Which current Commanders defensive players will thrive under new coordinator Daronte Jones?

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Current Commanders fits with Daronte Jones’ new system

Breaking down how the current Commanders roster could fit with Jones and where there could be issues

Fits with shift to 3-4 front

One of the first changes we could see from Jones is a shift from a base 4-3 defense to a base 3-4. Typically, this isn’t as big a deal as it once was, because most defenses play live in nickel packages now anyway. Even when they aren’t in nickel, most defenses in the NFL are hybrids that use both 4-3 and 3-4 looks. But the Vikings under Flores and Jones stuck to their 3-4 principles, so I think we can expect to see that shift.

The Commanders used plenty of 3-4 looks last season, so there’s some natural fits in the current personnel for that front already, especially on the interior defensive line.

The Commanders generally had more success defending the run in a 3-4 front throughout this past season. Players like Kinlaw and Payne are big but versatile defensive lineman that can line up across the front and be effective. What we saw from the Vikings defense led by Flores and Jones was that they preferred to keep their three defensive tackles on the field as often as possible in order to remain stout against the run.

They weren’t looking for a great deal of pass rush from those big bodies, because the pass rush would come from the blitz packages. But what they needed was stout run defenders from those three defensive lineman to provide the flexibility from a coverage perspective to keep two safeties back deep and use two-deep safety coverage schemes like quarters. If you’re going to be effective defending the run from a two-deep safety structure, then you need a few stout bodies up front, which is what makes that 3-4 look so appealing to this defensive scheme.

So the profile of defensive lineman needed for this scheme is typically bigger guys like Payne, Kinlaw and Goldman. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any room for a slightly undersized defensive tackle like Johnny Newton. There’s potential for this new scheme to be very beneficial for Newton. With two other defensive tackles on the field, Newton can be placed in slightly wider alignments than he saw for large parts of last season. As we saw against the Cowboys at the end of the season, he’s much more effective in those positions.

Commanders Roundtable

Defensive focus is becoming clear for Commanders in 2026

Jones brings a history disruption to the Commanders’ secondary where the Vikings recorded 73 interceptions during his four seasons with the organization, including an interception in every game during 2024. But the next question is how the Commanders address the front seven, though Nick Jhabvala of The Athletic was the first to report that the team’s defensive staff remains fluid with a “focus to bring on someone to oversee the front seven, with a focus on improving the pass rush.”

It’s the latest bit of evidence that general manager Adam Peters is focused on rebuilding the Commanders’ pass rush after noting the team needs to address “a lot of spots.” But after also being spotted scouting the edge prospects ahead of Tuesday’s Shrine Bowl, Peters also noted in his end of season press conference that addressing the pass rush in any capacity is an offseason focus.

“I think where we can look at, I think, certainly another pass rusher would be something we’d definitely be looking for. Whether that’s the draft or free agency, I think we have a lot of good options in both of those areas,” he said earlier this month.

[O]ne thing is clear – Washington will look to upgrade the defense after posting the league’s worst turnover margin and ranked middle of the league with 42 sacks.