Commanders should keep these free agents on their radar ahead of Week 4

A second win in a row doesn't mask the core failings of the Washington Commanders' defense. Chiefly, not enough pressure off the edges and a lack of ball-hawking talent at cornerback.

Those things nearly proved costly during Monday night's 38-33 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow had too much time to find wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and others against the team'soverwhelmed cornerbacks.

Little to no pressure in front of missed assignments on the backend is a fatal combination for any NFL defense. Fortunately, the Commanders can solve both issues with timely raids on the free-agent market. Where they will find a former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion who was once a turnover machine for the New England Patriots.

Washington general manager Adam Peters will also see a decorated veteran who was one of the most prolific pass-rushers of his generation. He's 37 years old but retains the core skills to fix the fundamental flaw in this defense.

Justin Houston can solve Commanders' biggest issue

Burrow spent too much time adopting the classic quarterback pose in Week 3. His feet were firmly planted and he often had an age to wait for vertical opportunities to develop. The problem is obvious. These Commanders lack a game-wrecker on the edge.

Enter Justin Houston.

He's firmly in the winter of his career, but well-traveled Houston is a proven quarterback hunter with 112 career sacks to his credit. He split last season with the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins, failing to register a full sack for the first time during 13 years in the pros. That was the anomaly for a pass-rusher who had put together five straight seasons with at least 25 pressures, per Pro Football Reference.

Having Houston in the pass-rush room would only help a struggling edge defender like Dorance Armstrong Jr., as well as raw rookie Javontae Jean-Baptiste, develop their repertoires. They would learn the tricks needed to generate more consistent pressure and protect an undermanned secondary.

J.C. Jackson possesses opportunism the Commanders lack in coverage

Head coach Dan Quinn and coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense is designed to create turnovers. The scheme requires relentless pressure up front and opportunistic coverage presences. Both of these have been sorely lacking over the first three games.

While the Commanders lack pressure specialists, they could compensate by signing a true boom-or-bust cornerback. J.C. Jackson qualifies because he used to merit the moniker 'Mr. INT.'

The name fit when Jackson snatched 17 interceptions for the Patriots across the 2020 and '21 campaigns.

His career has been in decline since. Notably, when Jackson was released earlier this year after a brief but unsuccessful return to New England. He was "unreliable," according to Patriots.com staff writer Evan Lazar. Jackson also missed curfew before the Patriots faced the Commanders in Week 9 last season, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.

The player's agent later revealed Jackson was dealing with mental health concerns, according to Reiss' colleague Adam Schefter.

He faced problems during his second tour with the Patriots, but Jackson possesses core skills the Commanders need. Specifically, how to get his hands on the ball and create some big plays for a defense surrendering too many going the other way.

Jackson made sense as a signing before training camp and he still merits a long look three games into the 2024 season.

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