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[Washington Commanders]

Daily Slop - 14 Apr 25 - The Athletic immediately un-makes Commanders’ magic ‘24 season with 2024 re-draft

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Commanders links​

Articles​

The Athletic (paywall)​

Redrafting the 2024 NFL Draft: Jayden Daniels or Caleb Williams at No. 1?​

[W]elcome back to another redraft. This time, we’ll tackle the 2024 draft — one that definitely lived up to the hype in some areas, while also leaving a few teams wanting more.

(Note: The order reflects how it stood entering Round 1, thereby resetting some trades that shuffled the board.)

1. Chicago Bears: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU​

Original pick: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

It’d be almost impossible to say the Bears regret drafting Williams No. 1, as the rookie had a very productive first season and was playing better at the end of the year than the beginning. It’s literally impossible, though, to say another rookie QB outperformed Daniels. Now Washington’s franchise player, Daniels had one of the most poised and productive rookie seasons in NFL history.

2. Washington Commanders: Caleb Williams, QB, USC​

Original pick: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

The Bears finished Williams’ rookie year 5-12, but it wasn’t the quarterback’s fault. Williams set multiple franchise rookie records, including TD passes (20), passing yards (3,541), completions (351) and rushing yards (489). Chicago has no regrets. For our purpose here, though, Daniels was better.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU​

Original pick: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

We wrote (many times) last winter about how some NFL scouts believed Nabers was a better prospect than Harrison. At least for one season, those scouts were correct. Nabers set the NFL record for receptions in a season by a rookie (109) and totaled 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns, while playing with one of the worst QB situations in football.

6. New York Giants: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia​

Original pick: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

The Giants certainly hit the jackpot with Nabers, so it’s hard to say they should’ve done something else here. But he’s off the board this time around, so it’s Bowers. The tight end was the best rookie pass catcher in the history of the league last year, with a ridiculous 112-catch, 1,194-yard season, on a team without a true starting QB.

7. Tennessee Titans: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon​

Original pick: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Like the Giants, the Titans remain firmly in quarterback hell and still haven’t found a firm path out (although, Cam Ward’s probably coming soon). This is a team that really should’ve taken advantage of last year’s quarterback class, regardless of how it felt about an unproven Will Levis. Nix absolutely outperformed expectations last year in Denver and appears to have a bright future.

12. Denver Broncos: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State​

Original pick: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Fuaga had a terrific rookie season after being thrown into the fire at left tackle in New Orleans. There are still improvements to be made regarding Fuaga’s pass pro, but he had dominant flashes in the ground game as a rookie.

19. Los Angeles Rams: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo​

Original pick: Jared Verse, edge, Florida State

As expected, Mitchell immediately found his footing as an NFL cornerback and was one of the league’s best full-time starters, wire-to-wire — all the way through the Super Bowl. It was a great start for what looks like a great player.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson​

Original pick: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Wiggins proved to be another masterclass scouting job by the Ravens, who simply pick the best player on their board every time their name is called — and it almost always works out. The Clemson product was up and down early last season, but he settled in just before the midway point and never looked back, finishing with 10 forced incompletions and eight pass breakups.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State​

Original pick (traded to DET): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The Jets were very patient with Fashanu, who was light on experience in college, and wound up getting five solid starts from the former Penn State star to close the year. If his health cooperates and his development continues, Fashanu could be a huge part of the Jets’ future.

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Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)​

Mock Draft Monday: 3 Commanders Mock Drafts​

Breaking down 3 different mock draft scenarios for the Commanders

With the NFL Draft just 10 days away, I thought it’d be fun to start putting together some mock drafts for the Commanders. To do this, I tried a few different mock draft simulator machines that are available online. For today’s post, I settled on the Pro Football & Sports Network simulator, mainly because it had a free trade function. I set the machine to four rounds because I wanted to cover at least three picks and the Commanders don’t currently have a third round pick, so I extended it to four rounds. I don’t know many of the prospects available after that, so that’s why I’m not doing a full seven round mock draft. Here are the three scenarios I came up with, let me know your thoughts in the comments section!

Scenario 1 - No trades, best player available​

In the first scenario, I opted to decline all trade offers and just sit at the Commanders current picks, taking the best player available. Here’s the result.

First round, pick 29 - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State.

It might not be the most popular pick and it definitely isn’t the biggest need, but Josh Simmons could be one of the best talents available at pick 29. Most Commanders fans have looked away from the offensive line since the Laremy Tunsil trade, understandably, but Simmons is a very high upside tackle prospect with great size and athletic ability. Had he not suffered a knee injury midway through the season, he might have solidified himself as a top 10 pick. Obviously, the Commanders would have to be comfortable with that injury and the chance he could miss time to start the season, but we saw last year they were comfortable doing that with Johnny Newton to land what they felt was the best available talent.

Scenario 2 - Trade back with Bears, get lucky​

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Riggo’s Rag​

Commanders NFL Draft 2025: RB Ollie Gordon II Scouting Report​

The Commanders are looking to strengthen their running back room.

Of all the positional needs the Washington Commanders have heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, running back doesn’t figure to be a high priority.

All four backs who shared the ball in 2024 — Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. — are still on the roster. However, the recent emergence of the position in modern NFL offenses has some observers thinking Kliff Kingsbury might want more flexibility and production in the backfield.

Ollie Gordon II NFL Player Comparison: James Conner​

Gordon has yet to display the ruggedness of James Conner. Even so, his combination of size, speed, and receiving skills suggest a young player who could blossom into a solid RB1 in time or form part of a dynamic rotation.

If he can improve his pass protection, Gordon could be an ideal fit in a Kliff Kingsbury scheme, and has the tools to step into Robinson’s workhorse role should the Alabama graduate depart after 2025.

Ollie Gordon II 2025 Draft Grade: 3rd-4th Round​

Peters is missing picks in the middle rounds, where Gordon is likely to be drafted. He makes sense if Washington swings a deal to move back early and pick up additional mid-round selections.

The Commanders reportedly have had multiple meetings with the Oklahoma State back, so he appears to be very much on Peters’ radar.

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Commanders Wire​

Commanders land surprising cornerback in new NBC mock draft​

A couple of days ago, the Sunday Night crew of Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, and Jac Collinsworth took turns alternating selections in their own first-round 2025 mock draft.

No. 29 Washington Commanders CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

JC: “Had he been healthy this year, I think he would have been a top-ten pick. He had a hip injury and missed their run to the playoffs and national championship game. Big physical guy, NFL bloodlines...”

TD: “This is where these guys go in the draft. They are guys that have high first-round talent, but something happened, injuries, style of defense, etc.”

RH: “I was a little surprised you didn’t go safety Xavier Watts, Notre Dame, because Jeremy Chinn left and they still need help at the safety position. The guy has tremendous instincts; he tackles well. He is just a playmaker, reads things before they happen.”

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Podcasts & videos​

Episode 1,049 - Josh Johnson having been on 14 NFL teams isn't a punchline. It's a credit to him. I discuss the Commanders signing him, including his admirable 2018 run with the Skins.

