One of the scariest things about being an opponent of the Washington Commanders in the NFL is that, as good as they were, they could be a lot better.

Part of that improvement will continue to come through coaching and leadership from commanders, staff and veterans like linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Another part of this ongoing process of improving a franchise once viewed as near or near the bottom of the league is bringing future free agents to Washington to increase the roster’s talent level.

According to Pro Football Focus, this is where Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence comes into play.

“While the Commanders have exceeded all expectations this season and secured a playoff spot, their defense needs improvement across the board. That’s also true on defense, where Dante Fowler Jr. will be a free agent and only Dorance Armstrong produces a pass.” Rush win rate over 11%, says PFF. “Lawrence was sidelined for most of 2024 with a foot injury, but the 32-year-old was sensational in 2023. A season ago, Lawrence ranked ninth among defensive players with an overall PFF grade of 91.0 with 500 or more snaps. To illustrate how versatile Lawrence’s game is, he was one of three players with a pass rushing grade of over 91.0 and a run defense grade of over 79.0 would be a perfect combination with Dan Quinn, to to strengthen the Commanders’ pass rush and run defense.

Given his injury history and age, there’s a chance Lawrence’s market won’t be as strong as he’d like, and that could play into the hands of Commanders general manager Adam Peters, who has made an early impression by being aggressive , but wasn’t willing to spend too much on roster additions in his first year with the franchise.

Of course, the relationship with Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will be a major turning point in this conversation as more and more Cowboys entertain the idea of ​​switching sides in this classic NFC East division rivalry.

If Lawrence becomes the next Dallas player headed to Washington, it’s hard to argue that his presence would immediately boost the pass rush in 2025, while the team likely looks to develop young talent behind him.

Stay with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders during the 2024 season.

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