Washington Commanders 30.5 PPG, Sacks 39: 26th

The Washington Commanders finished last in points per game, allowing 30.5. It was the last year for a regime that was plagued from the start with owner issues, stadium issues, legal issues, and a Head Coach coming out of cancer treatment (We love you Ron)!

Add on numerous injuries and an unproven quarterback to lead the team, and it was a recipe for disaster, ultimately ending their season before it began. In addition to that the player that led the team in sacks was traded halfway through the year… and no one was able to pass his total after that. That is pathetic, and they only managed 39 sacks on the season. However, a big change is predicted for 2024

2024 Projection: 10th

Yes that is correct, a jump from the worst defense to a top ten defense in just one season. Rarely achieved but more than possible, and with the massive overall within the organization, success could come quicker than expected. It all begins with Head Coach Dan Quinn, who has had amazing defenses since becoming an NFL defensive coordinator. 

The Seattle Seahawks all-time defense, ”The Legion of Boom” went to two Super Bowls, and the Atlanta Falcons most recent Super Bowl appearance were both achieved in just two years of the arrival of Quinn. The Dallas Cowboys gave up a franchise record 473 points and the second most rushing yards in franchise history the year prior to Quinn’s arrival. His first year Dallas went 12-5, and the Cowboys led the league in turnovers all three years of Quinn’s tenure.

Now he is the head coach of the rival Washington Commanders, a division he knows well. There are also several new faces that happen to be some of the best IDPs in the NFL.

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

LB – Frankie Luvu
DB – Jeremy Chinn
LB – Bobby Wagner

A true overhaul of the defense was implemented immediately upon arrival for Quinn. While most of the focus is on future Hall of Fame member Bobby Wanger, Frankie Luvu will likely be the star of this defense. Micah Parsons was a problem for opposing offenses, he was a mismatch nightmare, or was forced to be double teamed. Luvu is going to be used in this exact same manner that Parsons was.

Luvu has been on a tear the past two seasons and he is not a one dimensional player. He recorded 125 combined tackles last year, but also had 11 quarterback hits, 5.5 sacks, and 5 passes defended. He has 20 career sacks in just 39 games started. Quinn made it a priority to get Luvu on the Commanders and he will be utilized in a way that should earn him an All-Pro or Pro Bowl selection.

He was sparingly used in his years with the Jets, and he could be called an NFL late bloomer. But he also has much less wear and tear on his body and should see a record amount of snaps this season. Luvu does not go as early as other linebackers but it is recommended to queue him up once the first linebacker is selected. 

Jeremy Chinn was also a high priority for Quinn, as the Commanders have what many consider to have been the best two IDPs on the 2023 Carolina Panthers roster. There are six starters on the defense that were not with the Commanders last year, a new vibe and energy will be seen from the their defense, and Chinn will be everywhere within it.

Chinn’s main priority will be to stay healthy as he has not matched the output of his first two seasons in the league. He could surpass all of his single season marks with a healthy season though. There are so many great players on this defense and at all three levels Chinn will not be able to be singled out. As the starting strong safety will be in the box, out of the box, in man and zone coverage, on both sides of the offense, and will have opportunities for sacks and interceptions.

He will have to compete for tackles with a great front seven, but all indications are Chinn is headed for a career year. He is still a popular defensive back, and he usually is drafted in the top fifteen defensive backs. He has value in standard leagues, but in leagues with multiple DB requirements, or several IDP flex positions, Chinn should be seen as a target to draft.

Bobby Wagner AKA “Bobby Dubs”. What can be said of Wagner that hasn’t been said already? He is the best linebacker of his era, and truthfully he is among the greatest linebackers of this century… if not all-time. And like several greats, his production doesn’t stop. He led the league in tackles last year with 184, and is 4 solo tackles away from 1,000 in his career. The 34 year old is coming off an All-Pro season in his encore performance for the Seattle Seahawks, not that it was a big deal as it was his tenth selection in a row!

He has familiarity with Dan Quinn, and they went to two Super Bowls together, as part of the “Legion of Boom”. Although on a new team, he will once again be the leader of a defense, but a defense he knows well. Bobby Dubs has played 14 or more games in 11 of his 12 NFL seasons. In the one he did not play 14, he played 11. The fewest tackles he has recorded in a season was that year… 104. 
The man is simply a marvel and not treasured enough by the football community or media. He is beloved by IDP fantasy managers, and is a popular name that does not slip past the cracks. If you want Bobby Dubs you will have to pay up for him, but another 100 tackle season is in store. After all, what’s another 100 tackles when you have 1,706?

Thanks for reading the top D/ST & IDPs of 2024, hopefully it was helpful and informative.

Remember I am always happy to respond to any IDP or Fantasy Football questions on my X/Twitter @IDP_Iggy.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky
-Iggy-