Washington Position Group Breakdown 2024: Defensive Tackles
May 22, 2024
By Noonefromtampa
Overview
This group should be a strength of the team, if they can play up to their potential in the new defensive scheme and stay healthy. Both Allen and Payne have been Pro Bowl players in past years, but had a down year in 2023, along with most of the team. Having a better linebacker group behind the defensive line should help them out. This season, they will not be forced to make a tackle at all costs at the risk of giving up a big play due to a lack of linebacker support.
Returning Players
Jonathan Allen – 29 years old, 6’3”, 300 pounds – The eight year veteran with 101 career starts has 39 career sacks and 111 quarterback hits, along with 382 tackles. The former first round pick and Pro Bowl player will be one of the two starters alongside Payne.
Daron Payne – 26 years old, 6’3”, 320 pounds – The seven year veteran with 92 career starts has 30 sacks and 66 quarterback hits, along with 344 tackles.
John Ridgeway III – 25 years old, 6’5”, 320 pounds – The three year veteran was originally drafted by the Cowboys in 2022, 178th overall in the fifth round. Washington claimed him off waivers in September that year when he was waived by the Cowboys in a series of roster moves. Ridgeway has 6 career starts in 32 games played with no sacks and 55 tackles.
Phidarian Mathis – 26 years old, 6’4”, 310 pounds – The three year veteran has been frequently injured appearing in only 11 games over two seasons. This is a make-or-break year for the former Commanders second round pick. Newton’s injury gives Mathis a chance to show he belongs on the roster.
Benning Potoa’e – 27 years old, 6’3”, 290 pounds – The former undrafted free agent one year veteran has actually been around the league for four years, two with Tampa Bay and two with Washington. He has only played in 5 games in that entire span.
New Players
Jer’Zhan Newton – 21 years old, 6’2”, 295 pounds – Drafted this year with the 36th overall pick in the second round. Newton dropped in the draft because of surgery on one foot and is now going to have the same surgery on his other foot. His date of return to practice is unknown. When healthy, Newton is a monster player on the inside and was probably drafted as a replacement for Allen, who has a $23 million cap hit in 2025.
Haggai Ndubuisi – 23 years old, 6’6”, 298 pounds – A first year player. He is from the International Player Pathway Program and therefore doesn’t count against the roster, which almost makes him a practice squad certainty. He previously spent time with the Cardinals in 2022 and the Broncos in 2023 before signing with the Commanders in April of 2024.
Roles
Here are how those players project to the roster in 2024.
| Starter | Backup | Practice Squad | PUP List |
| Allen | Ridgeway | Potoa’e | Newton |
| Payne | Mathis | Ndubuisi |
Newton might be able to return in the second half of the season and replace Mathis.
Sources: Commander.com, pro-football-reference.com