The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Washington Commanders and preview how it might perform this season.
Washington Commanders 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
The Commanders had a bottom-tier run defense in 2025. Against running back carries, they finished 25th in yards per rush allowed, 26th in explosive play rate allowed, 25th in negative run forced rate, and 25th in yards before contact allowed per rush. The top three snap takers along the defensive line are back (Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and Jer’Zhan Newton), and Washington added Tim Settle and D.J. Davidson in free agency. Newton did at least add something as a pass rusher, recording 5 sacks and a solid 12.6% pressure rate.
The Commanders finished 12th in the league with 42 sacks last season, but they were just 20th in pressure rate (35.6%). Washington rebuilt their pass rushing group in free agency, signing Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Charles Omenihu. Oweh was traded to the Chargers midway through last season, and he produced for his new team, logging 7.5 sacks and a 15.9% pressure rate over 12 games. Chaisson is coming off a good season in New England, where he posted a 14.5% pressure rate and 7.5 sacks. Washington will also get back Dorance Armstrong, who missed most of last season with a knee injury.
At linebacker, Washington brought in Leo Chenal in free agency before drafting Sonny Styles in the first round. Chenal played more of a rotational role in Kansas City, but he has allowed a nice 6.9 yards per target thus far in his career. The versatile Frankie Luvu is also back, but he is not coming off his best season. Styles was a needed infusion of talent to the linebacker group and should make an immediate impact.
Washington’s pass defense struggled in 2025, allowing 8.1 yards per pass attempt (30th), a 6.1% touchdown rate (29th), and a 9.1% explosive play rate (24th). Marshon Lattimore’s ill-fated run with the Commanders is over, but the corner group does bring back recent second-round draft picks in Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil. Amos struggled in his rookie season, finishing 74th among qualified corners in yards allowed per coverage snap, and Sainristil has allowed 15 touchdowns in coverage over his first two seasons in the league. Washington did make a couple of additions in free agency, signing Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon.
The top three snap takers at safety from last season are back (Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves, and Will Harris), and the Commanders added Nick Cross in free agency. Cross could end up being a great addition and is coming off a quality season with the Colts. Cross and Martin theoretically make for a good pairing, though Martin is coming off a down season in which he allowed an astounding 154.5 quarterback rating in his coverage. Will Harris missed a large chunk of last season because of a broken leg.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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