Washington Commanders Moves Via Dallas Cowboys Add Speed, Power and Wild Card

The Washington Commanders attacked their edge group heavily in free agency, and brought in a versatile group of new additions in the process.

Nov 14, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) celebrates. / Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders did more than bring in two former Dallas Cowboys and a Super Bowl contender when adding to their defensive end group this offseason.

By signing three new defensive ends and an outside linebacker - more on him in a minute - the Commanders have completely reshaped their edge defense strategy and it could result in a welcome change from what we've seen in recent years.

And it's all going to start with Washington hiring two former Cowboys defensive coaches - Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. - to spearhead this organizations new approach on playing winning football.

Nov 14, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) celebrates. / Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

SCHEME AND STYLE

From the start coach Quinn has emphasized style of play over scheme. It's not so important whether or not the Commanders employ a 3-4, 4-3, or any other canned defensive look video games like EA Sports' Madden franchise have made so widely known, but how they employ them.

How they do it starts with leadership mentality but has to run down to player mentality and create a fierce competitiveness that is as absent of self-appreciation and creates the need for the unit to succeed over the individual.

DE DORANCE ARMSTRONG

If you turn on Armstrong's tape you see exactly that. Not a man who is immune to celebrating making good plays himself, but one who prioritizes the unit's success over his own.

In Week 12 against Washington the Dallas defensive end was called upon to drop into coverage in the middle part of the field where a linebacker would usually be found. The Commanders, advantageously, had dialed up a screen play needing 11 yards for a first down.

With four blockers and just two defenders about five yards downfield you'd think Washington was in for a big gain and a first down. That is, until Armstrong hurled himself at two of the blockers knocking one into the path of running back Antonio Gibson and creating an opportunity for his teammates to corral the ballcarrier before he reached the sticks.

Plays like that don't enter the box stats, but they make big impacts on the outcome of games.

DE CLELIN FERRELL

Unlike Armstrong, Ferrell is a first round pick with Super Bowl experience. What Ferrell lacks in fluid movement and speed rush ability compared to Armstrong he makes up for in his ability to set the edge and either set his teammates up to make plays, or makes them himself.

Ferrell isn't able to disengage from a blocker as often as you'd like, but there are several instances on film where he is able to make plays in the run game while engaged with a blocker, and even times where he uses the blocker to disrupt the play himself.

Don't expect high sack production from him, but if a quarterback gives him time and he has the ability to straight-arm drive a tackle into the pocket, Ferrell will get the job done.

DE DANTE FOWLER JR.

Fowler Jr. is the classic middle man in this equation. Not as fast or quick as Armstrong and not as powerful as Ferrell, but right in the middle of both.

You're more likely to see Fowler try and convert speed to power than a spin move or hit a quick outside rush win, but he's got enough bend in him to get around tackles and force opposing quarterback to step into the waiting arms of defensive tackles like Daron Payne.

He also shows an impressive sense of spatial awareness when twisting or collapsing down the line, often times hugging the corner he's turning so tightly you're left amazed he didn't trip or run into someone in the process.

GAINING AN EDGE

All three of these new additions are different in ways but similar in the fact they'll rarely stop pursuing a play until its over.

Whether it's Ferrell running down the line of scrimmage to force quarterback Sam Howell out of bounds for a sack, Armstrong giving up his body so other teammates can make a play, or Fowler using matrix-like abilty to avoid a pulling tight end before burying Lions running back David Montgomery in the backfield, each man shares that common trait and uses it to different degrees.

The key for Whitt Jr. as the Commanders' defensive coordinator will be to employ them all in the best way possible.

With a wild card like Mykal Walker also on the roster - the only listed outside linebacker at the time of this writing - the coordinator has several different skill sets to work with on the edge that pair nicely with Payne and fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

And he may be adding even more talent via the NFL Draft later this month. All of that on top of the young potential KJ Henry and Andre Jones Jr. presented in 2023 along with the healthy return of veteran Efe Obada.

There may not be any major names on the edge in Washington these days, but there's plenty of talent, and plenty of effort that notable names don't always bring.