Taking Command Of The Future – Washington Commanders Draft Profile

Washington has been in flux in more than one way over the past couple of seasons.

They made a coaching change, dropped their original team name, played under a generic name and now have a new team name. With all this change has come a renewed attitude and culture for the team and their players.

This year the Commanders Will look to build on that attitude and put a winner out on the field. With only six picks they will have to hit on all of their selections, which isn’t hard in one of the deepest drafts in years. Here is how they could make a splash on draft weekend:

 

Day 1

Round 1, Pick 11: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

The Commanders are not devoid of talent at the receiver position but with the addition of new quarterback Carson Wentz, they need to get more in that room. A dynamic receiver like Garrett Wilson could be there for the taking at #11.

Wilson is on of the best in this year’s draft and for good reason. He is a flyer and has excellent hands, similar to another Ohio State product on the roster in Terry McLaurin. Pairing those two up will make defenses have to respect the pass and open up the run game for Washington. Also, with the speed both possess it could create an opportunity for Wentz to show his deep ball talent.

 

Day 2

Round 2, Pick 10: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada

Round 3, Pick 9: Rasheed Walker, OL, Penn State

With only two picks on day two the Commanders should target their future and one of the biggest holes on the team.

Even though Wentz is the starter for now, Washington needs to find their future signal caller or as some would say “get their guy.” Carson Strong is a very good QB with excellent skills under center. He has the touch to get it over linebackers across the middle and the accuracy to pinpoint receivers on timing routes. His most coveted quality is how he operates in the pocket and never takes more than the defense gives him, which bodes well for him at the next level.

Walker is a solid tackle with great feet and hands at his size. He routinely stuffs pass rushers with his hands and slides with them rather than trying to muscle them. Some of his most impressive tape is against Chase Young in 2019 where Young just couldn’t get around this mountain. Washington taking Walker would give them a bookend tackle to protect Wentz but also would have him there to protect Strong as well.

 

Day 3

Round 4, Pick 8: Jamaree Salyer, OL, Georgia

Round 6, Pick 10: Damerion Williams, CB, Houston

Round 7, Pick 9: Joey Blount, Safety, Virginia

Talent wise day three for Washington could yield some quality players, the only issues is they would take a couple of years to truly blossom into key contributors.

Players like Williams and Blount could play early but the growing pains would definitely be something to keep an eye on. Blount has NFL pedigree being the son of former New York Giants safety Tony Blount. He is an aggressive safety with good coverage skills but can sometimes be caught with his eyes in the backfield. He does diagnose the run very well and takes very direct angles to get to the ball carrier. He would be a welcome addition to a young secondary in Washington.

Williams is a young defensive back with all the elite skills to be a lockdown corner at the next level. His only flaw is that he doesn’t get his hands on many interceptions, only tallying three his entire college career. He is a tenacious tackler though and that will bode well for him and his chances at making the roster.

The most underrated pick that Washington could take is Jamaree Salyer. He isn’t the sexy pick but he fills a need at interior offensive lineman. Salyer is cut from the old school, hog-molly cloth that can clear the trenches with ease. He would be a perfect heir to Brandon Scherff and the void he left in free agency and would allow Washington to flourish on offense. 

This draft could continue the ascension of Washington and move them into the future.