3 Commanders position groups that could become weak links in 2024

Commanders edge rushers

The pass-rushing duo of Montez Sweat and Chase Young were traded before the 2023 deadline. That left Casey Toohill and James Smith-Williams, who were both great backups but not subpar starters, to fill the void. They are no longer around.

There was some effort by the front office to get the edge rushing position to a solid state, but it didn’t lead to a lot of great signings. Dorance Armstrong Jr. joined from the Dallas Cowboys. He is the current best option on the team.

Armstrong is a solid player and has the potential to level up. But he has just been a great guy to rotate in with Dexter Lawrence and Micah Parsons or be an edge rusher in specific packages during his career so far. He excelled in this role, putting up nine sacks in both 2022 and 2023. This will help, but how much remains to be seen.

Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell were both signed in the offseason. They should be key pieces for the Washington Commanders. Both are outstanding depth pieces, but I’m not confident having either of them as full-time starters. Maybe a big rotation will end up working out for Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme.

K.J. Henry is a player who could get more reps on the edge in his sophomore NFL season. The former fifth-round pick showed a lot of promise in the second half of the season when the defense was trying to find help. I’m excited to see what development arrives working with more accomplished coaches.

Javonte Jean-Bapiste was drafted in the seventh round of the draft out of Notre Dame. However, he will be nothing more than a depth piece who could potentially assist on special teams.

Maybe this group can become solid and generate pressure this season. But it's hard to argue that this will be one of the Commanders’ weak links in 2024.