Worried about the Caps?
Wizards conclude tanking season with a WIN(?!)https://t.co/yMdiv7S1Vk

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) April 14, 2025​

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NFC East links​

NFL.com​

Cowboys, Saints start offseason work on Monday​

The Cowboys and Saints will get the ball rolling on the 2025 season. Five other teams with new head coaches got to work last week and the rest of the league will be able to begin their programs next week.

Monday’s work will be the first that the Cowboys have done since Brian Schottenheimer was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach and it will unfold at the same time that star defensive end Micah Parsons is working on a new contract with the team. It’s voluntary work, but the way that Parsons handles his participation will be something to watch until there’s some resolution on that front.

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Pro Football Talk​

Russell Wilson has started working with his Giants teammates​

Wilson shared photos from a workout at Georgia Tech to his Instagram story and it shows that he’s working with three of his targets. Wide receivers Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson joined tight end Theo Johnson at the session with Wilson.

Wilson’s last three seasons created plenty of doubt about his ability to be the kind of quarterback the Giants need to turn their fortunes around, but his bid to do so will only be helped by getting on the same page as his receivers as quickly as possible.

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Blogging the Boys​

Shedeur spin move​

There was a time when Deion Sanders said flatly that his son, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders would “for sure” be selected in the top three of the NFL Draft.

That was in the wayback days when Sanders was only going to visit with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants — the teams with the top three picks.

Now, Sanders has taken a visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers (picking No. 21) and will visit the Las Vegas Raiders (picking No. 6). And his camp, through willing intermediary Louis Riddick of ESPN, is broadcasting the idea that Sanders doesn’t want to go to the top three teams, anyway.

Yeah, right.

There was debate in the comments when I wrote the Sanders post earlier in the week about whether this was just Riddick talking, or whether this was Riddick delivering a message from the Sanders camp. I fully believe the latter.

As talented as Shedeur is, examples like this are part of the reason I have been in the ‘don’t draft Shedeur’ camp. When something doesn’t go the young man’s way, there is always the potential for Prime Time to use his platform and blame everyone else — the coach, the team, the organization he plays for — and try to absolve Shedeur.

A coach and GM fighting for their jobs and without the cachet to control that distraction don’t need the headache.

One thing I need to add: This actually isn’t about Shedeur. He’s always smiling in interviews I see. He seems polite. He seems grounded. He seems to have his priorities in order. He will likely be a good NFL quarterback.

It’s about what comes with him.

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Pro Football Talk​

Will Campbell the betting favorite to go No. 4 overall in 2025 NFL draft​

LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell has emerged as the betting favorite to be the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Campbell is now a -155 favoite to be taken with the fourth overall pick. The betting odds have Miami quarterback Cam Ward an overwhelming favorite to go first overall, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter favored to go second, and Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter favored to go third.

The Patriots own the fourth overall pick and are looking to bolster the offensive line to protect last year’s first-round pick, quarterback Drake Maye.

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NFL league links​

Articles​

ESPN​

With Flacco signing, Browns in position to forgo QB at No. 2 in draft​

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday morning that the Browns and Joe Flacco reached agreement on a one-year, $4 million deal that could reach $13 million with incentives. The move brings Flacco back to Cleveland, where he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023 and helped lead the Browns to the playoffs amid quarterback turmoil.

Flacco threw for over 300 yards in four straight wins — the Browns went 4-1 in his five regular-season starts — before the run came to an end in a loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.

With the Tennessee Titans likely to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick — Schefter reported after his Pro Day that the Titans have become increasingly impressed with him — Hunter has become the betting favorite to be the Browns’ first selection. ESPN’s Draft Predictor gives Hunter more than a 40% chance to be Cleveland’s pick. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter has more than a 30% chance to be the selection, while Hunter’s teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, has an 11% chance to be the pick.

“It would be great if we could get ‘the quarterback,’ but we’re not going to force it,” Haslam said. “We’re going to be patient and we’re going to try to accumulate as many really good football players as we can.”

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NFL.com​

Seahawks GM John Schneider: ‘I’d be careful’ when you hear it’s not a great draft for QBs​

Last week, during his radio show, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider pushed back on the notion that it might be a weak QB class overall.

“I’d be careful when you hear people say this isn’t a great draft [for quarterbacks],” he said, via the team’s official website. “I think it depends on the team, the player, the quarterback, how you’re going to acquire him, where you’re going to acquire him.”

The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold this offseason after trading away Geno Smith. The Darnold contract, however, gives the club an out next year if things don’t go as planned. The signing of Drew Lock as a backup and the presence of Sam Howell gives the Seahawks a pretty stocked QB room. It’s probably not a position Schneider will look to add early in the draft, but in those middle or later rounds, it could be a consideration — particularly if he genuinely believes that it could be a deep draft at quarterback.

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Discussion topics​

Front Office Sports​

Iamaleava Departure Exposes Cracks in NIL Era As Criticism Mounts​

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s departure over an NIL dispute is causing some strong reactions from coaches and other college football insiders.

In the aftermath of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the Volunteers football program parting ways due to an NIL (name, image, and likeness) dispute, most of the college football world is siding with the school, not the player.

Fox’s No. 1 college football TV analyst Joel Klatt called the Tennessee–Iamaleava “wild and yet totally predictable!”

“Of course this was going to happen when there are no guard rails and rules to govern the business and movement of the sports players,” Klatt tweeted. “You may not like what Nico is doing but it is certainly his right.”

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote, “The disruptiveness of moves like Nico’s—when it happened, how many people and teams it could impact—should be an inflection point for CFB, but probably won’t be. We’ll get another set of complaints, pleas to congress, and nothing will change. Rinse and repeat.”

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All aTwitter​

The countdown is on @SeatGeek | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/7DjiNW4HD5

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 13, 2025​

The official recognition and improved compensation of the Nickel/Slot CB reflects the importance of the 3rd corner. With teams operating primarily out of “11” personnel, the need for a 3rd CB on the field with a specific set of skills needed to play inside has forced teams to… https://t.co/PYSqHafooq

— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) April 13, 2025​

Now that I’m through them all, I can say this.

A lot of the top running backs in this class are brilliant runners, but my goodness they are terrible in pass protection.

How can you be so violent when delivering a blow, and so passive when taking one? I don’t get it.

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) April 13, 2025​

Jeanty came out to an 81 on my scale, and both Hampton and Henderson were at 80, for what it's worth.

If Raiders passed on Ashton to get something else and then traded back into the 1st round to get Chip's guy, I would get it.

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) April 14, 2025​

Former LSU WR Kyren Lacy, who was found dead Saturday in Houston, died in an apparent suicide in his car while being pursued by authorities, according to a Harrison County sheriff's report.

Content warning: This post includes discussion of suicide.

More: https://t.co/bwnSFgbrjS pic.twitter.com/YdWnC9Ppul

— ESPN (@espn) April 14, 2025​

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or at https://t.co/HfZjuMH2YE.

