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Commanders may have just stumbled into perfect fix for their biggest problem
Adam Peters Greg Fiume/GettyImages

It's no secret that the Washington Commanders are light on edge rushing options heading into the 2025 offseason. Adam Peters hasn't addressed the need urgently enough during his second recruitment period, opting to bide his time and wait.

Every prominent pass-rusher who gets released in the coming weeks will probably be tied to the Commanders. Speculation linking Washington with three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney immediately surfaced after the Carolina Panthers cut ties with the player. Whether it comes with any concrete interest remains to be seen, but he'd be a useful addition if the money is right.

However, one notable development around the league comes with closer connections to Peters.

Commanders should investigate Drake Jackson's outlook after 49ers departure

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers waived Drake Jackson with a failed physical designation. The former second-round pick is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp, but general manager John Lynch opted to go in a different direction.

This will provoke a discussion in Washington's front office. Or at least it should.

Peters was part of the draft process that resulted in San Francisco taking Jackson at No. 61 overall in 2022. His career hasn't gone according to plan due to injuries and a longer rookie adjustment than expected, but his flashes as a pass-rusher indicate it's too soon to be giving up on him just yet.

Jackson only recently turned 24 years old. He's not a washed-up veteran down on his luck. With a better run of good fortune on the health front, the edge threat could improve quickly under Washington's accomplished coaching staff.

That also included a familiar face for the player. Defensive line coach Darryl Tapp spent two seasons coaching Jackson. This would make the transition go smoothly in this scenario, but much will depend on how much the patellar tendon injury that saw him miss the entire 2024 campaign will affect him long term.

Peters will have a good lay of the land regarding this situation. He's still got plenty of friends in San Francisco, so a quick call should clear things up. If this is a route he takes, fans should have complete confidence in his judgment.

Whether it's Jackson, Clowney, or someone else, the Commanders need more explosiveness in their edge rushing room. The USC graduate comes with high risk attached, but Peters could potentially stumble into the perfect fix for his biggest remaining problem if his injury problems become a thing of the past.

More Commanders news and analysis


This article first appeared on Riggo's Rag and was syndicated with permission.

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