I would’ve said the offensive line if you had asked me at the beginning of the year. But the offensive line has proven to be much better than last year. The biggest problem? It’s the defensive backfield. Here’s why and what I think needs to be done.
During the offseason, the Commanders lost their best cornerback, Kendall Fuller, to the Miami Dolphins. While 2023 was not a good year for him or anyone in that group, he was a good leader. Emmanuel Forbes hasn’t played well this year, and I’ll bet anybody who watched Sunday’s game vs. the Ravens would say that Benjamin St-Juste was even worse. There is a bright spot in rookie Mike Sainristil, who got the first interception of his career yesterday, but he’s not enough for a team with aspirations.
With backside struggles outweighing bright spots, what should the Commanders do? One option is to tap into the free agency market, and another is the trade market.
If the Commanders want a veteran in free agency, one person comes to mind: Patrick Peterson, an eight-time Pro Bowler and a three-time first-team All-Pro. While Peterson is old by NFL standards (34) and wouldn’t play as he did in his prime, he would bring plenty of experience and leadership to the cornerback room. J.C. Jackson is a good option if the Commanders want to go younger. Jackson’s resume includes a Super Bowl ring, being named a Pro Bowler, and being selected as a second-team All-Pro. But he struggled last year after being brought back to the Patriots after Christian Gonzalez was injured. The Commanders could give him another chance to shine.
Cleveland’s Denzel Ward (photo, Akron Beacon Journal)
Cleveland’s cornerback Denzel Ward is a name to consider on the trade front. Now that the Browns are 1-5, a team rebuild is likely in the offing. If so, Ward might be available in the trade market, and at 27 years old, Ward is a three-time Pro Bowler who would undoubtedly add depth to Washington’s defense backfield. However, he won’t come cheap. That said, he would be an automatic starter at cornerback.
What’s next? The answer is in the hands of the Ccommander’s new GM, Adam Peters. He has to do something about Washington’s defensive backfield because this team won’t go as far as it could unless significant changes are made.
