The 2025 NFL draft is finally here. Things are much different this year for the Washington Commanders. Last year, Washington held the No. 2 overall pick and selected quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels would lead the Commanders to 12 wins, an NFC championship game appearance and win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
You couldn’t draw up a better debut. Daniels wasn’t the only Washington rookie who shined. Cornerback Mike Sainristil, defensive tackle Johnny Newton and offensive tackle Brandon Coleman were also standouts, while tight end Ben Sinnott and wide receiver Luke McCaffrey saw action, too.
General manager Adam Peters checked off the most important box last year. Now, Peters must continue restocking the roster with youth while also finding players who can make an immediate impact.
What would make a perfect draft? First, you must consider that the Commanders have only five picks because they traded for starters Marshon Lattimore, Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil. So, any analysis of Washington’s draft must include the trades for the veterans.
Let’s look at what the Commanders must do to ace the draft and finish off an impressive offseason.
Explore trading back, especially after the first round
One of the themes of this draft is that the talent level is extremely comparable once you get outside the first few picks. That favors Washington, which picks lower. However, also consider that other teams may feel the same way and choose to stay put, drafting the best player on their board. What could help the Commanders is that by picking at the bottom of the first round, quarterback-needy teams could look to trade back into the first round to get that fifth-year option.
Even if Washington is stuck picking at No. 29, it should still look to move back from No. 61. With only five picks, the Commanders need to add more young and talented players. Of course, if a premium player is staring them in the face, they shouldn’t think twice and take him.
Add an edge rusher
The Commanders need to come away from this draft with an edge rusher. In his meeting with the media on Tuesday, Peters spoke of the depth at the position. That’s great news because it doesn’t force Washington to select a pass rusher 29th overall. There are several options outside of the first round, such as Louisville’s Ashton Gillotte. The Commanders believe in their coaching staff to develop players. The key is finding a guy who offers you something immediately while you help develop the rest of his game. If the guy they want is not available when they’re on the clock, there’s enough depth to wait until their next selection.
Add an offensive playmaker — or two
The Commanders reportedly love Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. He may not be there when they are first on the clock, though. Also, even if Henderson is on the clock, Peters may choose to address running back elsewhere in the draft. The running back class is ridiculously deep. That bodes well for Washington to land a back somewhere in the draft.
Let’s not forget about wide receiver. Remember, Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel and Noah Brown are all playing on expiring contracts. It’s almost a lock that Washington will get something done with McLaurin, who’s earned every penny. Even if the Commanders don’t land an immediate starter — they don’t need one — they should focus on adding either size or speed. Washington lost Dyami Brown in free agency. Peters hasn’t replaced him this offseason. You don’t necessarily need to look for a receiver on the first two days of the draft.
Cornerback
With the addition of Lattimore last season and the signing of Jonathan Jones, you’d think the Commanders would be fine here. After all, Mike Sainristil is coming off a breakout rookie campaign, while the solid and dependable Noah Igbinoghene returned. However, the Commanders still don’t know what they have in Lattimore. Sure, they’re confident he’ll revert to his previous form after a finally healthy offseason. His play late last season and in the playoffs was concerning. He did have a valid reason for his struggles.
Sainristil, Jones and Igbinoghene can all play inside or outside. Ideally, you draft an outside cornerback to play opposite Lattimore and Sainristil goes back in the slot. Washington is confident in its current group, but it did scout numerous cornerbacks throughout the pre-draft process, several of whom are projected to go after the first round.
Keep building the trenches
By adding Tunsil via trade and moving Brandon Coleman to right tackle (or potentially guard), Peters has already improved his offensive line. Washington interviewed and met with several offensive line prospects over the past few months, even hosting some on pre-draft visits. If the right offensive lineman falls to No. 29, Peters will not hesitate to pick them. Whether it’s in the first round or later, Washington must keep adding bodies to the offensive line.
