4 Commanders who could get cut without playing a snap in 2024
By Dean Jones
Javontae Jean-Baptiste - Commanders DE/OLB
Finding edge rushing assistance was critical after the Washington Commanders took the difficult decision to trade Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the 2023 deadline.
Although it was a hard choice, those in power felt like the compensation attached to their respective departures - coupled with the financial savings with both seeking new deals - was a risk worth taking. Looking at how things transpired after they took their chances elsewhere, this quickly became one of the team's biggest offseason needs.
The Commanders found some potentially productive veterans who could fill the void short-term. In Dorance Armstrong Jr.'s case, he comes with a longer-term upside after playing the best football of his professional career under Dan Quinn's guidance on the Dallas Cowboys.
Adam Peters also spent his final selection of the 2024 NFL Draft on Javontae Jean-Baptiste. The No. 222 overall selection comes with some intriguing athletic traits, but there's just no telling for sure how they'll transition from college to the pros.
Jean-Baptiste is explosive with a relentless work ethic, which is always a good place to start. The former Notre Dame standout also emerged into a highly-respected locker room leader during his time with the Fighting Irish. This trait was valued highly by Peters during his pre-draft assessments, but it's not always enough.
It seems as if Jean-Baptiste is a little undersized to stick his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end. He has trouble shedding blocks once early momentum is lost and lacks the pass-rushing repertoire to compensate for his lack of legitimate size. There's hope he can develop under the tuition of Washington's coaching staff, so his progress should be monitored closely in the weeks and months ahead.
If anyone can find a role for Jean-Baptiste, it's Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. within their dynamic defensive scheme. That said, they could easily cut the player without additional refinement to potentially place him on the practice squad rather than the 53-man roster.