Adam Peters focused his recruitment on proven, aging veterans who can provide short-term assistance. It was a method that proved highly successful for the Washington Commanders last season. The general manager is hoping for the same again in 2025.
One respected analyst believes this ethos could see the Commanders enter the race for a once prolific pass-rusher entering his career twilight.
Generating pressure proved troublesome at times for the Commanders during their memorable run to the NFC Championship game. Things improved as the campaign went on, but Washington cannot afford another slow start with a bigger bullseye on their back.
Deatrich Wise Jr. was the only notable addition to the edge in free agency. The Commanders sure up the interior with Javon Kinlaw despite many perceiving the move as an overpay. Jacob Martin offers rotational versatility, but this is nothing more than a depth piece until further notice.
The Commanders could address this need via the 2025 NFL Draft. They only have five picks as it stands, so adding another experienced figure into the mix would give Peters an extra sense of flexibility when the selection event arrives.
Matthew Judon would provide experience and proven production to Commanders' defense
Bill Barnwell from ESPN thought the Commanders would be a good landing spot for edge rusher Matthew Judon at this stage of his career. While accumulating starting responsibilities might be a stretch, the analyst thought he represents an intriguing addition to the rotation if Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. pick their spots effectively.
"[Matthew] Judon is a sound, smart player, but as he turns 33 this year, a new team would probably need to continue spotting him in as a part-time role in an edge-rushing rotation. He had 20-plus hits in five consecutive seasons between 2018 and 2022 and nine in four games before suffering a season-ending injury with the Pats in 2023. The hope would naturally be that 2024 was an outlier on a team where nobody seemed capable of getting after the quarterback. The Falcons signaled their decision to move on from Judon by signing Leonard Floyd in free agency, but Judon should eventually find a one-year deal with a contender."Bill Barnwell
Judon was a dynamic pass-rusher at the peak of his powers. A devastating injury during the 2023 campaign saw him lose explosiveness upon joining the Atlanta Falcons last season. He managed to put a full slate of games together on a bad defense, but teams weren't exactly banging down his door with offers over the early stages of free agency.
This fits the mold of what Washington has coveted throughout Peters' tenure so far. Judon is on the older side with some exceptional previous production. He's a strong leadership presence in the locker room who'd likely accept a one-year deal to join this ambitious project. Perhaps an incentivized deal could even be enough when push comes to shove.
Peters could wait until after the draft to find another option if one is needed. It's a deep group, so it would be disappointing if the Commanders didn't take advantage of that fact despite very few assets without trading back at some stage.
If the Commanders want to get another insurance policy before the draft, Judon would be a sensible avenue to go down. And this is the exact environment to rouse one big (potentially final) effort of his glittering professional journey.