Kinlaw and Goldman anchored Washington's front, delivering a career-day run-stuffing effort while teeing off Russell Wilson with steady pressure. The Commanders’ four-man disruptors flashed depth, and Miller contributed in the run game as Washington topped the Week 1 charts on run defense. In Houston, Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and Sheldon Rankins formed a menacing pass rush that piled up pressures and kept Matthew Stafford on edge. Minnesota’s night was highlighted by a flood of quarterback pressure, and Dallas’ front held the Eagles’ run game in check, even with Parsons sidelined.

Week 1 underscored how elite fronts can swing game tempo: Washington’s interior duo and their edge mates set a physical tone in both run and pass, while the Texans’ trio showed the rest-of-season fantasy upside for hedge defenses. The Vikings and Cowboys also showed the value of relentless pressure and stout run defense, signaling which lines to monitor for streaming and matchup plays as the season unfolds.

Quinn stressed run defense and tackling as Week 1 nears, citing preseason progress and new interior heft from Goldman, Kinlaw, and Wise Jr. to tighten the middle. Technically, the defense should be more cohesive with added mass and better technique up front.

Fantasy angle: a sturdier run defense could cap opposing RBs and lift Washington's D/ST floor in favorable spots. Early-season snaps and rotation will dictate how quickly these gains show in fantasy points.

Washington's 2025 defensive line overhaul shifts from Allen and Fowler to a rotation featuring Kinlaw, Goldman, Day, Martin, Holmes, Ferrell, and Wise, with Payne and Newton back and Von Miller added as a situational edge. The plan centers on size, interior disruption, and multiple rushing options to improve the run defense and pressure in waves. Cutdown day looms as Peters trims to a 53-man DL with youth and versatility under consideration.

Washington’s run defense looks notably improved in 2025, with Javon Kinlaw keying a revamped interior alongside Daron Payne and Jer’Zhan Newton. Kinlaw, signed after San Francisco development and a productive Jets stint, anchors a interior that has also added Eddie Goldman to clog lanes. Payne, now in a favored role, pairs with Kinlaw to attract double teams, freeing Newton to flash as a disruptor. The preseason opener underscored a shift, though the starting unit wasn't present. Signs are encouraging, and the real test arrives Week 1 against the Giants, where Barkley and a stronger line will put the unit to the test. Washington still relies on a mix of veterans and the young duo to slow the opponent in the trenches, but early camp reports and scrimmages point to a bettable improvement in the run game for 2025.

The Washington Commanders have bolstered their defensive line by signing Eddie Goldman to a one-year deal, filling the void left by the release of Jonathan Allen. Goldman, a 31-year-old veteran, previously played with the Atlanta Falcons, tallying one sack and 16 tackles across 17 games last season. Originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2015, Goldman has had a tumultuous career, including a retirement announcement in 2022 only to return to the field last season. His addition, along with fellow newcomer Javon Kinlaw, aims to enhance a defensive unit already featuring Daron Payne and Jer’Zhan Newton.