Adam Peters is rebuilding the wall in Washington (and fans should be hyped)

It isn’t often that an NFL team loses its best offensive lineman to injury but improves its overall quality. That may be exactly what Adam Peters has accomplished for the Washington Commanders this offseason.

Even with the very real prospect of going without Sam Cosmi for the entire 2025 season, Washington should have a better offensive line this year than they had in 2024.

Peters’ strategy? He prioritized acquiring quality players. Seems simple enough, but somehow this eluded the previous regime. After years of shopping for bargain basement free agents and searching out developmental projects in the later rounds of the draft, the Commanders' offensive line was struggling to be mediocre.

The only truly reliable starter was Cosmi, who was also the only lineman drafted in the first two rounds under the Commanders’ previous regime. They made a wise move in acquiring Charles Leno Jr., a steady left tackle who was looking for a final chapter to his career. The rest was held together with twine and prayer.

Commanders doubled down on offensive line improvements this offseason

In his first season, Peters brought in young veterans Tyler Biadasz and Nick Allegretti to play center and left guard. He also drafted Brandon Coleman in the third round. All three became starters in 2024.

This year, Peters has made even bigger moves.

The centerpiece was trading for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Then he used his first-round draft pick to select Josh Conerly Jr. It was the first time Washington had used its Round 1 pick on an offensive lineman since Brandon Scherff in 2015, the last OL to make the Pro Bowl in Washington.

Even with the loss of Cosmi, the Commanders appear to be well-positioned to improve their offensive line play in front of Jayden Daniels. When the stud right guard eventually returns, either this season or next, the line should be among the league’s best.

At this stage, only two of the positions are locked in place. Tunsil will be at left tackle, where he has excelled for six seasons. Biadasz locked down the center spot last year, providing Washington with stability it has not enjoyed since Chase Roullier’s early retirement.

After those two, Conerly appears on track to take over at right tackle. But if he needs more time, last year’s starter, Andrew Wylie, is still around.

Wylie is not a dominant player, but he is not a gaping hole either. His pattern has been to start slowly but get better as the season goes on. Conerly eventually should constitute an upgrade, but this is a pretty solid backup plan.

The same applies to last year’s starting left guard, Allegretti. Like Wylie, he may never be a dominant presence. But he is steady. Both came from Kansas City, where each started on a Super Bowl-winning squad. Both are reliable. And in time, both could be backups in Washington.

Without Cosmi, at least one of the two former Chiefs will likely assume his right guard spot. Wylie has played guard in the pros, so the switch shouldn’t be too difficult.

With Tunsil on board, Coleman can slide inside to left guard. If he makes a smooth transition, it could give the Commanders an excellent left side. If he falters or needs more time, Allegretti is fully capable of taking over.

Peters has constructed an offensive line with both talent and depth. There are no obvious holes. Even the deeper depth should be improved this year. Nate Herbig should be an upgrade over Michael Deiter and Chris Paul as a backup guard/center. He is certainly a bigger, more powerful blocker on the interior, which is something Washington has prioritized with his linemen.

The Commanders finally said goodbye to swing tackle Cornelius Lucas, but retained veteran Trent Scott to provide backup on the edge. Peters also signed a younger option in Foster Sarell, who played the last three seasons as a backup with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Sarrell will be given every opportunity to win the primary swing tackle job this summer. If he cannot, in addition to Scott, the Commanders will still have Wylie capable of playing tackle whenever necessary.

Peters even acquired a very promising undrafted free agent this year in Tim McKay, formerly of North Carolina State. His progress has been slowed by a torn pectoral injury, and he may not be healthy enough to factor into the team’s plans in 2025. But he is an excellent prospect who can play both guard and tackle.

Trading for an elite left tackle. Spending a first-round pick on a likely right tackle. Paying a premium to acquire an enticing UDFA prospect like McKay. Peters is intent on not making the same mistake Washington’s previous regime made in virtually ignoring the offensive line.