Influential unit figures to be deeper, stronger and more versatile this season.
The Washington Commanders’ defensive line was coming on in waves. Whether it was the interior D-linemen or the edge rushers, they were taking turns having their way with the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line during their joint practice last week.
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Although it wasn’t game action, it delivered a strong statement about what the group was capable of.
“[We’re] just rushing as a group, instead of having one dominant pass rusher,” outside linebacker Odafe Oweh said. “I’d rather have a group of … good pass rushers that know how to play and work together.”
It’s unclear whether fans will see what they can do in the preseason. Coach Dan Quinn decided to rest his starters in the preseason opener, a 20-7 win over the Dolphins on Friday, and said Tuesday that he hasn’t decided if that’ll change against the Detroit Lions on Saturday at Ford Field.
Despite the lack of game action, it’s worth buying stock in the Commanders’ defensive line. Here’s why:
Edge rusher may be the strongest position group on the roster. Oweh and defensive end Dorance Armstrong are a strong frontline pass rush duo. Armstrong is still working his way back into form from the torn ACL he suffered last season, but he’s on track to be ready by Week 1.
The thing that really sets this group apart, though, is the depth. Outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson has been a standout while handling starting reps for most of training camp. He set career-high marks with 7.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits with the New England Patriots last season.
Defensive end Charles Omenihu has spent time lined up both as a traditional D-end and inside as a defensive tackle. Wherever he’s played, he’s been disruptive.
Defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. remains on the list of physically unable to perform as he returns from a quad injury. Once he’s back, he’ll give the Commanders a strong run defender who’s capable of setting the edge.
Washington is also well positioned on the interior. Defensive tackles Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw provide stout run defense, and the coaching staff hopes they can generate more pass rush production this season.
Nose tackle Tim Settle is another run stuffer, while Omenihu brings more pass rush juice to the group when he’s playing inside. The Commanders are well equipped to constantly rotate their defensive line and help players remain fresh without suffering a dramatic drop-off.
New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones has transitioned the Commanders to operating out of the 3-4 base. While they’ll still spend most of their time in a nickel package with five defensive backs, the shift has significantly changed how the defensive front lines up.
“I liked the versatility. We have the ability to be in three-down, five-down and four-down packages,” Quinn said. “That takes training. I thought [defensive line coach] Eric Henderson has done a nice job with the interior guys. You’ve seen Payne and [Kinlaw] out on the edges, which is a nice matchup to see that type of size and strength playing over tight ends.”
The outside linebackers may line up with their hand in the ground, stand up to rush off the edge or drop into pass coverage. Defensive ends can line up out wide but also slide inside as 4-3 defensive tackles.
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In the pass game, that allows the defensive linemen to take advantage of blocking mismatches for the offense and create more one-on-one opportunities. In the run game, it makes it easier for them to occupy gaps.
“Just getting one-on-ones,” Oweh said. “Attack style. Letting us go frontwards instead of backwards too much. We’re still going to be dropping a few [times], and I’m cool with that because it keeps the offense on their toes. But [we’re keeping] that attack mindset.”
The vision is to force the offense to react to the defense rather than the other way around. If that comes to fruition, it’ll free up the defensive linemen to play with a different level of speed and aggression.
“We still need a lot of work on pass rush and games and stunts,” Quinn said. “That takes timing. … Those will be some things that I’m looking to see more of. It was nice to see the guys work together in the [joint] practice because most of it was unscripted — just play ball, and see the guys go.”
While there are a lot of new faces on the defensive line, they’ve meshed quickly. In addition to ensuring they’re on the same page in the meeting room and communicating on the practice field, Kinlaw said they’ve also been intentional about spending time together away from the facility.
The best defensive linemen in the NFL play well off one another rather than act as individuals. It reduces hesitation and lessens blown assignments.
“That’s an underrated aspect of it, too,” Oweh said. “Obviously, each guy has a different way they rush, and each guy has a different way how wide they rush, how tight they rush. If they get stalled, what do they do? So, as an edge, you got to rush in a way that you’re seeing the whole picture.”
Center Nick Allegretti returned to practice Tuesday after an extended absence because of a calf injury. He’s an experienced player, but the missed time had added significance given that he’s transitioning from guard to center this year. Allegretti said he felt comfortable on the practice field, which he credited to mental reps.
“Making the IDs from the sideline, seeing the [defensive line] games, seeing the pressures — that helps a ton,” Allegretti said Tuesday. “The mental rep aspect, it’s a cliché, but you really can get good work if you’re locked in from the sideline or watching tape.”
Quarterback Marcus Mariota; running backs Jeremy McNichols (quad) and Rachaad White (undisclosed); left tackle Laremy Tunsil (triceps); linebackers Jordan Magee (shoulder), Chaisson (knee) and Oweh (calf); defensive tackles Jer’Zhan Newton (pectoral) and Settle (calf); and cornerback Trey Amos (ankle) missed practice Tuesday and Wednesday.
Quinn said Newton suffered his injury in the preseason opener and is in New York having the severity evaluated. It could be significant.
Magee also was injured against the Dolphins. He won’t play against the Lions, but Quinn said the injury shouldn’t linger into the season. The outlook for Chaisson and Oweh has not yet been determined, but their injuries appear to be minor.
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