Commanders ‘Feel Good’ About Secondary After 2026 NFL Draft: Inside the Revamped Defensive Backfield

For the better part of the 2025 NFL season, the Washington Commanders’ defense was a punchline. Opposing quarterbacks carved them up with surgical precision, and the secondary—a unit that was supposed to be a strength—became a glaring weakness. While fans in Dallas and Cincinnati might argue their defenses were equally porous, the tape doesn’t lie: Washington’s defensive backfield was a liability. The front office knew it, the coaching staff knew it, and most importantly, General Manager Adam Peters knew it. An overhaul was not just desired; it was mandatory.

Fast forward to the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Commanders have executed a strategic retooling that has the organization buzzing. Despite a surprising decision to bypass a top-tier cornerback in the first round, the team’s leadership—led by Assistant General Manager Lance Newmark—is expressing genuine confidence in the secondary. Here’s how Washington transformed a weakness into a potential strength, and why the front office is “feeling good” about the defensive backfield heading into training camp.

From Free Agency Firepower to a Secondary Reset

The Commanders’ defensive woes in 2025 were systemic, but the secondary was the epicenter. Washington allowed an alarming number of explosive plays, and the lack of consistent coverage forced the defensive line to hold coverage for far too long. The front office’s response was aggressive. In free agency, the team attacked the front seven with a vengeance, signing edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, adding defensive tackle Tim Settle, and bringing in linebacker Leo Chenal. These moves were designed to generate pressure—the best friend of any secondary.

But the secondary itself didn’t go ignored. Washington made a series of calculated moves that reshaped the cornerback room. The team released veteran Marshon Lattimore, a move that was as much about salary cap management as it was about performance. They also chose not to re-sign Noah Igbinoghene or Jonathan Jones, signaling a clear shift in philosophy. In their place, the Commanders signed cornerback Amik Robertson—a versatile defender capable of playing both the slot and the outside—and veteran Ahkello Witherspoon, a long, physical corner who fits defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.’s scheme.

These additions gave Washington a cornerback room with four players carrying legitimate NFL experience: returning starters Mike Sainristil and Trey Amos, plus Robertson and Witherspoon. It’s not a flashy group, but it’s a deep one. The safety room, meanwhile, returns entirely from 2025, with the addition of Nick Cross—a rangy, athletic safety who can play deep or in the box—providing a much-needed upgrade in range and versatility.

The Draft Day Surprise: Why Washington Passed on a Cornerback

Then came the 2026 NFL Draft. The consensus among analysts was that the Commanders would target a cornerback early, especially with the Kansas City Chiefs trading ahead of Washington at No. 6 to select LSU’s Mansoor Delane, widely considered the draft’s top cornerback. When the Chiefs jumped up, the buzz in the Commanders’ war room was palpable. Would they pivot? Would they panic?

They did not. Washington held firm at No. 7 and selected linebacker Sonny Styles, a dynamic, sideline-to-sideline playmaker who was a top-five player on their board. Make no mistake: if Delane had been available at No. 6, the Commanders would have taken him. But Newmark, Peters, and the scouting staff had a clear hierarchy. Styles was the target all along, and his availability was a gift they weren’t going to pass up.

“We had a lot of conversations about Mansoor,” Newmark told reporters after the draft. “He’s a really good player. But Sonny was one of our favorites from the beginning. We were surprised he was still there. It’s a testament to the depth of this draft class.”

The decision to pass on a cornerback in the first round raised eyebrows, but the Commanders’ front office was unapologetic. They believe the secondary’s improvement will come from a combination of factors: increased pressure from the front seven, the addition of experienced veterans, and the continued development of young players like Sainristil and Amos.

Breaking Down the Depth Chart: A New Identity in the Defensive Backfield

So, what does the Commanders’ secondary actually look like now? Let’s break it down by position.

