Commanders just got a gift-wrapped gamble that could fix their biggest flaw

It's no secret that fans are extremely concerned about the Washington Commanders' lack of legitimate pass-rushing options heading into the season. General manager Adam Peters seems happy enough for now, but that doesn't mean he won't keep a close eye on developments around the league.

Salary cap casualties will emerge. Players will fall out of favor and find themselves on the proverbial scrap heap. For the Commanders, this is all about finding value with the right fit who could make an immediate contribution.

The likes of Jadeveon Clowney and Za'Darius Smith have been sitting on the market for a while. One would think if the Commanders were interested, they'd already be on board. That's not the case as yet, but another intriguing yet less accomplished pass-rusher just became available to potentially pursue.

Comamnders could take a flier on Ogbo Okoronkwo's athletic attributes

Ogbo Okoronkwo was a big-money signing by the Cleveland Browns in 2023 free agency. He was an athletic force coming off the edge who those in power still believed had some untapped potential attached. Unfortunately, he was never able to meet the lofty price tag.

The Browns released Okoronkwo with one year remaining on his deal. That probably didn't come as a great shock. Even so, his length, explosiveness, and raw power represent a solid fit in Washington's defensive strategy.

This might be the sort of player Peters is looking for. The Commanders found good fortune in taking chances on veterans a little down on their luck during the previous campaign. Okoronkwo represents that, but it's a much riskier proposition than someone like Clowney or Smith.

It wouldn't cost much for the Commanders to find out for sure. Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. have had a lot of success with players boasting Okoronkwo's physical attributes in recent years. The former fifth-round pick out of Oklahoma is a high-risk acquisition, but the rewards could be substantial if he finally puts everything together.

Peters might wait. Reports suggest he's willing to give those already around a chance to impress over the early stages of training camp before deciding on further action. But if the front-office leader believes Okoronkwo's skill set could make a difference, he won't hesitate to pull the trigger.

Watch this space…

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