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A to Z Sports
Grading the signing: Commanders land young, ascending LB Leo Chenal to thrive in Daronte Jones’ defense
A to Z Sports Kansas City beat writer Charles Goldman says that Chenal was a key part of the Chiefs’ defense, and still has his best ahead of him.
“Chenal was a third-round pick by the Chiefs in 2022 out of the University of Wisconsin. Chenal has played the role of a physical downhill SAM linebacker in Steve Spagnuolo’s 4-3 scheme, becoming an integral part of Kansas City’s base and heavy personnel packages, bringing aggressive run defense and blitzing ability while rounding out his coverage
skills. Over four seasons with the Chiefs, Chenal became a two-time Super Bowl champion, recording 218 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, six passes defended, and one interception across 65 regular-season games and 44 starts. He feels like a player with some untapped potential as a full-time pass-rusher in a 3-4 scheme.” – Charles Goldman, A to Z Sports Kansas City
He’s an elite athlete who had a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score, and it helps him thrive in coverage and become an effective pass rusher as well. At 6-3, 250 pounds, Chenal can fly and cover a lot of ground, which is what Jones wants in his defense. The Commanders got a younger ascending player who is hitting his prime with a larger role coming his way, and also an overall top LB in the NFL at a good price.
GRADE: A
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
What Tight End Chig Okonkwo brings to the Washington Commanders
He’s another explosive athlete, though at 6-foot-3, 238 pounds, he’s a little undersized for the tight end position. That lighter frame makes him vulnerable as a run blocker, but it comes with benefits too. He’s more agile and shifty as a receiver, which makes him tough for linebackers and safeties to cover.
Undoubtedly. Okonkwo is coming to Washington to be the Commanders top receiving tight end, a spot that was vacated by Zach Ertz. He doesn’t win in the same ways as Ertz, so new offensive coordinator David Blough will have to change how the Commanders use the tight end in the passing game, but fortunately Okonkwo is a versatile piece that can be used in a lot of different ways.
The most obvious way to use Okonkwo’s athletic ability is vertically. He has good long speed and can threaten in the seams and down the field while linebackers and safeties struggle to stay with him.
The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders add safety Nick Cross to new-look defense
Cross gives Washington some needed speed in the back end of the defense. The Bowie, Md. native and alum of D.C.-area power DeMatha Catholic ran a 4.34-second 40 at the NFL combine in 2022, the fastest among safeties that year.
Only 20 years old at the time, Cross was selected by the Colts, who traded up to get him in the third round of the draft at 96th overall. He’s started every game for Indianapolis the last two seasons, totaling 266 tackles (11 for loss), four interceptions, 10 passes defended, 3.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits in that span.
Like many of the other defensive players Washington has agreed to acquire this week, Cross’s versatility is one of his selling points. Last season, he played almost everywhere on defense — in the post, in the box, on the line, in the slot, and out wide.
Commanders Roundtable
Washington Commanders Sign Former Chiefs Defensive Lineman Charles Omenihu
Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Charles Omenihu has reportedly agreed to a one year deal with Washington worth up to $7 million, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Omenihu joins the organization after three seasons in Kansas City where he posted 11.5 sacks and 62 total tackles along with three forced fumbles. He joined the organization after a stint with the San Francisco 49ers, giving Peters and the Commanders familiarity around the free agent. Omenihu was sent to the 49ers in exchange for a future draft pick after posting 11 quarterback pressures with the Houston Texans in 2021. With the 49ers, he tallied 37 total tackles with 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 2022.
The latest signing also marks a signal that the front office is doing what the fanbase hoped for – rebuilding the front seven. Omenihu becomes the latest defensive lineman in the fold after inking Odafe Oweh to a four deal worth up to $100 million, along with signing Tim Settle who adds to the interior defensive line. Former Patriots edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson became the first of three impact free agent signings on Wednesday, while Washington already re-signed Deatrich Wise Jr, Drake Jackson and Shy Tuttle ahead of the legal tampering window, which officially opened on Monday.