— ESPN (@espn) April 14, 2025​

Kyren Lacy’s father pic.twitter.com/j0C67yFVSD

— Forever Trill (@mccauley318) April 13, 2025​

posting a photo from last season every day until OTAs pic.twitter.com/x2548VWWol

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 13, 2025​

You just had to be there
pic.twitter.com/wxMpyKoMYX

— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) April 12, 2025​

Der Gestürzte, by Wilhelm Lehmbruck, 1915-16, by @rheathcote pic.twitter.com/n0I5iBZ9Q6

— ArtButMakeItSports (@ArtButSports) April 13, 2025​

We’re not crying, you’re crying

pic.twitter.com/6PR49WPN9k

— PFSN (@PFN365) April 13, 2025​

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/14...commanders-magic-24-season-with-2024-re-draft

 

[Washington Commanders]

Some potential draft scenarios for the Commanders in round one - What is your move?

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The offseason can be a boring time for some football fans. For others, free agency and the draft can happily occupy months until we get to see players on the field. I am a draft guy and love to scout collegiate prospects for potential fits on Washington’s football team. I put in countless hours per week watching film, listening to podcasts, talking with contacts and playing with the mock draft simulators.

I always like to view other mock drafts out there and compare them to how I would like to see things play out for the Commanders. It’s a futile exercise, but I have fun doing it - and hopefully it can educate our fan base on some prospects you may not be familiar with.

Below I put together a fun, interactive exercise that will hopefully get the comment section flowing. I have given you four different draft scenarios with our top pick. I used my own big board, then ran some sims on Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator to come up with what you see below. The simulator was just a tool I used for guidance, so that, combined with what you see in my notes, is how I arrived at each scenario.

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Scenario 1:​

Washington is on the clock at pick 29, and there is no enticing trade-back offer. Here are the prospects who are available who fit the value vs. need approach:

• Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M (projected top 20 pick who slipped)
• Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (projected top 20 pick who slipped due to medicals)
• Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
• Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
• Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
• TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State

*Note: Top 3 wide receivers (McMillian, Golden and Egbuka) are all off the board. Top offensive tackles (Campbell, Membou, Banks and Simmons) have all been selected. Jeanty and Hampton have both been drafted and the top projected cornerbacks (Hunter, Barron and Johnson) are gone.

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Scenario 2: ​

Washington is on the clock at pick 29, and there is no enticing trade-back offer. Here are the prospects who are available who fit the value vs. need approach:

• Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (projected top 20 pick who slipped due to medicals)
• Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
• Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
• Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC
• Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall (off-field concerns)
• TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

*Note: Simmons, who is doing well in his rehab, is still a question mark as to whether he will be ready for camp. There was a run on EDGE prospects, and the top ones, including Ezeiruaku, have all been drafted. Green remains on the board presumably for some off-field concerns. Maxwell Hairston just went two picks before we were on the clock.

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Scenario 3: ​

Washington is on the clock at pick 29, and there is a trade offer from the Saints, who offered pick 40 and 71 to move up to 29. New Orleans drafted Will Johnson with the 9th pick and they are rumored to be targeting quarterback Jaxson Dart at 29. Here are the prospects who are available who fit the value vs. need approach:

• Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC
• Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
• Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
• TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
• Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
• Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon

*Note: The assumption here is that the players listed above will all be gone by pick 40. It’s impossible to project who will still be there at number 40, but most likely looking at an EDGE like Landon Jackson, a receiver like Jayden Higgins, a corner back like Benjamin Morrison (who has some injury concerns) and Azareye’h Thomas, and some safeties like Kevin Winston Jr. and Xavier Watts.

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Scenario 4:​

Washington is on the clock at pick 29, and there is a trade offer from the Browns, who offered pick 33 and 67 to move up to 29. The Browns drafted Travis Hunter at pick number two. They are looking to move back into the first round to take Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons, who has slipped a bit due to medicals. Here are the prospects who are available who fit the value vs. need approach:

Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon

Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss

*Note: The trade offer is enticing, but there are two premier options still on the board here. If we make the trade, Simmons will be gone. Emmanwori will go to Buffalo or Kansas City and the Eagles will be all over Ezeiruaku at number 32. Henderson and Conerly will still likely be on the board at 33, and there are some corners and wide receivers who could offer good value.

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I look forward to reading your comments below.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/14...ton-commanders-in-round-one-what-is-your-move

 

[Washington Commanders]

Daily Slop - 15 Apr 25 - Commanders are hosting more than 20 prospects on top-30 visits today

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Commanders links​

Articles​

The Athletic (paywall)​

Washington Commanders NFL Draft 2025 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs​

Commanders’ key positions of need​

Edge rusher: The Commanders ranked 30th against the run last season, with opponents finding big plays on the edge. Washington targeted help in free agency and perhaps found interesting run defender pieces in Deatrich Wise Jr. and Kinlaw. However, the position needs more youth and pass rushers.

Defensive back: The Commanders need cornerback depth, even if Marshon Lattimore rebounds after a trying half-season debut and Jones contributes outside or in the slot, depending on where Washington deploys Mike Sainristil.

Running back/playmaker: Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury tactically maximized his options last season. More talent was required even before receivers Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus exited in free agency. Samuel and Michael Gallup are the only new options acquired, and while Samuel will occasionally play out of the backfield, Washington could use more breakaway ability in the running back room or elsewhere.

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Commanders.com​

Omarion Hampton could give Commanders ‘serious horsepower’​

The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.

This week, Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and Charles McDonald have the Commanders taking one of the best running backs in a deep class.

Omarion Hampton being 100th percentile in yards after contact is amazing. also is very explosive (both on the field and with his combine testing) pic.twitter.com/PUqzL1Q8ox

— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) April 8, 2025

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina​

For all the positions the Washington Commanders could address with the 29th pick, running back is seemingly low on the list. The group is mostly unchanged with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler at the top of the depth chart, and it fueled the team’s dominant rushing attack throughout the regular season.

But drafting for need is not general Adam Peters’ style. The Commanders want to fill their roster with good players, regardless of their position, in order to be as dynamic and explosive on both sides of the ball as possible. So, even though the draft is considered deep with talented running backs, it might make sense to take one of the best on the board.

Tice and McDonald certainly think so, which is why they have the Commanders taking Hampton out of UNC.

“This might feel like a luxury pick given the Commanders’ needs elsewhere, but they would have some serious horsepower on offense with the addition of Hampton,” Tice and McDonald wrote. “He has been a star of the draft process coming off the backs of a dominant season running the ball for UNC.”

Hampton was so dominant that there’s only a handful of players in UNC history who had better stints with the Tar Heels. He has the fourth-most career rushing yards (3,565) to go with 36 rushing touchdowns, which ranks third in program history. He has two of the school’s top 10 single-season performances in all-purpose yards, including a program-best 2,033 yards last season.

[A]s NBC’s Connor Rogers suggested in his mock draft, there could be an early run on other positions that would push Hampton down the order.

Regardless of the reason, many analysts have Hampton sliding in the draft far enough for the Commanders to take him.

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Riggo’s Rag​

Dream home-run Commanders trade option just fell into Adam Peters’ lap​

If the Commanders weren’t all-in already, they would be after this.

According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero from the NFL Network, the Miami Dolphins are looking to part ways with All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The respected insiders revealed that both parties are working on a potential transaction, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him land elsewhere in the coming days or weeks.

Commanders should inquire about potential Jalen Ramsey trade compensation​

This is a stunning development. The Dolphins might have struggled of late, but Ramsey remains one of the league’s best corners. His coverage capabilities are elite, and the player’s ability against the run is something else that could help the Commanders enormously in this scenario.

