When the Washington Commanders stumbled to a 5-12 finish last season, it laid bare the cracks in a roster that had looked so promising just a year prior. After winning 12 games in 2024, the team saw its fortunes flip dramatically in 2025—not just on the scoreboard, but in the training room. Injuries that had largely spared them the previous season came crashing down, exposing an aging squad in need of a serious refresh.

General manager Adam Peters didn't mince words when he addressed the media just days after the season ended. His mission was clear: get "younger and faster." And he backed it up. In free agency, the Commanders signed more than a dozen outside players, most of whom were still on their rookie contracts, signaling a deliberate shift toward fresh legs and hungry talent.

While Washington had multiple holes to fill, one position stood out above the rest: edge rusher. The need became painfully obvious when Dorance Armstrong went down in Week 7 with a torn ACL. Before that injury, the Commanders' pass rush was clicking at a 45.4% win rate. After Armstrong exited, that number plummeted to 30.8%—a steep drop that left quarterbacks far too comfortable in the pocket. And let's not forget, the Commanders were already in the market for edge help before the 2025 season, even kicking the tires on stars like Trey Hendrickson and Myles Garrett.

ESPN recently released its post-NFL draft power rankings, slotting Washington at No. 19. When analyst John Keim was asked which position the Commanders improved the most this offseason, his answer was immediate: edge rusher. It's a pick that makes perfect sense given the team's aggressive approach.

So, how did they fix it? The Commanders didn't just patch the leak—they rebuilt the wall. They'll pair a recovering Armstrong with free agent additions Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson, both of whom bring explosive athleticism off the edge. They also drafted developmental talent Joshua Josephs in the fifth round and signed Charles Omenihu, who will likely kick inside on passing downs to create mismatches. That's four new bodies competing for snaps at a position that desperately needed depth and versatility.

Sure, you could argue the linebacker room got a makeover too, but Keim's assessment hits the mark. The Commanders needed multiple edge rushers—potentially two new starters depending on Armstrong's recovery—and they delivered. Oweh, in particular, is coming off the two best seasons of his five-year career, giving Washington a proven threat who's just entering his prime.

For Commanders fans, this isn't just about adding names to a depth chart. It's about transforming a weakness into a strength, and building a defense that can finally get after the quarterback when it matters most.