The Washington Commanders inexplicably chose time and time again to bypass what many consider their biggest need during the 2025 NFL Draft. That, of course, is their pass-rush.
Washington will enter the 2025 season thin on the defensive line. The team will be counting on Javon Kinlaw to live up to his hefty contract and for Daron Payne to bounce back to his Pro Bowl form. On the edge, it will be a rotation of unheralded free agents from the past two seasons in Dorance Armstrong Jr., Jacob Martin, Clelin Ferrell, and Deatrich Wise Jr.
That said, pressure in the opposing backfield can also come from the linebacker position, as the Commanders should be well familiar with.
Last season, the team's top two leaders in sacks were Dante Fowler Jr. and Frankie Luvu. The former is gone now, but an intriguing option emerged as a potential replacement after a stunning development around the league.
Why Jadeveon Clowney could be an ideal fit with the Commanders
After his release from the Carolina Panthers, three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney will be looking for a new home for the seventh time in his journeyman career. After spending his first five seasons with the Houston Texans, the former No. 1 pick made additional stops with the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens before spending last year closer to his Rock Hill home.
He is still only 32 years old and has been a productive player at every stop, even if the South Carolina product never quite lived up to his draft stock as a generational prospect. He's compiled 58 sacks and 15 forced fumbles throughout his 11-year NFL journey. He's also adept at batting passes at the line of scrimmage with 32 career deflections.
Clowney would be filling a backup role similar to the one Fowler played last season in Washington. Luvu and Bobby Wagner are set as the team's starting linebackers within Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s scheme.
Given Wagner's age, it's probably not a bad idea to be cautious with his snap count. It would be a massive luxury to have a player of Clowney's pedigree ready to plug in at the second level whenever necessary, albeit more as an edge-rushing force.
Clowney has also lined up as a 4-3 defensive end throughout his time in the NFL, and could do the same in Washington. If the fit is better given the Commanders' needs and his skillset at this stage of his career, it might even become his default position.
At the very least, Adam Peters and company should give Clowney a look. Even though it's late in the offseason to sign new free agents, it's not every day that a proven, productive player who fills a major team need becomes available.
The Panthers have given an aspiring playoff contender a gift, and Washington should take it.