Miami has already paid Ramsey his $4 million roster bonus. This means that any team willing to come forward will take on around $21.1 million on his contract next season. It might be a step too far for Washington, but it wouldn’t hurt to place a call to find out one way or another.

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Pro Football Talk​

A pre-June 1 Jalen Ramsey trade would trigger a $25.213 million dead-money charge​

Last September, the Dolphins rushed to give cornerback Jalen Ramsey a contract with a new-money average of $24.1 million, days after the Broncos made cornerback Patrick Surtain II the highest-paid cornerback with a new-money average of $24 million.

Fewer than eight months later, the Dolphins are looking to trade Ramsey.

Which means they never should have given him his latest contract.

A trade will have significant consequences. Based on the terms of his contract from last year — and the existing proration from the prior deal — a trade before June 1 will trigger a $25.213 million dead-money charge.

Ramsey has already received a $4 million roster bonus on March 16. The best time to trade him would have been before that bill came due.

Ramsey also has a fully-guaranteed option bonus for 2025, in the amount of $18.98 million. The new team would be on the hook for that payment, along with a fully-guaranteed base salary for 2025 of $1.255 million. That’s $20.153 million for a 31-year-old cornerback whose best days are in the rear-view mirror.

It makes for a tough sell. The Dolphins may have to pay some of that $20.153 million to make a trade happen.

They’re going to pay it anyway, thanks to a contract that seemed like a stretch at the time and that now can fairly be called ill-advised.

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Podcasts & videos​

18 minutes of Commanders draft talk with me, @Mitch_Tischler and @thorku. Enjoy. https://t.co/hncrpzqSxW

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 14, 2025​

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NFC East links​

Barstool Sports​

Former GM Mike Tannenbaum Is Basically Saying There’s A Massive Dispute Inside The Giants Front Office Over Drafting Shedeur Sanders​

When this happens so late in the process either there’s a big disagreement in their building on their evaluation or their reacting to new information https://t.co/qOyHLD0xvr

— Mike Tannenbaum (@RealTannenbaum) April 15, 2025

Let’s be very clear, there is likely a dispute in the front office because John Mara’s old bag of bones still thinks he knows football and has his moron brother running around, despite trying to tell us Chris doesn’t do this anymore

Of course there’s going to be a dispute. You had John Mara come out and publicly say that Daboll/Schoen need to win this year or they are fired. They are now making short term moves to try and save their jobs instead of whatever is better for the franchise. John Mara is too dumb to realize that he’s driving the organization into the ground with this line of thinking and the fact that he’s gone through GM’s and coaches year after year.

[T]here’s just no way I can see the Giants picking outside the top-5 next year too. I’m sure they’ll win a game or two late that’s pointless and put ourselves back in this spot, but just take Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, whoever is sitting at 3 right there.

So, yeah, no shit the Giants are meeting with a quarterback who will be sitting there at 3. It makes sense to do so. It doesn’t make sense to blindly take him though

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NFL league links​

Articles​

Commanders Wire​

NFL announces 17 players to attend 2025 draft​

The NFL announced the 17 players, some of whom are expected to go among the first few picks, such as quarterback Cam Ward, cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and edge rusher Abdul Carter. The NFL was careful only to invite the players it believes will go in the first round, so there are no embarrassing situations where a player is left waiting in the green room alone.

The NFL announced that 17 players will be in Green Bay for the draft. The betting odds say 16 of those players are likely first-round picks, but that Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is not. https://t.co/hD7kmyKLvr

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 15, 2025​

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Discussion topics​

Fox Sports​

Trade bait! One player from all 32 teams who could be dealt around the NFL Draft​

Dallas Cowboys: LB Micah Parsons​

He is arguably the best defensive player in football and the Cowboys say they intend to give him the massive contract he deserves … eventually. But every day they delay that seemingly inevitable outcome adds to the persistent murmurs that Dallas might deal him instead. The haul would be enormous. It would have to include multiple first-round picks, including at least one that’s pretty high, and possibly players, too. Dealing him might be raising a white flag on the 2025 season, but the king’s ransom in return could set them up for years to come.

Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Travis Etienne​

He ran for just 558 yards last season and was passed on the depth chart by Tank Bigsby. But he’s also a 26-year-old former first-round pick who ran for 1,000 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons and caught 58 passes two years ago, too. He’d cost his new team $6.1 million, which is a lot considering what happened last season. But he’ll be a free agent in March and sure looks like a player who might thrive with a change of scenery.

Las Vegas Raiders: TE Michael Mayer​

He’s a former second-round pick who’s had 48 catches for 460 yards in two seasons, which isn’t bad considering he’s only been targeted 72 times. In Las Vegas, that number won’t increase now that Brock Browers has quickly become a star. Bowers was targeted 153 times last year alone (112-1,194-5) and that’s not likely to change. So, while Mayer is a good backup, he’s also 24 years old and is signed for two more seasons. He’s good, cheap talent and if the Raiders were willing to deal him, they might be able to get a mid-round pick back, at least.

Los Angeles Rams: S Kam Curl​

The Rams’ pass defense wasn’t good last season and their secondary was a big reason why. Curl clearly didn’t have the impact many expected he’d have when he came over from Washington. But the Rams got Curl cheap, signing him to a surprisingly low two-year, $9 million deal, which makes him very tradeable.

New York Giants: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux​

Trading a 25-year-old pass rusher who had 11.5 sacks two years ago wouldn’t make a lot of sense for a rebuilding team … unless it knows it’s got a replacement ready. So, this really depends on whether the Giants end up drafting Penn State’s Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick. If they do, they might conclude that they’re not going to pay Thibodeaux big money when his contract expires after the season (or after 2026, if they pick up his fifth-year option), especially when they’ve already got huge money committed to DE Brian Burns and DT Dexter Lawrence. It might hurt them in the short term, but a deal could be a long-term help because a player like Thibodeaux could bring multiple premium draft picks in return.

Philadelphia Eagles: TE Dallas Goedert​

He can be one of the NFL’s best tight ends when he’s healthy, but there’s a significant block of games every year when he’s just not. He could still help the Eagles as they try to defend their Super Bowl title, but he’s also 30, heading toward free agency after the season, and GM Howie Roseman is always trying to stay one step ahead. If he can get a decent pick for Goedert and then replace him in the draft, he’ll have already prepared the Eagles for the future.

Washington Commanders: WR Noah Brown​

He’s a really good veteran receiver to have on the roster, and he feels like a lock for 30 catches and 450-plus yards every year. But he’s expendable now that the Commanders traded for Deebo Samuel. Plus, clearing him out makes room for Luke McCaffrey, last year’s third-rounder, to emerge as the No. 3 receiver. The Commanders also signed Michael Gallup, so they’re pretty loaded at this position. Plenty of teams would love a reliable veteran to fill their No. 3 role, just like the Commanders were when they acquired him [after he was released by] Houston last August.

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Front Office Sports​

Explosive Brett Favre Netflix Doc Is Cautionary Tale of Fame​

A new Netflix documentary pulls back the curtain on Favre’s pursuit of Jenn Sterger and his involvement in the Mississippi welfare case.

