Commanders mock draft 1.0: Linemen, offensive playmaker targeted early

Among the most intriguing NFL offseason questions: Will the Washington Commanders push all in with quarterback Jayden Daniels on a rookie contract or stay with the pre-planned methodical approach through the draft? That such a debate exists seemed inconceivable at this time last year when Adam Peters became Washingtons general manager.

Then came the surprising 12-win regular season and run to the NFC Championship Game.

Those who caught up with the Commanders fairy tale story in the playoffs might be surprised to learn that the roster isnt fully formed.

Peters needs to stack long-term pieces around Daniels.

Washington finished last season as the seventh-oldest roster.

That standing could change dramatically depending on which of its 28 free agents return and whether Peters is willing to trade away picks for more immediate help.

GO DEEPER How can Commanders catch the Eagles? The playoffs offered suggestions Washington has significant effective salary-cap space third most in the NFL at $68.5 million, per Over the Cap but only 46 players under contract, second fewest behind the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Commanders hold seven draft selections, starting with No.

29 overall in the first round, their second-round pick and the Miami Dolphins third-rounder.

Compensatory picks will alter slots for selections after the third round, though projections do not have the Commanders landing one.

Advertisement Defensive ends/linemen, running backs and tight ends are of interest, and those are among the more stocked positions this cycle.

Wide receivers would join that top group most years.

Weve reached a rare moment where this class of pass catchers is thin.

Offensive tackle is another down position, while cornerback is somewhere in between.

We know so much will change league-wide before the draft commences in late April.

The free-agency negotiating period starts on March 10, with signings allowed two days later.

The annual NFL Scouting Combine, a significant mile marker in the pre-draft process, comes later this month.

Teams also have not set their big boards yet.

Thats why this mock is more about highlighting Washingtons needs.

Round 1, No.

29: Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M The case for a first-round defensive end is straightforward: Washington ranked 30th against the run during the 2024 regular season, allowing 4.8 yards per carry, and then surrendered 531 rushing yards in three playoff games.

Teams found success attacking the perimeter.

Unlike inside with tackle Johnny Newton, no potential stud exists coming off the edge.

With Dante Fowler Jr.

and Clelin Ferrell entering free agency, Washingtons defensive end depth could take a hit.

Scourtons superpower is against the run, and Washington needs a stout competitor capable of setting a firm edge.

Targeting more of a pass rusher has merits, though Scourton had 15 sacks and 29 tackles for loss over his final two college seasons.

If Peters locks up line help in free agency, Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson and Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden are potential options late in Round 1.

GO DEEPER Commanders big board: 4 positions to consider in the first round Round 2, No.

61: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State The position isnt a screaming need.

The playmaking is.

While there are no significant qualms about sticking with the current combination, Brian Robinson Jr.s production faded as the season progressed, and the final year of Austin Ekelers contract isnt fully guaranteed.

Washington ranked third in rushes of 20 or more yards, but only nine were from Robinson or Ekeler.

The pair added 10 receptions of at least 20 yards with Ekeler, who missed five games with concussions, accounting for nine.

Advertisement The 5-foot-10, 208-pound Henderson checks one box for Peters he was a team captain for the Buckeyes and several more as an ideal read-option partner for Daniels.

From The Athletic s draft insider, Dane Brugler: Although his inside vision can get a little messy, Henderson can bounce laterally and smash the accelerator to sprint through voids or convert his speed to power as a finisher.

His impact on passing downs will help separate him in the running back stack he delivers thunderbolts into targets as a pass blocker and secures grabs away from his frame as a receiver, showing dynamic ability on option routes.

Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals, Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery and Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer are other prospects in the mid-to-late second-round range.

The TreVeyon Henderson screen TD was more than just speed and poor defensive design.

Texas FS Andrew Mukuba has the pursuit angle, but Henderson is so dang good in the open-field.

He anticipates the block of Hinzman #75 and then cuts behind it (all while at full speed).

pic.twitter.com/s1EYp3qe6W Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 11, 2025 Round 3, No.

79 (from Dolphins): Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College The Commanders are situated where both of last years starting tackles Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie could return to their familiar spots, or none of their top four tackles could play the position for Washington in 2025.

Whether the staff sees Coleman at left or right tackle or better off inside, whether they desire the cap savings with Wylies release or retain free-agent backups Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott, youth and upside are required to grow with Daniels.

The 6-foot-7, 321-pound Trapilo started three years for Boston College and played both tackle spots.

Washington logically would sign a veteran starter if Wylie exits, meaning Trapilo, another team captain in college, gets a year of seasoning with offensive line coach Bobby Johnson.

Advertisement Round 5, No.

148 (from Saints): Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State Put me down for the Commanders selecting a receiver in the first two rounds if the teams big board aligns with the available options.

Washington only has Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey under contract.

Re-signing two of its free agents (Olamide Zaccheaus and Noah Brown?) would help alleviate concerns, but quality veterans are on the market.

Like McCaffrey, Nash is a quarterback-turned-receiver.

The 6-foot-1 target spent three of his six seasons in the new position, and his significant development culminated in leading the Mountain West Conference last season in receptions, yards and touchdowns.

Round 6, No.

207: Connor Colby, G, Iowa Along with acquiring a potential future starting tackle, the Commanders need depth upgrades, a swing tackle unless Lucas re-signs and a likely right guard fill-in as Sam Cosmi recovers from ACL surgery.

Colbys resume suggests that the three-year starter at Iowa would help in those pursuits.

He played extensively at right guard the past two seasons three sacks allowed in over 1,400 snaps, per Pro Football Focus after spending a chunk of 2022 at right tackle.

GO DEEPER 2025 NFL Mock Draft: After Super Bowl LIX, how might first three rounds look? Round 7, No.

238 (from Broncos): Jaylin Smith, CB, USC Two of the secondarys five starter roles are unclear, with safety Jeremy Chinn and slot cornerback Noah Igbinoghene hitting free agency.

The same is valid for reserve corners Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis, though, unlike the previous pair, they are far less likely to be high-priority re-signings.

Another variable is whether the staff sees rising second-year cornerback Mike Sainristil playing outside or in the slot.

Targeting a player with Smiths versatility he played outside, slot and strong safety for the Trojans would cover the Commanders at multiple spots.

Round 7, No.

247: Camron Jackson, DT, Florida Only three tackles are under contract for Washington.

That includes potential salary-cap cut Jonathan Allen.

Free agents Sheldon Day and Jalyn Holmes are logical, cost-effective re-sign targets after joining the rotation last season.

Still, even if Allen and Daron Payne return, theres a decent chance neither is on the 2026 roster, so longer-term reinforcements are needed.

Jackson flashed his run-game chops at the Senior Bowl.

(Photo of TreVeyon Henderson: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.