If the Commanders added Josh Conerly Jr., he could play right tackle, allowing Coleman to shift to guard. What if Peters selects West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum? He can start him at left guard, keeping Coleman at right tackle. There are several possibilities for Washington to further improve its offensive line.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Here’s what the Commanders should do in the 2025 NFL draft
The 2025 NFL draft is finally here. Things are much different this year for the Washington Commanders. Last year, Washington held the No. 2 overall pick and selected quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels would lead the Commanders to 12 wins, an NFC championship game appearance and win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
You couldn’t draw up a better debut. Daniels wasn’t the only Washington rookie who shined. Cornerback Mike Sainristil, defensive tackle Johnny Newton and offensive tackle Brandon Coleman were also standouts, while tight end Ben Sinnott and wide receiver Luke McCaffrey saw action, too.
General manager Adam Peters checked off the most important box last year. Now, Peters must continue restocking the roster with youth while also finding players who can make an immediate impact.
What would make a perfect draft? First, you must consider that the Commanders have only five picks because they traded for starters Marshon Lattimore, Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil. So, any analysis of Washington’s draft must include the trades for the veterans.
Let’s look at what the Commanders must do to ace the draft and finish off an impressive offseason.
Explore trading back, especially after the first round
One of the themes of this draft is that the talent level is extremely comparable once you get outside the first few picks. That favors Washington, which picks lower. However, also consider that other teams may feel the same way and choose to stay put, drafting the best player on their board. What could help the Commanders is that by picking at the bottom of the first round, quarterback-needy teams could look to trade back into the first round to get that fifth-year option.
Even if Washington is stuck picking at No. 29, it should still look to move back from No. 61. With only five picks, the Commanders need to add more young and talented players. Of course, if a premium player is staring them in the face, they shouldn’t think twice and take him.
Add an edge rusher
The Commanders need to come away from this draft with an edge rusher. In his meeting with the media on Tuesday, Peters spoke of the depth at the position. That’s great news because it doesn’t force Washington to select a pass rusher 29th overall. There are several options outside of the first round, such as Louisville’s Ashton Gillotte. The Commanders believe in their coaching staff to develop players. The key is finding a guy who offers you something immediately while you help develop the rest of his game. If the guy they want is not available when they’re on the clock, there’s enough depth to wait until their next selection.
Add an offensive playmaker — or two
The Commanders reportedly love Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. He may not be there when they are first on the clock, though. Also, even if Henderson is on the clock, Peters may choose to address running back elsewhere in the draft. The running back class is ridiculously deep. That bodes well for Washington to land a back somewhere in the draft.
Let’s not forget about wide receiver. Remember, Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel and Noah Brown are all playing on expiring contracts. It’s almost a lock that Washington will get something done with McLaurin, who’s earned every penny. Even if the Commanders don’t land an immediate starter — they don’t need one — they should focus on adding either size or speed. Washington lost Dyami Brown in free agency. Peters hasn’t replaced him this offseason. You don’t necessarily need to look for a receiver on the first two days of the draft.
Cornerback
With the addition of Lattimore last season and the signing of Jonathan Jones, you’d think the Commanders would be fine here. After all, Mike Sainristil is coming off a breakout rookie campaign, while the solid and dependable Noah Igbinoghene returned. However, the Commanders still don’t know what they have in Lattimore. Sure, they’re confident he’ll revert to his previous form after a finally healthy offseason. His play late last season and in the playoffs was concerning. He did have a valid reason for his struggles.
Sainristil, Jones and Igbinoghene can all play inside or outside. Ideally, you draft an outside cornerback to play opposite Lattimore and Sainristil goes back in the slot. Washington is confident in its current group, but it did scout numerous cornerbacks throughout the pre-draft process, several of whom are projected to go after the first round.
Keep building the trenches
By adding Tunsil via trade and moving Brandon Coleman to right tackle (or potentially guard), Peters has already improved his offensive line. Washington interviewed and met with several offensive line prospects over the past few months, even hosting some on pre-draft visits. If the right offensive lineman falls to No. 29, Peters will not hesitate to pick them. Whether it’s in the first round or later, Washington must keep adding bodies to the offensive line.
If the Commanders added Josh Conerly Jr., he could play right tackle, allowing Coleman to shift to guard. What if Peters selects West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum? He can start him at left guard, keeping Coleman at right tackle. There are several possibilities for Washington to further improve its offensive line.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Here’s what the Commanders should do in the 2025 NFL draft