[Brett Favre’s] story is explored in a compelling new tell-all documentary from Netflix’s Untold documentary series called The Fall of Favre.

Once his hard-nosed father Irv died in 2003, Favre had nobody to tell him “no.” Slowly, he began to go off the rails. As former Packers beat writer Dylan Tomlinson recalls: “My editor pulled me aside and said, ‘I want you to write the story of Brett Favre as a family man.’ I said, ‘I don’t write fiction.’”

Then there was the Jets quarterback who sexually harassed team host Jenn Sterger during the 2008 season–only one year after being named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year.”

‘My Life Was Ruined’​

Sterger, the ex-Florida State student who surged to overnight fame after ABC’s Brent Musberger singled her out during a telecast, comes off sympathetically. After cashing in by modeling for Playboy and Maxim, Sterger landed media gigs with SI.com, then the Jets. She dreamed of being the next Erin Andrews or Suzy Kolber.

But when Favre arrived in the Big Apple he took notice of Gang Green’s new personality (who looked like his wife Deanna Favre). Favre reached out through a third party to try to get together. She said no. He switched to text messages, offering to send a car to bring him to his hotel. She kept saying no. Then came the infamous voicemail invitations to come to his room. She ignored them. Finally, he sent X-rated pictures of his private parts to an anxious Sterger. She didn’t know where to turn.

The peripatetic Favre left the Jets for the Vikings in 2009. But the Jets declined to renew Sterger’s contract. Her nightmarish story didn’t end there. Against her wishes, Deadspin broke the Favre-Sterger story in 2010; the site’s editor A.J. Daulerio later apologized to Sterger and calls himself a “scumbag” for breaking the story. Her chances of a sports media career went up in smoke.

“My life was ruined, and he went to the Hall of Fame,” Sterger says ruefully.

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All aTwitter​

Ahead of the NFL Draft talking w @Jordan_Reid: "For Washington's sake they need to figure out how to maximize Jayden Daniels, he's not going to be cheap forever...They can sit and wait and let the board fall to them. They dont need to be locked into one position."

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 15, 2025​

Source: Oregon LT Josh Conerly Jr. is visiting the #Bengals today and the #Commanders tomorrow.

He has also visited the #Texans, #Saints and #Falcons. Conerly Jr. is considered a likely 1st-round pick. pic.twitter.com/V6ejJbOb4v

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 14, 2025​

The more I’ve studied this edge class, the more I keep coming back to Ezeiruaku as the guy I like most for the Commanders, if he lasts to 29. https://t.co/l8wV14HAC0

— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) April 14, 2025​

Sources: Commanders are bringing in several prospects for "30" visits on Tuesday. Those expected include:

RB Ollie Gordon
OT Josh Conerly
OT Anthony Belton
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku
CB Maxwell Hairston
CB Quincy Riley

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 14, 2025​

Players in Ashburn today for a Top 30 visit:

Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE/Edge, Boston College
Car'lin Vigers, CB, Louisiana-Monroe Monroe
Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
Jaylin Smith, CB, Southern Cal
Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
Anthony Belton, OT,…

— Ken Johannesen (@BurgundyBurner) April 15, 2025​

The Commanders are hosting more than 20 prospects on top-30 visits today, per source (1st by @BenStandig). Hairston and Riley are among them. https://t.co/I7xXBU3Z33

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 15, 2025​

Good cornerback class if you like zone pic.twitter.com/i0hL8HxRZ6

— Football Insights (@fball_insights) April 15, 2025​

What Travis Hunter would say if an NFL team made him choose CB or WR:

“It’s never playing football again. Because I've been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it." https://t.co/aewsn4C1S8

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 15, 2025​

.@Browns HC Kevin Stefanski found out just how competitive Abdul Carter is #HeyRookie pic.twitter.com/VA4LXsc4Vu

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) April 15, 2025​

Wild: There aren’t many coaches or scouts who view Shedeur Sanders as a first-round talent, per @AlbertBreer

“I’m hearing that he isn’t a great athlete on tape, doesn’t have exceptional arm talent, and too often does things that simply won’t translate to the NFL game.”… pic.twitter.com/1cHSGvUikG

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 15, 2025​

With the 2025 NFL Draft just around the corner, Charles Davis provides his annual rundown of prospects he would pound the table for. The 12-player list predominantly highlights potential middle- and late-round diamonds in the rough.https://t.co/b3f9HPIUV0 pic.twitter.com/05NqmvlouY

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 15, 2025​

“He’s a really gifted kid…

…in some ways he's the prototypical quarterback that everybody's looking for…”@GregCosell breaks down former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava: pic.twitter.com/CRtLhJEpQt

— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 15, 2025​

The quarterback I have heard being discussed in NFL circles more than any other lately is Louisville's Tyler Shough.

What I'm hearing, and how it could affect his draft stock, on Scoop City: pic.twitter.com/zP7PUsUSNm

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 15, 2025​

How many picks does your team have in the 2025 #NFLDraft? pic.twitter.com/wFNUbs2508

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) April 14, 2025​

Small expert consensus board update.

Not too many big changes.

Top-100 released next week. pic.twitter.com/YmszHDlY9e

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 15, 2025​

The #Dolphins and star CB Jalen Ramsey have mutually agreed to explore trade options, per @RapSheet early this morning.

Miami signed Ramsey to a 3-year, $72M extension with $24M guaranteed in September.

His career stats with Miami:

• 2 seasons (27 games)
• 82 tackles
• 16… pic.twitter.com/oTLqOC5wfg

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) April 15, 2025​

Jayden Daniels is having the time of his life at Brandon Aiyuk’s wedding celebration pic.twitter.com/uVriY8yRcu

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) April 13, 2025​

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/15...more-than-20-prospects-on-top-30-visits-today

 

[Washington Commanders]

Josaiah Stewart Might Be Undersized, but He’d Be an Explosive Addition to the Commanders

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Josaiah Stewert, EDGE
School: MIchigan | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Senior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6’1” / 249 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd-3rd Round

Player Comparison: Yannick Ngakoue

College Statistics​

Tackles	Def Interceptions	Fumbles
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Solo	Ast	Comb	TFL	Sk	Int	Yds	IntTD	PD	FR	Yds	FRTD	FF	Awards
2021*	Coastal Carolina	Sun Belt	FR	DT	13	24	19	43	16	12.5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
2022*	Coastal Carolina	Sun Belt	SO	LB	12	15	21	36	10	3.5	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1
2023*	Michigan	Big Ten	SO	DE	15	23	15	38	9	5.5	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
2024*	Michigan	Big Ten	SR	DE	11	22	11	33	13	8.5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Career	51	84	66	150	48	30.0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	6
Coastal Carolina (2 Yrs)	25	39	40	79	26	16.0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	4
Michigan (2 Yrs)	26	45	26	71	22	14.0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2

Defense & Fumbles Table

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/14/2025.

Player Overview​

Born in the Bronx, Josaiah Stewart played high school football in Everett, Massachusetts. His high school football featured a few noteworthy players: Lewis Cine, Isaiah Likely, and most importantly - for a few reasons - Mike Sainristil. Stewart had a phenomenal junior season, but his senior season was cancelled due to the pandemic. A three-star recruit, he orginially committed to play at Boston College before flipping his commit and following Likely to Coastal Carolina.

