ESPN’s latest survey of NFL executives, coaches and scouts didn’t include a Washington Commanders pass rusher in the league’s top 10, but it did put plenty of familiar names on the team’s upcoming schedule.
The list was topped by Myles Garrett of the Los Angeles Rams, who will face Washington on November 8. Micah Parsons of the Green Bay Packers landed at No. 2, and Commanders right tackle Josh Conerly ran into him in just the second game of Conerly’s NFL career.
Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans came in at No. 3, setting up a December 13 matchup that will put both Commanders tackles, Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly, against one of the league’s most disruptive edge rushers. That same game will also feature No. 6 Danielle Hunter, giving Washington a brutal double dose from Houston.
Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders checked in at No. 4, and Conerly saw him in only the third game of his NFL career in 2025. Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions rounded out the top five, though Commanders fans will remember he missed the playoff win over Detroit after suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 6 of the regular season.
T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers was ranked No. 7, and the source pointed back to Washington’s 2020 meeting with Pittsburgh, when Watt forced a fumble, recorded one sack and finished with six tackles, including five solo stops and one assist. Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers came in at No. 8, and Washington will see him on Monday Night, October 19, in San Francisco.
Brian Burns of the New York Giants was listed at No. 9, which means the Commanders will have to deal with him twice this season as an NFC East opponent. Denver Broncos pass rusher Nic Bonitto completed the top 10 after his rush and block of Marcus Mariota’s two-point pass sealed Denver’s overtime win over Washington in the 2025 season.
Josh Hines-Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars also received honorable mention, and Washington will travel to Jacksonville for a January 3 matchup against the Jaguars and Allen.
In Other News...
Commanders May Have Finally Found A Veteran WR Answer
Washingtons receiver room still looks thin behind Terry McLaurin, and the front office has not yet done anything to fully answer that need. The depth chart has been leaning on a group of young or unproven options, which is why the search for a veteran addition has lingered into the stretch before training camp.
One name now in the mix is Brandin Cooks, who has made it clear he wants to land with a team before camp opens and has also said Buffalo is his preferred destination. For Washington, the appeal is obvious: Cooks just showed he can still help a contender in a late-season run, and his brief stint with the Bills gave him a reminder that he can fit into a passing game quickly if the opportunity is right. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Already Have Their Answer Opposite Terry McLaurin
The Commanders spent a premium draft pick on a receiver who could change the look of their passing game almost immediately, and Antonio Williams already has the kind of profile that makes people around the league take notice. With Terry McLaurin still the centerpiece, Washington needed someone who could help lighten the load on the other side, and Williams arrives with enough buzz to make that conversation feel real before training camp even starts.
What happens next will matter just as much as the draft-night decision. If Williams shows he can handle the speed and physicality of the pro game right away, Washington may not feel much urgency to keep shopping for another veteran wideout, but if the transition proves bumpy, the team could be back in the market sooner than expected. For now, the Commanders at least have a promising answer in-house, and the summer will tell them how firm that answer really is. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Front Office Shakeup Just Added A New Twist
The Commanders personnel department is getting another reset, with veteran NFL executive Scott Fitterer leaving after two seasons in Washington. The move comes as the franchise continues to shape the front office around general manager Adam Peters, and it adds another layer to a group that has already been busy trying to build a more stable operation behind the scenes.
In his place, Washington has brought in former Vikings assistant GM Demitrius Washington as a senior personnel executive, giving the organization another experienced evaluator to lean on. The hire also reconnects him with Peters from their time together in San Francisco, a familiar tie that could matter as the Commanders keep refining how they identify and stack talent. [Read more 🡒]