Determining how Commanders should address defensive backfield

Here’s a bold prediction: the Washington Commanders will select a defensive back in the upcoming 2022 draft. I don’t know who, or in what round, or whether they will choose more than one. But I’m willing to wager they will take one. There have only been two drafts in the 21st century in which Washington has not chosen at least one DB, and in both instances, the team did not have its full complement of picks.

That’s what we gamblers like to call a trend.

The Washington Commanders currently have 15 defensive backs on their roster, but five are scheduled to become free agents this Summer, while a sixth (Deshazor Everett) faces legal consequences from a fatal car crash last December that have likely ended the veteran special teamer’s career.

And one other nominal defensive back (Landon Collins) began playing more of a hybrid linebacker spot in the second half of 2022 and seems more likely to stay in that position should he remain with the team in 2022.

Of the remaining eight players, three (Corn Elder, DJ Hayden, and Jeremy Reaves) were late-season injury-replacements.

If you are doing the math along with me, that means there are only five players currently on the roster who seem certain to log serious minutes in Washington’s defensive backfield in 2022. Fortunately, four of them (Kendall Fuller, William Jackson III, Benjamin St-Juste, and Kamren Curl) are all solid players who, if healthy, should form a very effective DB core.

How should the Commanders address their secondary this offseason?

Fuller is Washington’s steadiest and most versatile defensive back. He can line up anywhere, but is most valuable as a boundary corner. Jackson, one of last year’s high-priced free agent acquisitions, struggled with his new team early, but grew more comfortable as the season went on. He responded from his only subpar year in Cincinnati with a strong bounce-back and the hope is he will do the same here.

St-Juste also struggled early in his rookie season but showed the athletic tools to be successful with more experience. And Curl followed up on his surprising rookie season by taking over from Landon Collins as the starting strong safety.

Those players should be fine. Building depth around them will be the challenge. Part of that depth should come from the fifth member of this group, 2021 draftee Darrick Forrest, who showed some ability as a special teamer last year and could provide depth at free safety.

Of the five free agents, 2021 free safety Bobby McCain is the top priority. McCain drew the wrath of some fans early when he seemed to catch whatever bug was running through Washington’s defensive backfield. He missed some tackles and dropped an interception or two. But McCain, who was only brought in late in the offseason, got better and better as the year went on.

Like Fuller, he offers positional flexibility, having played corner for much of his career. There will be other free agent safeties on the market, but re-signing McCain would mean Washington’s top five DBs would all return for a second year, and that kind of continuity has genuine value.

Danny Johnson is also scheduled to hit free agency this Summer. As a long-time DJ fan, it was gratifying to see him emerge last season. He has always been a good kick returner and special teamer, but has also always been the type of player who is easy to take for granted. He is not a particularly gifted athlete by NFL standards, but he shows up and he does his job.

Last season, when virtually every cornerback on the roster struggled with Washington’s zone schemes, and eventually went down with injury, it was Johnson who emerged as both a durable player and a DB who understood zone. He closed well on receivers over the middle and was a sure tackler. There is a spot for a guy like that on an NFL roster.

Torry McTyer and Darryl Roberts are both young vets who were slated to be the primary depth corners last season. Both suffered injuries before they were able to show very much. Washington seems to like both players, but as free agents, their futures remain in doubt.

The final free agent, Troy Apke, is no longer a factor as a DB, but has become a valuable special teamer. With the almost-certain departure of long-time teams leader Everett this year, Apke could be poised to take over that role.