Stewart splashed right away for the Chanticleers. The true freshman put up 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 43 tackles in arguably the program’s best season. He was named All-Sun Belt First Team and earned Freshman All-American honors at the end of the season. He cooled off his sophomore season, but was still a productive defender. When Stewart decided to enter the transfer portal after a season where he earned All-Sun Belt Second Team, former high school teammate Mike Sainristil suggested to his coaches that Michigan add him. Stewart transferred to the Wolverines and his play helped them to a National Championshp. With Sainristil and several other national champs in the NFL, Stewart was named a team captain. The Wolverines struggled; however, Stewart had his most productive season while in Michigan. He was named All-Big Ten Second Team in his final season.

Strengths​

• Quick off the snap and around the edge
• Strong enough to maintain rush path around the tackle
• Can convert speed to power and walk back tackles
• Quickness to shoot gaps into the backfield to stop run or rush passer
• Has ability to drop in coverage in the short to intermediate area
• Motor runs hot; doesn’t quit on plays

Weaknesses​

• Lack of length can make it hard for him to disengage from blocks
• Linear rusher that doesn’t show a lot bend in his rushes
• Needs to develop more pass rush moves and counters
• Questions of whether he can set the edge in the run game

Let’s See His Work​

2025 NFL Draft | EDGE Production Scores

All 80 GG scores are relative to drafted EDGEs from 2015-2024.

Abdul Carter - #1 overall to TEN?

Favorites:
James Pearce Jr.
Mike Green
Josaiah Stewart
David Walker

Lower on:
Shemar Stewart
Mykel Williams
Kyle Kennard pic.twitter.com/eQ7GmAQYy4

— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) January 29, 2025​

Predicting the best EDGE rushers from the 2025 NFL Draft using a blend of @NoFlagsFilm Athleticism Score & my own Production Score, derived from historical metrics that best predicted successful EDGE rushers in the NFL.

Potential Steal: Josaiah Stewart - MICH
Potential Bust: Nic… pic.twitter.com/QX5oHf0BYA

— Eagles Eric (@EaglesXsandOs) March 21, 2025​

Top 101 College Football Players from the 2024 Season:

#42: Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

91.2 PFF Grade (2nd Among ALL Edge Rushers) pic.twitter.com/tuEnlWGEfG

— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 6, 2025​

Josaiah Stewart is a DE prospect in the 2025 draft class. He does not qualify for a #RAS due to a lack of measurements.https://t.co/WIiGPvKcgw pic.twitter.com/4pL7IcjHRl

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 31, 2025​

How does he fit on the team​

The Commanders lost their pass-rush specialist, Dante Fowler, Jr., in free agency. He led the team in sacks without being a starter at defensive end. While the team should look for a starting-caliber defensive end, it also could consider adding a rotational pass rusher. Josaiah Stewart’s quickness, burst, and strength could make sense playing that role for the Commanders. As a pass-rush specialist, Stewart could be deployed on obvious passing downs, limiting his weaknesses against the run. If he can improve in this area, he may be a viable starter at defensive end. Now, his size might make him more of a fit as a 3-4 OLB. However, 4-3 teams have found success using undersized rushers in passing situations, a few even becoming starters at defensive end. Nolan Smith, Jr. and Hassan Reddick are examples of this. Even if he doesn’t become a starter, Stewert could give the Commanders an aggressive rusher off the edge on passing downs. Let’s see if the coaches and front office will allow Mike Sainristil to recruit Josaiah Stewart again.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/16...plosive-addition-to-the-washington-commanders

 

[Washington Commanders]

Daily Slop - 16 Apr 25 - Bullock goes deep on Josh Conerly Jr film study and joins Al Galdi to discuss the draft

Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Commanders links​

Articles​

Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)​

NFL Draft Profile: OT Josh Conerly Jr.​

So what would Conerly bring to Washington if the Commanders were to draft him? He’s a big, athletic lineman measuring in at 6-foot-5, 311 pounds with 33½-inch arms. Some believe he’ll convert to guard in the NFL but I personally don’t agree with that idea. I think he has the foot quickness and length to play outside and his weaknesses would just be more exposed at guard. His athleticism and foot quickness do stand out when watching him, he’s an easy, fluid mover which enables him to react to speed and redirect when needed.

His footwork impressed me the more I watched him. He showed a variety of different sets, from a vertical set like we just saw, to quick sets and even more.

Here we see one of those variety sets. At the snap, Conerly takes his first kick step backwards as normal. However, this is just to disguise his true intention. After that first step backwards, Conerly suddenly drives forward towards the defender. It’s a surprise quick set. Typically a quick set sees the tackle step forward towards the defender straight off the snap, but Conerly shows a more advanced version here. The step back makes the defender believe it’s a normal set before suddenly surprising him with it. It’s a very nice set to have as a change up to mess with the timing of pass rushers. You can see the impact it has on this play too. He locks up the rusher quickly, who wasn’t expecting Conerly to suddenly jump towards him. The rusher tries to disengage and work inside, but Conerly stays locked on and ends up driving the defender to the ground with a strong finish.

So the feet are a big plus for Conerly, which to me says he can live at tackle at the next level. The two reasons why college tackles often have to transition to guard in the NFL is because they lack foot quickness or arm length. Conerly has the feet, so that’s not an issue. His arms are half an inch under the 34-inch threshold that most NFL teams look for, per his combine measurement, but the combine arm length measurements seem to have been consistently off this year. At his pro day, his arms reportedly measured in at 34¼ inches, above that threshold. It’s all very marginal stuff and when you watch Conerly, the length doesn’t show up as a huge issue. In fact, his hand fighting looks pretty good overall.

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Commanders Wire​

6 realistic targets for the Commanders at No. 29​

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.

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Hogs Haven​

What Does Wes Welker Bring to Washington?​

He spent the last three years coaching the explosive tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who have managed to put up monster numbers in Miami. In 2023, Hill publicly lauded Welker for his motivational style:

“He’s grilling [me] every day,” Hill said. “I hate it, but it’s like bro — I need that to get better. Sometimes I can get set in my ways about just who I am. I’m like, ‘I made this Pro Bowl and I’m an All-Pro — I don’t need this bro’... I could just go out and play.

“When you got that coach who’s like, ‘I’m not gonna let you settle bro, I want you to get better every single day because this wasn’t who you were when you first came in the league.’”

Even so, Welker was fired by Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel in January:

“I also want to thank Wes for his investment here. This was not a decision I came to lightly, but as I have evaluated the season and areas where we must improve, I believe that change is needed and am motivated to do what is best for the team as we move forward.”

Welker’s firing seemed to come as quite a surprise to many in the fanbase who wondered if perhaps he wasn’t being scapegoated for an offense that underperformed, at least in part due to Tua Tagavaloa’s injuries last season.

Welker’s time in New England did overlap with Adam Peters stint there, during the 2007-2008 time period. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him play an important role in the 2025 draft, where the potential of Washington adding another wide receiver into the mix seems fairly high, and having a talent evaluator with his experience could be an asset.

