Oweh, Armstrong & Chaisson should feast in Commanders new defensive scheme
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 18: Defensive end Dorance Armstrong #92 of the Washington Commanders strip sacks quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game, at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesIn this week's Reacts survey, we asked Hogs Haven readers which defensive player would have the most sacks in 2026.
For the first time in my life, I'll use some sports parlance that I picked up over the past few years watching TV, YouTube and podcasts: the results in this survey were chalk'.
If you haven't picked up the term by osmosis, then let me offer this Google explanation of its meaning:
When a sports analyst or bettor describes something as chalk," they are referring to the betting favorite-usually an overwhelming or heavy favorite to win.
Why It's Called Chalk"
The term is a throwback to the early days of horse racing and bookmaking. Before digital odds boards existed, bookmakers wrote the odds for each race on a chalkboard. Because bettors naturally place most of their money on the favorite, oddsmakers had to erase and update those specific odds constantly. The horses' names getting the most action were written and rewritten so many times that the board became covered in chalk dust, officially making favorites known as the chalk".
Respondents in our survey overwhelmingly voted for veteran edge rushers, with nearly 60% of them identifying Odafe Oweh as the Commanders' prospective 2026 sack leader.
This follows the money - Oweh was signed to a 4-year, $96m contract in March - and it follows the statistical evidence; Oweh has averaged 6.6 sacks per 17 games during his 5-year career to-date. No other Commanders player has averaged more than 5 sacks per 17 games.
Respondents also voted for Dorance Armstrong and K'Lavon Chaisson, who each racked up impressive sack numbers in recent seasons. Armstrong has had good sack production for the past 5 seasons in Dallas and Washington, playing 4 of those seasons under Dan Quinn. Armstrong is second on the team, averaging 5 sacks per 17 games, and Chaisson produced 12.5 sacks in 2024 & 2025 playing for the Raiders and Patriots, and average of 6.25 per season over the past two years. I was a little surprised that there wasn't more love for Deatrich Wise, who has more career sacks than any other Commander on the 91-man roster.
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In an effort to create more pressure and turnovers, the Commanders have overhauled the defense for the 2026 season, bringing in 11 new players to make up roughly 44% of the defensive side of the ball. General Manager Adam Peters completely revamped the front seven by signing free-agent edge rushers like Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, and Charles Omenihu while re-tooling the LB group by signing Leo Chenal from the Chiefs and using the No. 7 overall draft pick on All-American LB Sonny Styles.
This talent influx aligns with the primary schematic changes being implemented by new DC Daronte Jones, who is transitioning the team to a D-line friendly" system influenced by Brian Flores and others. This scheme should rely heavily on zone coverage, creating opportunities for the interior pass rushers (like Charles Omenihu) and edge rushers through creative pressure packages, picks, and stunts that keep linemen in advantageous one-on-one blocks. Don't be surprised to see safeties, linebackers and even defensive tackles & cornerbacks participate in the pressure party this season. Odafeh Oweh and his teammates should have ample opportunities to put opposing passers in the dirt for at least 17 weeks in 2026.
Commanders fans have good reason to expect success from this unit because of the offseason focus on acquiring younger, faster, and highly versatile athletes with significant upside in both free agency and the draft. This injection of speed and depth is exactly what Washington needs to bounce back from last year's league-worst yardage totals and effectively support franchise QB Jayden Daniels.