third-down throw when Terry Laurin sees bracketing. Granted, teams do need two top wideouts. Still, the backend depth will eventually win games.
The Commanders built a solid foundation. This means they do not need to reach for a player in the first round and can presumably select the best available player.
Van Jefferson
GettyNew Commanders wide receiver Van Jefferon as a member of teh Atlanta Falcons.