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Podcasts & videos​

Jacob Martin’s “WILL to Win is BIGGER than Yours” | Next Man Up | Washington Commanders | NFL​

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Episode 1,051 - Guest: @MarkBullockNFL on NFL Draft edge defenders who fit the Commanders & could be available at 29, including Donovan Ezeiruaku, who is coming up more & more regarding Washington. We also talk Shemar Stewart, Nick Scourton & James Pearce.https://t.co/h70wO2xLMH

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) April 16, 2025​

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I just wrapped up an interview with ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid), where we discussed options for the Commanders at pick 29, broke down what Derek Carr’s injury means for the Saints, and much more! Click the link below to check it out:https://t.co/USZH7HoQ02

— Matthew Heiserman (@MatthewH_Haven) April 15, 2025​

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Discussion topics​

Rick Snider’s Washington says D.C. budget cutbacks make it real hard to believe Washington Commanders are returning to RFK. Gimme two minutes. pic.twitter.com/Pqgwf0MGHO

— Rick Snider's Washington (@Snide_Remarks) April 15, 2025​

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All aTwitter​

Worked last year.️ https://t.co/0dZ4q4sou4

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 16, 2025​

#RaiseHail

Add newly signed 39-yr-old QB Josh Johnson to the long list of Commanders players on the Veteran Benefit contract structure, saving about $140k in cap space in '25.

I think that makes 21 of these contracts for nearly $3m in cap savings.https://t.co/JQGMkpoNcj pic.twitter.com/JpqbJYmjaK

— Bill-in-Bangkok (@billhorgan2005) April 16, 2025​

posting a photo from last season every day until OTAs pic.twitter.com/YDFDfOxp46

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 15, 2025​

me screaming draft a KICKER in the 7th! #raisehail pic.twitter.com/FmVgv9unB9

— Deuce__ @redzoneinthelab podcast (@redzoneinthelab) April 16, 2025​

Classic. https://t.co/wheCSf0cIq

— John Keim (@john_keim) April 16, 2025​

This was the final game of the regular season. Washington had already clinched a playoff spot. George Allen just let him kick it. Nothing wrong with Moseley. It was a blowout win over the Bears. 42-0. I think it hit one of the uprights on the way thru.

— RiffMaster (@RiffMaster773) April 15, 2025​

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/16...y-jr-film-joins-al-galdi-to-discuss-the-draft

 

[Washington Commanders]

Can Jonas Sanker Become a Starting Safety for the Commanders?

Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Jonas Sanker, S
School: University of Virginia | Conference: Atlantic Athletic
College Experience: Redshirt Senior | Age: 22 (Week 1)
Height / Weight: 6’0”/ 206 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Late 3rd-5th

Player Comparison: Jeff Heath / Kenny Vaccaro

College Statistics​

Tackles	Def Interceptions	Fumbles
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Solo	Ast	Comb	TFL	Sk	Int	Yds	Avg	IntTD	PD	FR	Yds	FRTD	FF	Awards
2021	Virginia	ACC	FR	DB	9	2	3	5	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2022	Virginia	ACC	SO	DB	10	36	27	63	1	0.0	1	14	14.0	0	2	1	0	0	1
2023	Virginia	ACC	JR	DB	12	73	34	107	4	0.0	0	0	0	11	2	0	0	3
2024	Virginia	ACC	SR	S	12	65	33	98	9	2.0	1	45	45.0	0	4	2	40	1	0
Career	43	176	97	273	14	2.0	2	59	29.5	0	17	5	40	1	4

Defense & Fumbles Table

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/16/2025.

Player Overview​

Charlottesville-native Jonas Sanker was a local multi-sport athlete for The Covenant School (VA) where he played eight-man football as a quarterback, running back, and safety. He was a three-star prospect who initially committed to Boston College before switching to play for the local University of Virginia in 2021. He became the starter in 2022 and broke out in his junior year. In the last two seasons, Jonas lead the ACC in solo tackles. Over the last two seasons, he totaled over 200 combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 15 pass defended, one interception, 3 forced fumbles with 4 fumbles recovered. Jonas earned first team All-ACC honors in 2023 and 2024. He was a Senior Bowl participant and invited to the Commanders local pro day.

Jonas Sanker is a versatile, high motor safety. He pairs high instinct with high intelligence, often coordinating the defensive coverages for his unit. Sanker thrives in zone coverage, knowing when to jump and break up short and intermediate routes. He has good speed and closing burst when he commits to tackle. However, that willingness has been inconsistent, as Sanker at times allows the play to come to him. This is where Jonas can get caught and be unable to immediately shake away from blockers. Sanker can play nickel but doesn’t have the fluidity and footwork to consistently keep up with receivers compared to tight ends. Jonas played over 500 snaps in special teams coverage which could help him find a spot on the 53-man roster. Jonas Sanker is projected to be a top Day-3 selection and expected to thrive best as a rotational deep safety and special teams coverage contributor.

Awards & Recognition​

• First Team All-ACC (2023, 2024)
• Senior Bowl Participant (2025)

Metrics​

Source: nfl.com

Jonas Sanker is a FS prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.54 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 51 out of 1095 FS from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/eAbzGVBGjP pic.twitter.com/twc4SYYaS5

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 28, 2025​

Strengths​

• Willing tackler.
• Great speed and closing burst.
• Times pass defenses well in zone coverage.
• Pairs good intelligence with instincts. Helps coordinate the coverage.
• Able to cover tight ends.
• Major special teams coverage contributor.

Weaknesses​

• Does not have the foot speed and fluidity to keep up with wide receivers in nickel coverage.
• Best not to leave on an island in coverage.
• Undersized for a strong safety.
• Needs to shed blockers better. Play with more urgency against the run.
• 2 interceptions in 4 seasons. Sometimes lacks enough burst to undercut routes.

Let’s See His Work​

Jonas Sanker (Virginia) is one of my favorite box safeties in this class. Good speed + closing burst, almost always wins at the catch point, plays with the mentality of a linebacker.

Leads FBS defensive backs with 173 solo tackles since 2023. pic.twitter.com/lpbMMpjMQD

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 17, 2025​

Interviews​

How Will He Fit On The Team​

In the midst of the offseason moves, Darrick Forest departed for the Bills. Though Washington added Will Harris on a modest two-year contract, the front office could continue to add their guys into the secondary mix. Jonas Sanker is a safety who can play a bit of everything. If Sanker takes well to Joe Whitt’s coaching, he can be an asset in run and pass coverage. It may take a few years of development for Sanker to become a starter, but he can contribute in nickel sets, deep coverage, and on special teams. As for now, Jonas Sanker is a rotational safety who is at his best in short and deep coverage and on special teams.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/17...r-the-washington-commanders-nfl-draft-profile

 

[Washington Commanders]

Pick-5 draft prediction contest 2025

Your chance to predict what Adam Peters will do next week

Did you say a contest?!​

For eight years, from 2017 to 2024, I hosted the “Draft Pick-3” draft prediction contest that followed basically the same rules every year.

We’re gonna change things up a little bit in 2025.

This year, the Commanders have only five picks in hand, which seems to invite Adam Peters to trade back if he can — perhaps more than once. Also, instead of picking in the top half of each round as was usual in the eight prior contest seasons, Washington will be picking 29th out of 32 teams this season, expanding the variables — especially for the first round — by an order of magnitude (rhetorically if not scientifically).

