Commanders just landed golden shot to solve hidden weakness

The Washington Commanders are likely to enter the season with Jordan Magee and Kain Medrano as their two primary backup linebackers. That might not be enough based on preseason efforts.

Both are recent draft picks of general manager Adam Peters. Both boast impressive physical traits. But as we have seen throughout Washington's warmup slate, both players need to develop if they are to be counted on for serious defensive roles early in the campaign.

Last year, starters Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu rarely left the field. If that good fortune runs out this year, will Magee or Medrano be ready? The Commanders have a couple of equally untested young players fighting for roster spots, and recently added veteran linebacker Duke Riley to the mix.

Commanders shouldd consider bolstering LB depth with Tony Fields II

Another veteran just became available when the Los Angeles Rams released Tony Fields II. This could be a solid short-term solution for the Commanders.

Fields, like Riley, is a somewhat undersized linebacker. He has stuck around and even started a handful of games due to his smarts and solid technical play. He is not going to come in and make splash plays as Magee or Medrano might, but given Washington’s need for a steadier, more experienced backup linebacker, he should be on Peters’ radar.

The fifth-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2021 played his final collegiate season at West Virginia after three years with Arizona. At 6-foot-0 and 222 pounds, scouts worried about physical limitations, but also saw a versatile second-level defender who had proven he could play both inside and outside. He had enough speed and agility to make plays all over the field, even if he was unlikely to blow up ball carriers behind the line or ever develop into a dynamic pass rusher.

Fields’ progress in Cleveland seemed on course through his first few seasons. He was a special teamer during his rookie year, but began carving out a role for himself on defense in 2022 and 2023. When he got the chance to start late in the 2022 campaign, he impressed with 33 tackles over his final four games. One of those was a nine-tackle day against Washington in a Browns victory.

His time in Cleveland came to an abrupt end when he was injured in the first game last season. He was eventually released and later signed with the Rams. They released him after their final preseason contest.

Peters is not going to give up on Magee or Medrano any time soon. They are talented athletes who will get ample opportunity to show they belong in the NFL. But the Commanders need a backup linebacker who can play right now, and Fields could be that guy. He can read plays from the middle of the field and is a solid tackler.

Equally important, he is a very good special teams contributor. The Commanders' coverage units looked suspect throughout preseason, although that should settle once stalwarts like Jeremy Reaves, Percy Butler, and Tyler Owens are on the field.

Nick Bellore has been another special-teams standout. However, it might be time for the Commanders to find a younger, more versatile option on their 53-man roster.

At 36 years old, Bellore took just seven snaps on defense last year. Fields is 10 years younger and can be relied on to play important defensive snaps if necessary. It’s by no means certain that he could come in and take a spot, but it may be worth a look.

If Fields can approximate Bellore’s play on special teams, his presence would allow Magee and Medrano a bit more time to develop before they are called on to become important parts of the Commanders’ defense.

More Commanders news and analysis