The Washington Commanders are gearing up to welcome veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen back for their crunch Week 17 clash against the Atlanta Falcons. He's been officially activated to the 53-man roster and could feature in some capacity. That was always going to come with collateral damage.
Washington waived Phidarian Mathis to make room for Allen. This was a likely scenario for the interior presence. Despite being beloved in the locker room, his performances weren't up to the required standard and he became an afterthought in recent weeks.
This is another high-end draft selection made by Ron Rivera that couldn't meet expectations. It was a head-scratching pick at the time when one considers the investments already made in Washington's defensive front beforehand. Injuries and poor production ensured it was a swing and a miss.
Rivera couldn't get key decisions right regarding personnel. General manager Adam Peters has spent the best part of a year trying to rectify this complication — something he's done remarkably well to put the Commanders way ahead of schedule in Year 1 of this drastic rebuild.
These plans won't include Mathis moving forward. Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have, but these five players would have been far better selections by Rivera at No. 47 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Players the Commanders could have drafted over Phidarian Mathis
Commanders could have drafted George Pickens
The Washington Commanders have been searching for a prominent pass-catcher to put alongside Terry McLaurin long-term. Had they taken a chance on George Pickens, they'd have solved this complex riddle.
Pickens is a fiery individual who plays right on the edge. He never shirks a challenge and plays with a swagger that can rile people up the wrong way. However, the wideout's talent is undeniable.
The former Georgia standout is enjoying a fantastic year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's emerged as their true No. 1 option over the last two seasons, boasting slick route running, blazing speed, and contested catch prowess that's seen him emerge as one of the league's most dynamic threats.
It seems like Pickens is always a powder keg waiting to go off. But if he'd landed in Washington, having a respected leader such as McLaurin would have kept complications to a minimum.