4 Commanders set for bigger roles after 2022 offseason

3. Daniel Wise

The Commanders lost two key members of their offensive line when Tim Settle signed with Buffalo in free agency. Shortly thereafter, Matt Ioannidis was released to make room for Carson Wentz’s contract and future signings.

Amazingly enough, the DL is still a strength for Washington. That’ll happen when you return all four starters, each of whom have Pro Bowl potential. In terms of the defensive tackle position, though, 2022 second-round pick Phidarian Mathis is the top backup behind Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. There should be plenty of the snaps to go around and Daniel Wise could be the favorite to get the most.

Wise came off the edge at Kansas but was shifted inside when he turned pro after flaunting an 83.1 run-defense grade from PFF in his final year with the Jayhawks. The 26-year-old signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2019, but didn’t log any game time until last season. In six appearances (136 snaps), he managed 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, one QB hit and five pressures.

The former Jayhawk isn’t a known commodity, but he popped down the stretch of the regular season last year before landing on IR with a knee injury following a dirty block from Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert in Week 15.

Wise certainly played well enough to fight for a spot on the 53-man roster this offseason. Following the exits of Settle and Ioannidis, though, the 6-foot-3, 279-pound defensive lineman is suddenly poised for the biggest role of his career.