What if the Washington Commanders surprised everyone and used a first-round pick on a position no one expected?
The 2025 NFL draft kicks off Thursday in Green Bay, and the Commanders are not on the clock until No. 29 overall. Mock drafts are all over the place for Washington. Most believe the Commanders will select an edge rusher, while several suggest an offensive lineman, and others are split between a cornerback, wide receiver, or running back.
What if general manager Adam Peters shocks everyone and selects a linebacker?
In his latest draft intel for ESPN, NFL insider Adam Schefter reveals what he’s hearing and suggests a surprise for the Commanders at No. 29: UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger, projected by many as a Day 2 pick, has a chance to go in the end of Round 1 to a team such as the Commanders (No. 29) or Bills (No. 30) that might be looking for additional defensive help.
In a mock draft over the weekend, we had Schwesinger going to the Commanders at No. 61 in the second round. Most mock drafts have him going in the second round, but not that late. Few have Schwesinger going in the first round.
Here’s NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on Schwesinger:
Schwesinger went from walk-on to All-American at UCLA. He’s a human bloodhound, pairing elite instincts with an understanding of blocking schemes and run tracks. The pursuit speed is average but his play recognition helps him play fast. He’s undersized and takes the worst of it when blockers get on top of him, but he’s a good athlete in coverage. He’s also a sound technician as an open-field tackler and bona fide standout on special teams. Schwesinger was a starter for only one season, but his instincts, athleticism and competitiveness help him project as a future starter either inside or as a 4-3 Will linebacker.
This is an encouraging scouting report on Schwesinger. And while Bobby Wagner is back for next season, the Commanders should have a succession plan. All good teams are prepared for the eventual departure of older players. It would be wise for Peters and head coach Dan Quinn to look for Wagner’s eventual replacement.
However, should that be in the first round? If Peters and Quinn believe he’s the best player on the board when the Commanders are on the clock, fans should trust their judgment. Remember, this isn’t Ron Rivera picking Jamin Davis and telling everyone he will be great because of his family’s military background. Peters and Quinn earned the benefit of the doubt last season.
Perhaps the Commanders could move down, add more selections, and pick Schwesinger. How would you feel then? There are a lot of questions regarding this draft class, and Thursday’s first round could be wild. Brace yourself.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Could the Commanders make a surprise pick in first round of NFL draft?
What if the Washington Commanders surprised everyone and used a first-round pick on a position no one expected?
The 2025 NFL draft kicks off Thursday in Green Bay, and the Commanders are not on the clock until No. 29 overall. Mock drafts are all over the place for Washington. Most believe the Commanders will select an edge rusher, while several suggest an offensive lineman, and others are split between a cornerback, wide receiver, or running back.
What if general manager Adam Peters shocks everyone and selects a linebacker?
In his latest draft intel for ESPN, NFL insider Adam Schefter reveals what he’s hearing and suggests a surprise for the Commanders at No. 29: UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger, projected by many as a Day 2 pick, has a chance to go in the end of Round 1 to a team such as the Commanders (No. 29) or Bills (No. 30) that might be looking for additional defensive help.
In a mock draft over the weekend, we had Schwesinger going to the Commanders at No. 61 in the second round. Most mock drafts have him going in the second round, but not that late. Few have Schwesinger going in the first round.
Here’s NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on Schwesinger:
Schwesinger went from walk-on to All-American at UCLA. He’s a human bloodhound, pairing elite instincts with an understanding of blocking schemes and run tracks. The pursuit speed is average but his play recognition helps him play fast. He’s undersized and takes the worst of it when blockers get on top of him, but he’s a good athlete in coverage. He’s also a sound technician as an open-field tackler and bona fide standout on special teams. Schwesinger was a starter for only one season, but his instincts, athleticism and competitiveness help him project as a future starter either inside or as a 4-3 Will linebacker.
This is an encouraging scouting report on Schwesinger. And while Bobby Wagner is back for next season, the Commanders should have a succession plan. All good teams are prepared for the eventual departure of older players. It would be wise for Peters and head coach Dan Quinn to look for Wagner’s eventual replacement.
However, should that be in the first round? If Peters and Quinn believe he’s the best player on the board when the Commanders are on the clock, fans should trust their judgment. Remember, this isn’t Ron Rivera picking Jamin Davis and telling everyone he will be great because of his family’s military background. Peters and Quinn earned the benefit of the doubt last season.
Perhaps the Commanders could move down, add more selections, and pick Schwesinger. How would you feel then? There are a lot of questions regarding this draft class, and Thursday’s first round could be wild. Brace yourself.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Could the Commanders make a surprise pick in first round of NFL draft?
