2025 Washington Commanders Draft Profile

Team Needs: CB, WR, Tackle, HB

No one saw the Washington Commanders coming in 2024. After drafting rookie superstar Jayden Daniels the team saw major success in-route to a 12-5 record and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

Adam Peters and company have remade the Commanders franchise and will now look to build on their success this year. The draft has been the key to their ascension and this year should see them reach new heights.

 

Possible Targets

Nick Emmanwori – Safety, South Carolina

Ollie Gordon II – Halfback, Oklahoma State

Tai Felton – Wide Receiver, Maryland

 

Washington made a plethora of moves in the offseason, spending money to fill their roster with quality talent. Despite that, the team can still stand to find young upgrades to key positions. The secondary wasn’t the best last season but it was serviceable. The safety position took the biggest hit with Jeremy Chinn leaving, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they target a backend defender early on.

On of the freakiest athletes in the draft is South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. His 6’3” 227lb. frame makes him formidable physically, and it helps that he can move like a man half his size. Emmanwori plays with sense of physicality that is infectious to a team. He also has the capability of play centerfield and patrol the backend to take away the deep ball.

Taking a safety with such upside would serve as an instant upgrade for Washington. Dan Quinn is also very familiar with safeties that play like Emmanwori from his days of coaching Cam Chancellor.

Kliff Kingsbury did wonders with the offense last season and made the most of what he was given. The brass will need to improve certain areas, namely the wide receiver and halfback positions. Both are major components in Kingsbury’s scheme, so targeting them in the mid to late rounds should be a priority.

One of the best backs in the draft class is Oklahoma State standout Ollie Gordon II. His lackluster 2024 season saw him fall down boards, but that doesn’t take away from his top tier ability. Gordon II runs with a natural glide and is a load to bring down in the open field. He possesses excellent vision, hitting holes with good burst and pad level. He is also a good pass catcher,m allowing him to stay on the field all three downs.

Austin Ekeler isn’t getting any younger and Brian Robinson Jr. has just hit his stride as a back in the league. Gordon II could come in a usurp one or both in the rotation, and become the feature back behind Daniels.

The wide receiving room got a general boost after the team traded for Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. They lost two of their key contributors from last season, and will need a solid number two for the future. They could target one in the late rounds.

Washington could look in their backyard and take Maryland receiver Tai Felton to fill their young receiver role. Felton is a big-bodied speedster who can fit into any system. He has a high-IQ and is able to exploit the holes in zone coverage consistently. Pairing him with Terry McLaurin would give the Commanders two top tier do-it-all receivers on the outside.

The 2025 draft can be the what makes the Commanders a true championship contender and locks them into being dominant for years to come.