The Washington Commanders are considered a top candidate in the mix for Cleveland Browns' star pass rusher Myles Garrett after he officially handed in a trade request. Should they fail to land the perennial All-Pro, there is always the draft to offer them some other edge options.
One of those is Tennessee's explosive edger threat James Pearce Jr., who is projected to be taken by the Commanders at No. 29 overall in the latest two-round mock from ESPN's Matt Miller.
"Building around quarterback Jayden Daniels at wide receiver or on the offensive line would be a smart move, but the Commanders have to plug up the defensive holes that led to a 32-point loss in the NFC Championship Game. Pearce is a speed rusher with legitimate burst off the snap, which led to 17.5 sacks and 92 pressures the past two seasons combined. He needs time to build up his lower body to better hold up in the run game, but he has a similar profile to the Eagles' Nolan Smith Jr. and could be that type of early-impact player."Matt Miller, ESPN
The Commanders are facing a crossroads this offseason when it comes to their defensive line. The unit was considered a strength for several years with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat, and Chase Young leading the way. That's not the case anymore.
Commanders must fix the defensive trenches by any means necessary this offseason
Sweat and Young were traded while Allen and Payne's performances have declined. Washington got repeatedly gashed up the middle in 2024 while struggling to pressure opposing quarterbacks. That's a bad combination.
The Commanders had the third-most rushing yards allowed in the league with 2,337. Washington's top two sack leaders were both linebackers —Dante Fowler Jr. had 10.5 and Frankie Luvu secured eight. If general manager Adam Peters is unable to land Garrett, a potentially elite defensive lineman may be the move when they draft late in the first round.
Most of the Commanders' other holes, such as wide receiver depth and the offensive line, can be filled through free agency or slightly later on in the draft. Washington doesn't need a second star pass-catcher — just someone who can complement Terry McLaurin. Individual offensive linemen aren't expected to dominate on the field the way a defensive game-wrecker can.
Finding top-tier pass-rushing talent is much harder for that reason. While Garrett should be the top priority if the Browns entertain trade offers at any stage, Pearce would be a more than acceptable consolation prize.
He's a player who could truly be a difference-maker for the Commanders should he fall to them. Whether Pearce will be available when Washington goes on the clock is anyone's guess.
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