Tyler Owens - Commanders S
Daronte Jones was highly complimentary of almost every safety under contract with the Washington Commanders during his introductory press conference. Even so, that wasn't going to stop general manager Adam Peters from making the changes required this offseason.
One new addition has come on board so far. The Commandees also gave Jeremy Reaves another extension in advance, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season. He might be moving back into a core special-teams role, and everyone else moves further down the depth chart as a result.
If there was ever a time for Tyler Owens to fulfill his promise, it's now. The undrafted free agent has stuck around for two seasons but has made very little impact on the defensive rotation. The Texas Tech product is a decent special-teamer, but his production has never quite matched his immense physical attributes.
That has to change. And if another safety comes into the building, Owens' margin for error vanishes in the blink of an eye.
Jordan Magee - Commanders LB
The Commanders needed to stabilize their linebacking corps this offseason. Bobby Wagner remains a free agent, meaning he probably won't be back. Daronte Jones plans to move Frankie Luvu to his preferred off-ball role, which will be a welcome switch. But that won't be enough to be competitive.
Adam Peters recognized this, too, signing Leo Chenal from the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. He's been a rotational piece and special-teams ace throughout his NFL career so far, but most shrewd evaluators believe he is more than ready for some increased responsibilities in Washington.
The Commanders remain strongly linked to Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall, which would instantly improve their long-term outlook at the second level. What this means for Jordan Magee is debatable, but his position in an influential role might not be as clear-cut as fans initially thought.
Magee has the physical tools, but he needs reps. Whether he'll get them is another matter.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE
Adam Peters was not going to ignore the pass-rush this offseason. He papered over the cracks last spring, and the dam burst almost immediately. Anything less than supreme focus on this critical position group was not an option.
The Commanders addressed this need swiftly. Odafe Oweh was the splash signing. K'Lavon Chaisson cashed in on his 2025 breakout with a one-year deal worth up to $12 million. Charles Omenihu is a solid, versatile rotational piece, so the room looks a lot better now.
This also leaves Dorance Armstrong Jr. with some uncertainty. The edge rusher was in the middle of a breakout campaign before sustaining a serious knee injury last season. Now, he's ready to return, and he won't be giving up his spot without a fight.
It's a nice problem to have. But with Armstrong also embarking on a contract year, the Kansas product must hit the ground running when he gets the all-clear to resume football activities.