Ranking the Commanders’ 3 biggest weaknesses before OTAs

1. Linebacker

Until we see Jamin Davis prove he’s a starter, we view Cole Holcomb as the only proven commodity amongst Washington’s linebacker room. Still, there’s a first-round talent in Davis, so there’s reason to be optimistic that he’ll dramatically improve in an off-ball role after he struggled as the middle backer as a rookie.

With that said, there’s no disputing linebacker is the Commanders’ biggest weakness entering OTAs. For all the promise Holcomb showed last year, he’s entering unproven territory as the expected MIKE starter in 2022, so it would really behoove the front office to add some reinforcements before minicamp.

While addressing the media at rookie minicamp, Rivera didn’t hesitate admitting the linebacker group is short on depth.

"“Well, I think if we’re looking at one position, it is gonna be linebacker. We have a good number of guys here. We’re very pleased with the number of guys we have here, but we don’t have another veteran-type guy once we get past Khaleke (Hudson), so right now, we’re just too deep. We’d like to get a few more guys to be a bit deeper there.”"

Of course, saying something and doing something are two different things, but it’s definitely encouraging Rivera is aware of the roster’s LB deficiencies. The free agent market is slim pickings at this stage of the offseason, but there’s starting caliber talent out there in addition to potential depth options.