Commanders draft Kyle Kennard
- Edge Rusher | South Carolina Gamecocks
The Washington Commanders need to address their edge-rushing options this offseason. What they acquired during Adam Peters' first year sufficed for the short term. If this franchise wants to make its immediate success something sustainable, it needs more players capable of generating consistent pressure.
Washington remains strongly linked with a bold trade for Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. That would help significantly, but such a landmark transaction comes with jaw-dropping compensation attached. If Peters believes this would jeopardize his chances of molding a complete roster, he'll look elsewhere for reinforcements.
The best long-term (and cheapest) way to rectify this issue is via the draft. This is a deep class for defensive linemen and edge rushers, so expect Peters to take advantage.
Kyle Kennard has a lot of likable traits that Dan Quinn typically looks for in his edge defenders. He's supremely athletic with a relentless work ethic that's hard not to love. The South Carolina prospect is technically sound and explosive to the contact point. His high motor means he's never out of a play, which is exactly what the Commanders need.
Kennard thrived with increased competition in the SEC last season. He's a little undersized, but the player's position versatility makes him a potentially dangerous weapon in Quinn's scheme.
Commanders draft Alfred Collins
- Defensive Line | Texas Longhorns
The Commanders were met with a harsh reality during their NFC Championship loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. They don't have enough in the trenches to keep pace with their bitter division rivals.
Of course, every team is going to miss players like Daron Payne and Sam Cosmi. But looking at Washington's overall body of work, especially on the defensive front, it wasn't quite up to the required standard.
Washington has money to go after a prominent defensive lineman in free agency such as Milton Williams or Osa Odighizuwa. There are dozens of prospects in the draft to choose from — most of whom come with starting or key rotational upside with additional development.
Alfred Collins represents good value here. There's a chance the formidable Texas interior force goes higher, perhaps in the second round at some stage. If he's around in round three, the physical attributes and scope for growth make him an intriguing addition to Washington's defensive front.
Collins is a huge presence. He absorbs double teams effortlessly, which doesn't show up on the stat sheet but is a significant asset to call upon. His production leaped forward with the Longhorns in 2024. This indicates the penny is finally starting to drop where the player is concerned.
He'd be a little older than most rookies, but this will be a growing trend in the coming years with NIL becoming more influential in the college game.