After the Washington Commanders only recorded 39 sacks in the previous campaign, edge-rusher Dante Fowler Jr., a free agent favourite, may rejoin Dan Quinn as head coach. Fowler would be an excellent choice to help the Commanders finally replace Chase Young and Montez Sweat, as they have experience working together with the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.
Ben Standig of The Athletic feels that the Commanders ought to give consideration to Fowler as one of the external free agents. “This would mark Quinn’s fourth professional and college stop with Fowler (four-plus sacks in three straight years),” he wrote.
Quinn would do more than just “fortify the defence depth” by bringing in free agents who were players on his Cowboys’ defences. Additionally, “locker room voices for a room likely inhabited by rookies” would be provided.
“Voices from a locker room for a room full of rookies and random newcomers looking for a sense of community.”
While those intangibles are significant, Commanders’ general manager Adam Peters ought to be intrigued by Fowler’s history of reliable output under Quinn’s direction. He must reconstruct a pass rush that was rendered ineffective after defensive ends Young and Sweat were dealt to the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers, respectively, in October.
Fowler, the third player chosen in the 2015 NFL draft, hasn’t quite lived up to the hype. Nevertheless, he has 45 career sacks to his credit, with 10 of those coming during Quinn’s two years in Dallas.
According to Pro Football Reference, their collaboration also resulted in 33 pressures, 16 hurries, and 6 quarterback knockdowns. This play by Fowler was a strip-sack.of Mac Jones against the New England Patriots in Week 4, as noted by Jon Machota, Standig’s coworker.
Quinn’s approach revolves around hybrid edge defenders like Fowler, who can attack from a three-point stance or act as standup rushers. This defence is based on assaulting the pocket in waves and playing the run when it gets to the quarterback.
Incorporating Fowler into the depth chart would facilitate the Commanders’ rapid adaptation to the new strategy. According to Spotrac.com, Fowler’s base salary in 2023 was only $1.5 million, so Peters could sign the 29-year-old for a low price and still have money left over to add a star player up front.
There are other Cowboys bargains who may get back together with Quinn besides Fowler. Dorance Armstrong Jr., a defensive end, is regarded as a good alternative, but the Commanders can aim higher because they have cap room.
With $96,088,007 at his disposal, Peters has more than enough to make Washington take notice of the top pass-rushers available. Consideration should be given to proven edge defenders like Jadeveon Clowney, Za’Darius Smith, and Danielle Hunter.
Bryce Huff, an outside linebacker for the New York Jets who just finished a standout 10-sack campaign, feels the same way. Huff might take on the same roaming All-Pro role for the Cowboys that Quinn’s All-Pro Micah Parsons did.
Adding Huff and Fowler together, or the two plus Armstrong, would provide Quinn with the several pass-rushers he needs to succeed with his defence strategy. Young and Sweat will need to be replaced with a plethora of quarterback hunters, particularly because the current defensive ends Casey Toohill, James Smith-Williams, and Efe Obada are all free agents.
