Free Agency Preview 2024: Defensive Line

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February 14, 2024

By Noonefromtampa

Overview

Even after all the draft picks spent on the defensive line, the Commanders find themselves in a place where they need to address this position group, especially edge rushers, this offseason. Chase Young and Montez Sweat were both traded in season and several more players are free agents. Expect Washington to sign a veteran player as well as drafting an edge rusher in an early round of the draft. The interior defensive line (IDL) is pretty much set with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne who both signed big deals in recent years.

Washington Free Agents

DE Efe Obada (UFA), DT Abdullah Anderson (UFA), DE James Smith-Williams (UFA), DE Casey Toohill (UFA), DT David Bada (ERFA), DT Curtis Brooks (ERFA)

Of this group Toohill and Smith-Williams saw the most playing time this past season, especially after the aforementioned trade. Obada suffered a serious leg injury and may not be ready by training camp.

Conventional logic says the team should bring back Toohill or Smith-Williams, but with an entire new coaching staff they may elect to go in a different direction.

Free Agents

Teams still have time to franchise players and re-sign their own free agents, so this list will change until the start of the legal tampering period in March.

Top Edge Players

  1. John Allen, Bills, 17 sacks
  2. Brian Burns, Panthers, 8 sacks
  3. Danielle Hunter, Vikings, 16.5 sacks
  4. Bryce Huff, Jets, 10 sacks
  5. Jonathan Greenard, Texans, 12.5 sacks

Other notable names: Chase Young (7.5), Za’Darius Smith (5.5), Yannick Ngakoue (4), Jadeveon Clowney (9.5), Leonard Floyd (10.5), Andrew Van Ginkel (6), Dorance Armstrong Jr. (7.5)

The expectation is that Washington will try and sign a top tier edge rusher to complement one selected in the draft. Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme relies on solid defensive line play mixed with occasional blitzes. So, expect a major offseason focus on this area. Greenard, Huff, Floyd and Armstrong are the best fits for DE. Allen, Burns, and Hunter could fulfill more of Micah Parsons role in a Quinn defense.

Top IDL Players

  1. Chris Jones, Chiefs, 10.5 sacks
  2. Justin Madubuike, Ravens, 13 sacks
  3. Leonard Williams, Seahawks, 5.5 sacks
  4. Christian Wilkins, Dolphins, 9 sacks
  5. Denico Autry, Texans,11.5 sacks

Other notable names: Grover Stewart (0.5), Fletcher Cox (5), Sheldon Rankins (6), Tim Settle (1), DaQuan Jones (2.5), Javon Kinlaw (3.5), D.J. Reader (1)

If Washington signs free agents in this group, it will lower tier players to fill out situational roles.

Sources: overthecap.com, pro-football-reference.com