Everything you need to know about Commanders’ new defenders

The Washington Commanders currently have 30 players on their roster who were not there at the conclusion of the 2021 season. Several of these players will have a major impact on the team’s success in 2022. Most will pass like shadows in the fog, and we will not hear from them beyond the upcoming pre-season. Let’s take a quick look at the newest Washington Commanders and do a little bit of projecting about what each may offer.

Today, we’ll focus on the 13 new defensive players.

A deep dive into the Commanders’ new defensive players

Phidarian Mathis, DT

6’4”, 312, 24 years old: drafted in the second round, 2022, currently unsigned

Mathis was a bit of a surprise pick in Round 2 of the 2022 draft, but with the departure of stalwart backups Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle, and the unresolved contract status of starter Daron Payne, it appears to be a sensible move.

BEST CASE SCENARIO: Mathis proves to be a comparable player to Payne, providing steady run defense and the occasional pass pressure. Becomes part of a 3-man rotation at tackle and slides into Payne’s starting role in 2023.  600 defensive snaps, 40 tackles, 3 sacks, 6 QB hits

Efe Obada, DE

6’6”, 265, 30 years old: signed as free agent 3/23/22.

Obada began in the European League, and has carved out a journeyman NFL career since 2015. Washington will be his 6th NFL team. But he has steadily improved, having his best season with Carolina in 2020.

BEST CASE SCENARIO: Obada supplants either Casey Toohill or James Smith-Williams to become a rotational pass rusher behind Chase Young and Montez Sweat. 350 snaps, 20 tackles, 6 sacks

Jacub Panasiuk, DE 

6’4”, 255, 22 years old: signed as UDFA, 5/2/22

At 22, Panasiuk is one of the youngest players on the Washington Commanders roster. But he started an astonishing 43 games for Michigan State during his college career, so he arrives better seasoned than some other young players. His physical traits are not on a par with most of the DEs on the roster, but he is a hustle player who may work his way onto the roster.

BEST CASE SCENARIO: Panasiuk sticks on the Practice Squad and gets his chance at the Pro level due to injury. Ends up taking on a role similar to what Bunmi Rotimi provided in 2021. 100 snaps, 10 tackles, 1 sack

Ferrod Gardner, LB, 6’1”, 215, 25 years old: signed as UDFA, 5/2/22

Bryce Notree, LB, 6’3”, 225, 23 years old: signed as UDFA following rookie minicamp

Tre Walker, LB, 6’1”, 240, signed as UDFA, 5/2/22

Drew White, LB, 6’0”, 228, signed as UDFA, 5/2/22

Forgive the shortcut, but I recently wrote about these players, along with a couple of holdover LBs signed during the 2021 season. You can read about them here.