Should Commanders pursue PFF’s proposed free-agent acquisition?

On paper, the Washington Commanders are more talented than they were last campaign, when they turned in seven wins and were right in the thick of the NFC playoff picture until a COVID outbreak sabotaged their season.

Of course, a team is only as good as its defense and the Commanders, though they boast a formidable defensive line, have glaring concerns at linebacker.

In the secondary, William Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste seem poised to rebound after inconsistent and injury-plagued years. As long as that duo performs up to snuff, the group, led by Kendall Fuller, should make marked strides.

While everyone is a Cole Holcomb fan, we can’t make the same argument for the linebacker room. Pro Football Focus clearly feels the same way, as the Commanders checked in at No. 27 on their 2022 linebacker unit rankings.

In a recent article, PFF writer Doug Kyed highlighted one trade or free agent acquisition for all 32 teams before training camp. Taking the aforementioned rankings into account, Kyed proposed free agent LB Joe Schobert for the Commanders.

Should the Commanders sign free agent linebacker Joe Schobert?

Here’s what Kyed said of Schobert.

"Schobert, 28, is just two years removed from signing a five-year, $53.75 million contract with the Jaguars yet remains unsigned since being released by the Steelers in March. Washington is counting on a second-year leap from Jamin Davis but would benefit from a veteran presence at linebacker."

Schobert likely isn’t Commanders’ fans preferred signing with more proven commodities like Dont’a Highotwer, Anthony Barr, Kwon Alexander and Alexander Johnson all available, but each of those players landed on other teams in Kyed’s exercise.

Hightower reunites with Josh McDaniels and Patrick Graham on the Raiders, Johnson reunites with former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell in Minnesota, Alexander joins the Jets and former DC Rob Saleh and Barr seeks solace in Dallas, where he’d be partnered with reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Micah Parsons.

Again, Schobert doesn’t move the needle relative to those veterans, but he’s been a serviceable linebacker throughout his career.

The 28-year-old is a perennial lock to compile 100 tackles and a handful of quarterback hits. He’s also managed an impressive 29 passes defended over the last five seasons, which contradicts the notion that he’s a liability in coverage. During that same stretch, he’s tallied 22 tackles for loss, 10 forced fumbles and 10 interceptions. You mean to tell us that production wouldn’t be a welcome sight in Ashburn?

Even better? Schobert played on the veteran minimum with the Steelers last campaign, so he’d hardly make a dent in Washington’s cap room. He’s far from a perfect player, but he made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and isn’t established enough to the point where he’d take meaningful snaps away from Jamin Davis.

Dare we say this is a potential win-win? What do you think, Washington fans?