NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
* All stats/grades are via PFF
The Commanders are currently 4-10 and hold the 4th overall pick in the 2024 draft. After starting 2-0, nothing has gone Washington’s way. With a new coaching staff and front office on the way, a rebuild is on the horizon. With Josh Harris, I expect this rebuild to have a much better chance to succeed.
Here is a look at the positions the Commanders will need to address early in the rebuild.
Quarterback
The game against LA hurt Howell’s chances of proving himself to a new regime. The past four weeks have been rough on Sam. He has only thrown for 2 TDs to 6 INTs. He has failed to eclipse a passing grade of 60+ in three of those four weeks.
Limiting negative plays is crucial for an offense to have success. Turnovers and sacks are the two most consequential plays. Howell currently has 24 Turnover-worthy plays. His 3.6% TWP rate ranks 10th highest in the league. His 58 sacks also rank 1st in the NFL and his pressure to sack percentage of 24.1% ranks 5th highest.
With Washington likely to end up with a top-five draft pick, I would expect the new regime to take the QB they like.
Offensive Line
Right guard is the only position that doesn’t need a replacement. Cosmi in his first year at guard has managed a 79.9 run-blocking grade through 13 games and a 75+ pass-blocking grade in 9 games.
If Washington doesn’t go QB in round one, LT is next on the list. Leno has been criticized far too much by the fan base. Here are Leno’s pass-blocking grades by season:
2021: 87.5
2022: 80.9
2023: 77.8
However, due to his age and contract, Washington needs to find a replacement ASAP.
Left guard and Center are the biggest holes on this line. Charles and Gates struggled early in the season. Paul and Larsen have faired even worse. Chris Paul currently has a 27.8 pass-blocking grade ranking 82nd out of 85 guards. Larsen has a 28.7 pass-blocking grade, ranking dead last among all centers.
Wylie is another lineman that been overly criticized. He has had some rough moments, but as a whole hasn’t been bad. His 67.6 pass-blocking grade ranks 39th among tackles. However, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t look to upgrade.
Tight End
Logan Thomas will be 33 next season. He has had a better year than I thought he would, but they still must get younger at the position. I’ve been a Cole Turner fan since being drafted but he has never been given the opportunities he should. I expect Washington to have a new tight end by week one of 2024.
Edge
Trading away your two starting edge rushers will probably mean you have a sizable hole there. I supported the trade of Sweat considering he was walking in free agency anyway. However, I was not a fan of the Young trade. From a compensation perspective and what he had done this season, it felt as if they were better off tagging him this offseason and then making a decision on his future.
They have decent depth pieces at the position, but no one is a potential starter. I expect edge to be addressed in free agency and early in the draft.
Line Backer
Jamin Davis has taken the steps you want to see from a young LB. However, because it takes so long for this position to develop, you never get your return from drafting one early. The big issue is not Davis though, it’s MLB.
Washington has gone through far too many MLBs that have no business starting. From Bostic to Barton, Rivera has failed to find a quality player at this position. This is another area I expect the new regime to address in free agency rather than the draft.
Corner Back
Unless Forbes takes a leap in year two, CB is a huge need. Kendall Fuller has been one of the most underrated CBs in the league since signing with Washington in 2020. However, he is a free agent this offseason and likely won’t want to endure another rebuild. Still, I’d like the new front office to at least attempt to resign him.
I would also like another veteran in the room to pair with Fuller, while the younger CBs develop.
