Edge-rusher is still the biggest question mark on the roster for the Washington Commanders, but a “hidden gem” can provide the answers, as long as he replaces the production of 2024 team sack leader Dante Fowler Jr., who bolted in NFL free agency this year.
Fowler provided “tremendous value last season, racking up a team-high 10.5 sacks for Dan Quinn’s defense while playing on a one-year deal for less than $5 million,” according to Around The NFL’s Nick Shook.
Seeing Fowler rejoin the Dallas Cowboys on the veteran market further depleted an already threadbare edge rotation. They didn’t address the position during the 2025 NFL draft, so the Commanders are looking to internal solutions to fix the problem.
As Shook pointed out, “Washington is hoping Dorance Armstrong can step up in his second year with the team after signing a three-year, $33 million deal last offseason. If Armstrong can produce like Fowler did, the change won’t matter much, but Armstrong has never cracked double-digit sacks in his seven-year career.”
Shook might have his reservations about Dorance Armstrong Jr., but one other analyst believes the former Cowboys defensive end has what it takes to adequately replace Fowler.
Commanders Hidden Gem Tipped for Big Year
Armstrong landed with the Commanders last offseason because of his familiarity with the coaching staff. He played for head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. in Dallas, so the scheme suited Armstrong.
That suitability led to five sacks, 24 pressures, 10 hurries and eight quarterback knockdowns during the regular season, but Armstrong took his game up a notch in the playoffs. The 27-year-old logged 3.5 sacks and four QB hits across three games, per Pro Football Reference.
One of those sacks came against Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, when Armstrong won clean off the edge.
