Who will the Washington Commanders select in the first round of next week’s 2025 NFL draft? The Commanders go on the clock at the night’s end, picking No. 29 overall. Will Washington even stay at No. 29, or will general manager Adam Peters move out of the first round to acquire more picks?
Washington enters the draft with several needs. Will the Commanders select an edge rusher, running back, wide receiver, cornerback, or another position? Last year, it was a no-brainer for Washington. Once quarterback Caleb Williams went off the clock at No. 1, the Commanders quickly turned in their card for Jayden Daniels and the rest is history.
It’s not that simple this time around. Of course, after winning 12 games and making it to the NFC championship game, Washington is in a much better position this year.
We look at six realistic targets for the Commanders at No. 29 overall.
Marshall EDGE Mike Green
Honestly, it’s getting harder and harder to see Green making it this far. Some, this author included, believe he’s the best pure pass rusher in this draft. Green dominated last season at Marshall. And when the Thundering Herd played against top competition, Green raised his game, too. He has quickness and power, and helped himself by weighing in at over 250 pounds. Green can get after the quarterback, and he’s no slouch against the run. If Green makes it to the Commanders, teams likely still have some character concerns due to two previous off-field incidents for which Green was never charged.
Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart
When it comes to measurables, Stewart is a dream. He’s big, fast, strong, and has excellent length. The concern with Stewart was his lack of production in college. If you watch him on film, Stewart is active. His game does not lack effort. Can’t you see Washington coach Dan Quinn gushing over Stewart’s entire package? If a defensive coach can unlock Stewart to where more of those pressures turn into sacks, that team will have a superstar.
Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Regarding productivity and style of play, Ezeiruaku looks like a Dan Quinn guy. Ezeiruaku plays every snap like it’s his last. He doesn’t possess the size of some of the other top rushers, but he has more pass-rush moves than probably anyone in this deep EDGE class. Ezeiruaku will also defend the run. Ezeiruaku likely lands somewhere in the 20s. Will he fall to Washington? If he does, Ezeiruaku could be too difficult to pass up for Peters.
Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr.
We could see the Commanders going offensive line with their first pick, whether they stick at No. 29 or move down. They’ve visited with Conerly multiple times, including inviting him to Ashburn for a top-30 visit. Conerly is still young (21), has elite size and arm length. While he isn’t the type of offensive tackle who will land in the top 10 due to his perceived lack of athleticism, Conerly gives you a little of everything. If Washington selected Conerly, he would immediately become the right tackle, moving Brandon Coleman to left guard and giving the Commanders a potentially terrific offensive line once Sam Cosmi returns from injury.
Georgia S Malaki Starks
Washington let Jeremy Chinn walk and replaced him with veteran Will Harris. That means Quan Martin and Harris will likely start at safety. While safety is not at the top of Washington’s needs, passing up the two-time All-American would be hard. Starks played a lot of nickel and safety at Georgia. That experience and versatility will prepare him well for the NFL. Not only can Starks play multiple positions, he makes plays. Given Washington’s questions at cornerback, Starks’ versatility could be an immediate asset.
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
Washington likes Henderson — a lot. Enough to spend a first-round pick on Henderson when the running back position is historically deep? It’s difficult to imagine a more perfect fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense than Henderson. He is a home-run threat who can run between the tackles. He’s also an asset in the passing game. And have you seen him in pass protection? When you see a college running back who thrives in pass protection like Henderson, it’s a different mentality. You know who loves that type of mentality? Peters and Quinn. Henderson could go before Washington’s pick, but there’s a good chance he’s on the board. He would ensure that the Commanders’ high-scoring offense remains a step ahead of opposing defenses in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 6 realistic possibilities for the Commanders at No. 29 overall
Who will the Washington Commanders select in the first round of next week’s 2025 NFL draft? The Commanders go on the clock at the night’s end, picking No. 29 overall. Will Washington even stay at No. 29, or will general manager Adam Peters move out of the first round to acquire more picks?
Washington enters the draft with several needs. Will the Commanders select an edge rusher, running back, wide receiver, cornerback, or another position? Last year, it was a no-brainer for Washington. Once quarterback Caleb Williams went off the clock at No. 1, the Commanders quickly turned in their card for Jayden Daniels and the rest is history.
It’s not that simple this time around. Of course, after winning 12 games and making it to the NFC championship game, Washington is in a much better position this year.
We look at six realistic targets for the Commanders at No. 29 overall.
Marshall EDGE Mike Green
Honestly, it’s getting harder and harder to see Green making it this far. Some, this author included, believe he’s the best pure pass rusher in this draft. Green dominated last season at Marshall. And when the Thundering Herd played against top competition, Green raised his game, too. He has quickness and power, and helped himself by weighing in at over 250 pounds. Green can get after the quarterback, and he’s no slouch against the run. If Green makes it to the Commanders, teams likely still have some character concerns due to two previous off-field incidents for which Green was never charged.
Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart
When it comes to measurables, Stewart is a dream. He’s big, fast, strong, and has excellent length. The concern with Stewart was his lack of production in college. If you watch him on film, Stewart is active. His game does not lack effort. Can’t you see Washington coach Dan Quinn gushing over Stewart’s entire package? If a defensive coach can unlock Stewart to where more of those pressures turn into sacks, that team will have a superstar.
Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Regarding productivity and style of play, Ezeiruaku looks like a Dan Quinn guy. Ezeiruaku plays every snap like it’s his last. He doesn’t possess the size of some of the other top rushers, but he has more pass-rush moves than probably anyone in this deep EDGE class. Ezeiruaku will also defend the run. Ezeiruaku likely lands somewhere in the 20s. Will he fall to Washington? If he does, Ezeiruaku could be too difficult to pass up for Peters.
Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr.
We could see the Commanders going offensive line with their first pick, whether they stick at No. 29 or move down. They’ve visited with Conerly multiple times, including inviting him to Ashburn for a top-30 visit. Conerly is still young (21), has elite size and arm length. While he isn’t the type of offensive tackle who will land in the top 10 due to his perceived lack of athleticism, Conerly gives you a little of everything. If Washington selected Conerly, he would immediately become the right tackle, moving Brandon Coleman to left guard and giving the Commanders a potentially terrific offensive line once Sam Cosmi returns from injury.
Georgia S Malaki Starks
Washington let Jeremy Chinn walk and replaced him with veteran Will Harris. That means Quan Martin and Harris will likely start at safety. While safety is not at the top of Washington’s needs, passing up the two-time All-American would be hard. Starks played a lot of nickel and safety at Georgia. That experience and versatility will prepare him well for the NFL. Not only can Starks play multiple positions, he makes plays. Given Washington’s questions at cornerback, Starks’ versatility could be an immediate asset.
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
Washington likes Henderson — a lot. Enough to spend a first-round pick on Henderson when the running back position is historically deep? It’s difficult to imagine a more perfect fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense than Henderson. He is a home-run threat who can run between the tackles. He’s also an asset in the passing game. And have you seen him in pass protection? When you see a college running back who thrives in pass protection like Henderson, it’s a different mentality. You know who loves that type of mentality? Peters and Quinn. Henderson could go before Washington’s pick, but there’s a good chance he’s on the board. He would ensure that the Commanders’ high-scoring offense remains a step ahead of opposing defenses in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 6 realistic possibilities for the Commanders at No. 29 overall