• Cornerbacks: Mike Sainristil returns as the team’s top outside corner after a solid 2025 season. Trey Amos, a second-year player with elite length, will start opposite him. Amik Robertson provides flexibility as a nickel corner or outside depth, while Ahkello Witherspoon brings a veteran presence and the ability to play press-man coverage. The team also has undrafted free agents and late-round picks competing for roster spots, but the top four are locked in.
• Safeties: The entire safety room returns, but the addition of Nick Cross changes the dynamic. Cross, a former third-round pick of the Colts, brings elite range and ball skills to the deep middle. He’ll pair with returning starter Jeremy Chinn, who excels in the box, and Darrick Forrest, a versatile player who can play both safety spots. This trio gives Washington three starting-caliber safeties, a luxury the team hasn’t had in years.
• Scheme Fit: Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. prefers a zone-heavy scheme that relies on communication and anticipation. The new additions—particularly Robertson and Cross—are instinctive players who thrive in zone concepts. Witherspoon’s length is ideal for press-bail techniques, while Sainristil’s quickness allows him to close on underneath routes. This is not a man-coverage-heavy group, but it’s a group that fits what Whitt wants to do.

Expert Analysis: Why the Commanders’ Confidence Might Be Justified

It’s easy to be skeptical. The Commanders’ secondary was abysmal in 2025, and the team didn’t draft a single cornerback until the later rounds. But a deeper look reveals a strategic pivot that could pay dividends.

First, the front seven is significantly better. Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson are both high-motor edge rushers who can win one-on-one. Tim Settle is a disruptive interior presence, and Leo Chenal is a thumper at linebacker. If this group can generate consistent pressure—something the 2025 unit failed to do—the secondary’s job becomes infinitely easier. Quarterbacks will have less time to throw, and coverage windows will shrink.

Second, the safety room is deeper and more versatile. Nick Cross’s addition allows Whitt to use more two-high safety looks, which can mask deficiencies at cornerback. With Cross patrolling the deep middle, the cornerbacks can play more aggressive underneath coverage, knowing they have help over the top. This is a stark contrast to 2025, when the Commanders were forced to play soft zones to protect their vulnerable corners.

Third, internal development matters. Mike Sainristil is entering his third season, and Trey Amos is entering his second. Both players showed flashes in 2025, and the coaching staff believes they are on the verge of a breakout. Amik Robertson, meanwhile, has a history of outperforming expectations. He was a key contributor for the Lions in 2024 before signing with Washington. These are not stars, but they are proven performers who understand their roles.

Lance Newmark summed it up best: “We feel good about the group. We have competition, we have experience, and we have a scheme that plays to their strengths. We’re not the same defense we were last year.”

Predictions for the 2026 Season: A Middle-of-the-Pack Unit with Upside

Predicting a dramatic turnaround would be foolish. The Commanders’ secondary is not suddenly elite. But it is significantly improved. Expect Washington to move from being one of the worst pass defenses in the league to a middle-of-the-pack unit in 2026. The key metrics to watch:

• Passer rating allowed: The Commanders allowed a 102.3 passer rating in 2025. Expect that number to drop to around 92-95.
• Interceptions: The secondary had just 8 interceptions last season. With Cross’s ball skills and Robertson’s instincts, 12-14 picks is a realistic goal.
• Explosive plays allowed: Washington gave up 55 completions of 20+ yards in 2025. Better safety play and improved pressure should cut that number by 15-20%.

The wild card is health. If Sainristil or Amos miss significant time, the depth behind them—led by Witherspoon and a group of unproven reserves—could be exposed. But if this unit stays healthy, the Commanders have a secondary that won’t lose games on its own. For a team that was a defensive sieve in 2025, that’s a massive win.

Conclusion: A Calculated Gamble That Could Pay Off

The Washington Commanders entered the 2026 offseason with a mandate to fix a broken defense. They attacked free agency with purpose, signed key veterans, and then made a bold decision in the draft to prioritize a linebacker over a cornerback. It was a gamble, but it was a calculated one.

Lance Newmark and the front office are right to feel good about this secondary. It’s not a star-studded group, but it’s a cohesive, experienced, and scheme-fit unit that will benefit enormously from a revamped front seven. The Commanders may not have drafted a cornerback in the first round, but they built a secondary that can compete in the NFC East.

For a team that was laughed at for its defense in 2025, that’s progress worth celebrating. The Commanders’ secondary is no longer a punchline. It’s a work in progress—but one with a clear, confident direction.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.