Riggo’s Rag
Chiefs expert offers cautionary tale around Commanders’ Charles Omenhiu deal
Matt Conner of Arrowhead Addict acknowledged that a season under his belt after tearing his ACL could see him return to the form of old. He also outlined a cautionary tale that Commanders fans should know about their newest acquisition.
“[Charles] Omenihu is an interesting buy on the open market. He signed with K.C. in ’23 as a catalytic rotational addition to the edge and it paid off to begin with: a career-high 7 sacks for a team on another deep postseason run. Then he tore his ACL in the AFC Championship and missed all but 6 games the following year.
“The Chiefs brought him back on a one-year deal hoping for a rebound season, but an ankle injury nagged him, but it’s easy to tell something was missing either way. Maybe some distance from the ACL tear will yield better numbers. Maybe age mixed with wear and tear will limit him. But taking the risk with an incentive-laden deal is not a bad move, all things considered.”
Obviously, the Commanders will have done their due diligence on Omenihu’s injury complications. They must have been satisfied with his prognosis, and hopefully, he’ll get a full offseason to fully adjust and prepare for the new campaign in a different environment.
Peters also knows the player well from their time together on the San Francisco 49ers. The front-office leader knows what the player can bring to the table when healthy. Omenihu may not start, but he’s a valuable chess piece capable of lining up almost anywhere in the trenches, depending on the situation.
Commanders Wire
Commanders’ free agency: 5 things to know about LB Leo Chenal
Super Bowl history
Chenal’s talent didn’t disappear when he landed in the NFL. No, as part of the Chiefs beginning in 2022, Chenal is a two-time Super Bowl Champion. He’s not just a two-time champ; he actually participated in both Super Bowl games and made an impact while he was on the field. During his rookie season, he recorded six tackles and a sack against the Philadelphia Eagles to aid the Chiefs in their 38-35 victory. The following season, the Chiefs were back in the Super Bowl, this time facing the San Francisco 49ers. Chenal continued to show his prowess by recording six tackles, one tackle for a loss, one forced fumble, and a blocked extra point in the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime win.
The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders agree to deal with former Patriots edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson
Chaisson, a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, was one of a slew of free-agent signings by the Patriots last year who worked out in a big way. He took a one-year deal with New England, hoping it would yield the best football of his career and fulfill some of the expectations that arrived when he was the 20th pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars six years ago.
The breakout he hoped for arrived in the form of a career-high 7.5 sacks and 59 pressures. Chaisson, 26, was at his best in the biggest games, too, notching 20 pressures in New England’s four playoff games during its run to the Super Bowl.
He was No. 43 on The Athletic’s list of the top 150 free agents of 2026 and seventh among edge rushers.
Chaisson hasn’t quite lived up to his first-round draft slot, but he is coming off two fairly productive seasons. In 2024 with the Raiders, he had five sacks, most of them coming off the bench (he started only four games that season). His 11.6 percent pressure rate was also the second-highest among Raiders players with at least 100 pass rushes that season, according to Next Gen Stats.
Last season, he had his most productive year yet, totaling 7.5 sacks plus a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
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DallasCowboys.com
Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas traded by Cowboys
The Cowboys have agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers to send Odighizuwa to the Bay Area in exchange for a third-round pick (92nd overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Thomas is heading to the Tennessee Titans for a seventh-round swap in April. The Cowboys now pick No. 218 in exchange for No. 225.
The deals come a few months after Dallas traded to acquire both Pro Bowler Kenny Clark and All-Pro Quinnen Williams, revamping the defensive tackle position in a major way, recently signing Otito Ogbonnia to join second-year player Jay Toia as depth, having recently waived Perrion Winfrey.
The Cowboys will move forward now having a third-round pick, having not had one prior, and $16 million in salary that will be accountable to San Francisco, with Dallas landing $4.75 million in overall cap savings from Odighizuwa’s trade and another $2.5 million by moving on from Thomas.
