Commanders Defense Depth Chart Update: Where Does Rookie Percy Butler Land?

The fourth-round rookie could play a number of different positions this season.

Jeremy Brener | May 5, 2022

The Washington Commanders aren't reinventing the wheel this season on the defensive side of the ball. All 11 projected starters were on the team a year ago, but there are some minor tweaks in how the unit will run.

The team drafted two rookies on defense who could see playing time right away: DT Phidarian Mathis in the second round and DB Percy Butler, the team's fourth-round pick.

Here's a look at the depth chart for each offensive position:

Chase Young

Jonathan Allen

Phidarian Mathis

DE: Chase Young, Montez Sweat, James Smith-Williams, Shaka Toney, Efe Obada

Montez Sweat had his fifth-year option picked up earlier this offseason. Chase Young and Sweat at defensive end is probably the safest job on the team outside of Terry McLaurin at wide receiver.

DT: Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Phidarian Mathis

Jonathan Allen should start alongside Daron Payne for the fifth straight season. However, with Payne facing free agency this offseason, Phidarian Mathis was drafted in the second-round to maintain the Alabama DT pipeline.

OLB: Jamin Davis, David Mayo, Khaleke Hudson, Milo Eifler

Last year's first-round pick Jamin Davis struggled as the middle linebacker and he'll likely project as a starting outside linebacker this season alongside David Mayo.

MLB: Cole Holcomb, De'Jon Harris

With Davis struggling on the inside, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is going to give Cole Holcomb a shot.

Kendall Fuller

William Jackson III

Bobby McCain

CB: Kendall Fuller, William Jackson III, Benjamin St-Juste, Danny Johnson, Troy Apke, Corn Elder

Kendall Fuller and William Jackson III remain the team's starting cornerbacks, with Benjamin St-Juste coming in at the slot for the second straight season.

SS: Kam Curl, Jeremy Reaves

Kam Curl maintains his starting spot, but he'll project to move to strong safety after Landon Collins departed in free agency.

FS: Bobby McCain, Percy Butler

Bobby McCain's contract extension will keep him in Washington for a few more years, but fourth-round safety Percy Butler could work his way into some playing time at a couple different positions.

Published May 5, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.