Chargers just gave Commanders another chance to revamp DL depth

The Washington Commanders have two Pro Bowlers on their defensive line in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Following Phidarian Mathis’ season-ending injury, the rotation’s depth took a big hit, which prompted the team to claim John Ridgeway, a 2022 fifth-round pick of the Cowboys who was waived earlier this season.

Ridgeway struggled to find playing time on Dallas’ palatial defensive line, and he’s since become an important piece for the Commanders.

Yes, Ridgeway’s boneheaded penalty against the Vikings that effectively iced the game for Minnesota is getting most of the attention, but he’s a big reason Washington’s run defense has morphed into one of the league’s best.

Since the Commanders already found one diamond in the waiver wire rough this campaign, they should consider double-dipping after the Chargers surprisingly released former first-round pick, interior defender Jerry Tillery, on Thursday.

The Commanders should pursue former Chargers DL Jerry Tillery.

Tillery was listed as a non-participant at practice the last two days due to personal reasons, so this move had been coming. The Chargers selected Tillery with the No. 28 overall pick in 2019 and declined his fifth-year in the offseason. He appeared in seven games this season (zero starts), finishing with a sack and forced fumble.

"“Jerry has been a valued member of our organization since arriving in 2019,” Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said in a statement, “and I want to thank him for all his contributions to the Chargers. This was not an easy decision, but after careful consideration, it was a necessary one that is in the best interest of both team and player. We wish Jerry all the best moving forward in his career.”"

Tillery hasn’t lived up to the billing of a first-round pick, but turned in consecutive productive seasons in 2020 and ’21. Over 32 games, he compiled 81 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, 66 pressures and 38 hurries.

Of course, rushing the quarterback isn’t a problem for the Chargers, who have superstars Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack coming off the edge. Los Angeles’ biggest weakness is stopping the run — they rank 29th in rushing yards per game and dead-last in yards per carry this season– and Tillery did little to help the cause.

That’s the kicker: the Commanders don’t need ay more run-stuffers. While Ridgeway is utilized on rushing downs, Tillery could become Washington’s go-to backup interior pass rusher behind Allen and Payne, who’ve combined for 10 sacks.

Tillery even has the versatility to line up on the edge, so Jack Del Rio would have the choice to deploy Allen, Payne, Montez Sweat and Tillery all at once.

Tillery reportedly garnered interest before the 2022 trade deadline, so he’s not expected to clear waivers, meaning the Commanders won’t get a chance to add him if they don’t submit a claim. He’s a physical specimen at 6-foot-6 and  300 pounds, and can play both on the edge and along the interior.

Use the rest of the year to evaluate him. Who says no?