The Washington Commanders need more explosiveness off the defensive edge. This is no secret to anyone who's followed the team closely, especially last season. However, general manager Adam Peters can do something about it in free agency.
Washington is loaded with salary-cap space. Most people around the league are expecting the Commanders to be aggressive. And Peters now has the chance to acquire one of the more dynamic pass-rushers set to hit the market.
All eyes were on the pending free agents who were candidates to be tagged before the deadline. Still, not many received the dubious distinction.
Odafe Oweh should be available for the Commanders in free agency if they want him
The New York Jets gave themselves some breathing space with running back Breece Hall. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones got the transition tag. The Dallas Cowboys tagged wide receiver George Pickens, and the Atlanta Falcons did the same with stud tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.
But it was those who didn't get tagged who would pique the Commanders' interest.
All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson was one of them, and he promptly said goodbye to the Cincinnati Bengals on social media. That could be tempting, but there is another who offers a better long-term promise: someone who could finally provide Jones and head coach Dan Quinn with the dynamism they are looking for.
Despite the Los Angeles Chargers having enough salary cap space, they decided not to franchise-tag Odafe Oweh. This was mildly surprising, especially considering they traded for the player in-season after striking a deal with the Baltimore Ravens. But they could work out a long-term commitment if another club doesn't get in there first.
That's where the Commanders come in.
They could offer Oweh a cornerstone role on Jones' defense. They also have enough cash to make the player an offer he cannot refuse. And even though Washington struggled to reach expectations last season, this remains an ambitious project and an attractive destination.
The Commanders are not the only ones who could target Oweh to take their defensive front up a notch. A bidding war is only going to drive up the price, so there is a good chance he could get $20 million or more on his next deal.
Asking Oweh to be a focal point rather than a rotational option — he played 50 percent of defensive snaps over 12 games for the Chargers — is a lot. But the Commanders did the same with Dorance Armstrong Jr., who was in the midst of a breakout campaign before a knee injury brought an abrupt halt to his momentum.
Oweh recently turned 27. His prime is just beginning, so the Commanders may see this as a more viable option than Hendrickson, who has the most accomplished production but is a little older. And if Jones is planning on switching the Commanders to a 3-4 base scheme, the Penn State product has the athleticism needed to flourish.
Time will tell, but it's starting to look like Oweh will be available if the Commanders want him.