​Older Washington Commanders fans will recall the franchise’s most notable years for its strong defensive tackles, a unit that anchored many playoff runs. In the 1980s, the Redskins captured the NFC crown three times, appeared in three Super Bowls, and won two of them. The 1991 season saw Washington again claim the NFC title and prevail in the Super Bowl. A common thread across those successful teams was a formidable pair of run-stopping tackles. Dave Butz and Darryl Grant anchored the line for the Super Bowl squads of 1982, 1983, and 1987. The 1991 championship team featured Eric Williams and Tim Johnson, both stout at clogging running lanes.
Earlier this week, ESPN published results from its seventh annual survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to rank the top defensive tackles entering the 2026 season. This ranking is not a career tally but a projection of who the best interior linemen will be as the new season begins. Unsurprisingly, no Commanders are on the top-10 list. Sorry, Daron Payne. Yet Commanders fans will recognize several names on the list, given Washington’s ongoing NFC East schedule challenges against these interior disruptors.
1) Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks: Williams has consistently posed problems for Washington over his 11-year NFL career, whether with the New York Giants or the Seahawks.
2) Jeffrey Simmons, Tennessee Titans: The Titans and Simmons agreed to a three-year, $105.8 million extension that includes $100 million guaranteed. The average of about $35.28 million per year stands as the highest annual average for any defensive tackle in the league.
3) Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles: Carter has recorded 83 pass-rush wins as an interior lineman since 2023, tying for the seventh-most in the NFL. Washington will face him twice each season when he’s with the Eagles.
4) Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs: Jones led the league in pass-rush wins while facing double teams (22) and led interior linemen in pressures (45) during the 2025 season.
5) Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers: Brown continues to fulfill expectations as the No. 7 overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft.
6) Quinnen Williams, Dallas Cowboys: Williams ranked fifth in run-stop win rate (43%) among 204 qualified players in 2025. The Commanders will meet Williams twice yearly as they host the Cowboys.
7) Dexter Lawrence, Cincinnati Bengals: Lawrence caused Washington trouble for years as a member of the New York Giants. Traded to Cincinnati, he will again test Washington in a Week 11 Monday Night Football matchup.
9) Milton Williams, New England Patriots: The Commanders faced Williams twice per season when he played for the Eagles; with the Patriots, that schedule clash will be less frequent.
10) Jordan Davis, Philadelphia Eagles: The Commanders’ task is daunting as they prepare to face Davis and Jalen Carter twice each season in the NFC East.
This piece originally appeared on Commanders Wire and was crafted to align with SEO goals for the topic of Washington’s encounters with the NFL’s top defensive tackles in 2026. The ranking above reflects contemporary assessments of interior linemen and Washington’s regular competition against them, rather than a record of past achievements.