The 5 O’Clock Club: What can we expect from Washington’s 2024 defense after 2023’s “Legion of Bust”?

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Cowboys defense under Dan Quinn (3 seasons)

While the Commanders had one of the worst pass defenses in the league in 2024, and while the team was busy giving up 25.5 points per game on the way to a 4-13 record, Dan Quinn was busy in Dallas. While his defenses had some vulnerabilities, they were impressive where it counted, not only achieving a top-7 finish in points-per-game each season, but improving that number in each succeeding year.

How much of this magic can head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt bring to Washington’s partially-reconstituted defense in 2024?

Primary offseason players on Commanders 2024 defense

Safeties:
Jeremy Chinn
Derrick Forrest
Quan Martin
Jeremy Reaves
Percy Butler
Dominique Hampton

Corners:
Ben St-Juste
Michael Davis
Mikey Sainristil
Emmanuel Forbes
Christian Holmes
Kyu Blu Kelly
Tariq Castro-Fields
James Pierre
Noah Igbinoghene
Chigozie Anusiem

Linebackers
Bobby Wagner
Frankie Luvu
Jamin Davis
Jordan McGee
Anthony Pittman
Mykal Walker

Defensive Ends
Dorance Armstrong
Clelin Ferrell
Dante Fowler
Efe Obada
KJ Henry
Andre Jones
Javontae Jean Baptiste

Defensive Tackles
Daron Payne
Jonathan Allen
Johnny Newton
John Ridgeway
Phil Mathis
Benning Potoa’e
Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi