Commanders have a glaring hole to fill before the NFL Draft

The Washington Commanders have one position on their roster in need of improvement.

Jeremy Brener | Mar 31, 2025

Jan 7, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) runs onto the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

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Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders haven't been shy about adding top-tier talent this offseason for positions of need.

However, the team still has some work to do. The Athletic insider Ben Standig highlighted the team's need to add a defensive end.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) pass rushes at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Commanders have one big need remaining

"Splashy trades for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel addressed the offense’s primary needs," Standig writes.

"Moves on the defensive front have been more quantity over quality, particularly on the line. Enough to improve last season’s 30th ranked run defense or upgrade the pass rush? Maybe on the margins, but no DE with high-end potential exists. The remaining free-agent options are solid but trend older or risky. Trading for Trey Hendrickson might no longer be an option but it’s also a pricey one on multiple fronts if executed. The Commanders likely will draft help in the first two rounds. That means raising the group’s potential but what about Washington’s 2025 ceiling?"

It remains to be seen whether the Commanders make a big trade or find their upgrade in the NFL Draft, but either way, Washington's patterns suggest a move is coming.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 offseason.

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Published Mar 31, 2025|Modified Mar 31, 2025

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.