Hogs Haven
A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders
Per Over the Cap, Washington is third in effective salary-cap space ($68.86 million), which is defined as “the cap space a team will have after signing at least 51 players and its projected rookie class to its roster.” The Commanders also have only 43 players under contract. Only the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs have fewer (38).
Once Peters navigates the early stages of free agency with re-signings and new veterans, the draft takes over. Washington currently holds seven selections, including No. 29 overall, its second-rounder and Miami’s third, which slots in the middle of the round. The Commanders previously traded their third- and fourth-round picks to New Orleans for cornerback Marshon Lattimore and a fifth-rounder.
[W]e’ll focus this initial big board around arguably Washington’s top needs.
Washington’s defense struggled to slow down opposing running attacks this season. A central issue was the lack of defensive ends capable of consistently holding the edge. The Commanders ranked 30th against the run, allowing 4.8 yards per carry. Yards before contact and outside rushes were the primary weaknesses.
The D-end room was among the position groups that most represented Peters and head coach Dan Quinn’s approach, which involved seeking competitors and locker room help rather than aiming for the upside. The primary investment was signing Dorance Armstrong, a rotation piece with Dallas, to a three-year contract. The ex-Cowboy offered consistency and occasional playmaking but rarely changed an offense’s approach.
The Commanders’ 2024 group performed far better than the 2023 version. Only two starters returned. There could be at least one change for 2025 beyond initially replacing Cosmi. Half the room could be different when considering reserves.
Cosmi would like to miss as little time as possible. That’s why he plans to attack his rehab throughout the offseason. He had surgery on Jan. 28 and plans to be around the team’s facility as he begins to recover.
“I’m gonna do everything in my power to get my body in peak physical shape and be able to be ready for next year,” Cosmi said.
Cosmi’s loss created a massive hole in the Commanders’ offensive line as they prepared to take on the Eagles and their talented defensive front without him. The team wasn’t focused on that problem; instead, they were more concerned about his health and making sure he...