For these reasons, I have decided to slightly change the contest structure (and name!) to reflect the reality of this smaller number of picks and greater variability in outcome.

The “Draft Pick 5” contest​

In this new version of the contest, each entrant can identify 5 players in each round of the draft whether or not the Commanders currently have a pick in that round. Each player named that gets drafted by the Commanders will score points.

In a new twist, entrants have the option to predict that the Commanders will trade out of Round 1 and/or Round 2 completely. Those who correctly predict that AP will trade completely out of Round 1 and/or Round 2 will receive points for correct predictions of those trade outcomes.

Points scoring​

Trading out of Round 1​

Correctly predicting that Adam Peters will trade out of Round 1 earns 6 points.

Trading completely out of Round 2​

Correctly predicting that Adam Peters will trade completely out of Round 2 earns 9 points. Note that these points are awarded ONLY if the Commanders do not make a second-round pick in the 2025 draft.

Right player; wrong round​

If an entrant names a player who is drafted by the Commanders, but lists that player in any round other than the round in which he is actually drafted, the entrant earns 3 points.

Right player; right round​

If an entrant names a player who is drafted by the Commanders AND lists that player in the correct round, the entrant will earn points based on the round in which the player was drafted:

• Round 1 = 4 points
• Round 2 = 6 points
• Round 3 = 9 points
• Round 4 = 12 points
• Round 5 = 16 points
• Round 6 = 20 points
• Round 7 = 25 points

An entrant may list any draft-eligible player in as many rounds as desired; however, there is no advantage to listing a player more than once in any given round.

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To enter the contest, CLICK HERE to access the entry form

To enter the contest, CLICK HERE to access the entry form

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If anyone posts multiple entries, the LAST entry posted by any individual entrant prior to 7:59 ET, 24 April 2025 will be that entrant’s “official” entry. No entries will be accepted after 7:59 ET, 24 April 2025.

In case of a tie, the entrant who has received the highest number of points for a single correct projection will be declared the winner. (For clarity, an entrant who earned 20 points for a correct 6th round projection would be declared the winner if no other entrant earned full points beyond round 5). If any entrants remain tied after applying the tie-breaker, then Bill-in-Bangkok will determine the declared winner.

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To enter the contest, CLICK HERE to access the entry form

To enter the contest, CLICK HERE to access the entry form

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THE PRIZE​

Any contest is only as good as the value of the prize for winning, so here’s the deal; the winner will be entitled to the same ‘great’ prize as the eight winners of the Draft Pick-3 Contest. Once you’ve been named the winner, make an appointment with me, show up in Bangkok, and I’ll buy drinks for the two of us all night long at the bar or pub of your choice.

Previous Winners of the Draft Pick-3 Contest​

2024 Panamon28

2023 VinceItaly

2022 Waltdeez

2021 dg28

2020 Rook6980

2019 dcbornskin

2018 Marooook!

2017 SkinsaneAsylum

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/18/24407351/pick-5-draft-prediction-contest-2025

 

[Washington Commanders]

Daily Slop - 18 Apr 25 - Commanders Log Season 4, Episode 3 explores draft prep, scouting & roster building

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Commanders links​

Commanders Log​

The Right Pieces | Commanders Log: Season 4, Episode 3​

Articles​

Commanders.com​

Ten 2nd-round draft prospects for Commanders fans to watch​

The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.

• Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa: Although Johnson will likely need to show more as a pass-catcher, he’s quick and elusive as a runner with 1,537 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in 2024. His workload doubled last season with 240 carries, and he more than tripled his production from 2023.
• Landon Jackon, EDGE, Arkansas: Jackson’s energy and play style make for an entertaining watch. There are more athletic and productive players in this year’s draft, but Jackson is elite when it comes to his competitiveness and work ethic.
• Aireontae Ersery, T, Minnesota: The Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year has prototypical size for an NFL tackle with his 6-foot-6, 331-pound frame. He has the quickness to beat defenders on perimeter runs and screen passes but shines the most when moving downhill to block interior defensive linemen.
• Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State: What Noel lacks in size (5-foot-10, 194 pounds) he makes up for with speed (he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine) and enough versatility to play anywhere on the field. He also has some experience as a return specialist with 1,287 yards on kickoffs and punts.
• Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss: Amos was a productive cover corner at Ole Miss, leading the team in pass breakups (13) and interceptions (3) in 2024. Though he’s sub-200 pounds, he has enough length to win contested catches and come down with game-changing plays.

Gary Clark will be on-site in Green Bay to announce our Day 2 pick #NFLDraft x #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/ZbwsxN4oVA

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 17, 2025​

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Pro Football Focus​

2025 NFL Draft: Best Day 2 fits for all 32 NFL teams​

Washington Commanders​

Prospect to target: CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State

Washington’s trade for Marshon Lattimore was a good start to revamping this secondary, but the unit still needs more attention. Thomas showcases natural movement skills and quick feet that allow him to mirror route breaks in press-man coverage.

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ESPN​

2025 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can crush their picks, fill needs​

No team should approach the draft more aggressively than the Commanders. They’ve already started this process, dealing picks to acquire veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Once you make the NFC Championship Game in your rookie quarterback’s first season as a pro, you commit. Get the chips to the middle of the table. Trade up. Swing for the stars.

The Commanders could use impactful players at two key positions: edge rusher and safety. Depth remains strong on the edge, and the presence of Frankie Luvu elevates the group — but the primary sack-getter last season was Dante Fowler Jr. (10.5), and he left for Dallas in free agency. With the No. 29 pick, Washington could catch a falling Mykel Williams (Georgia) [or] Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M); both are projects with upside as pass rushers. Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) is the pro-ready pass rusher with the sort of explosive outside rush profile Dan Quinn loves.

Similarly, at safety, the Commanders are right at the end range for Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) and Malaki Starks (Georgia). Emmanwori looks like a ready-made Jeremy Chinn replacement, though he would likely require a trade-up. There have been only seven first-round trade-ups for a safety in draft history, and only one in the past 10 years (Darnell Savage in 2019) — so perhaps that’s a risk too far. Best to let the board fall to you. If safety doesn’t happen in Round 1, watch for hard-hitting box safety Kevin Winston Jr. (Penn State) in Round 3.

As far as other needs go, the Commanders might look to draft a boundary corner who can push 2024 second-round selection Mike Sainristil back inside. Quinn’s corners tend to have plus ball skills, which reads to me as Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) [or] Darien Porter (Iowa State). The former had six interceptions as a freshman starter, and the latter played three collegiate seasons as a receiver.

Investing in a WR3 who can replace [Deebo] Samuel after his contract expires next year feels wise, and if they are prioritizing YAC in that role, they should look no further than TCU — both Jack Bech (Round 2, maybe Round 3) and Savion Williams (Round 3, maybe Round 4) are deadly with the ball in their hands.

If a highly rated receiver, offensive lineman or defensive tackle does fall into the Commanders’ lap, they should leap at the chance. Again, adding high-impact, immediate contributors is the name of the game here. Trade up for falling players and take risks on guys with red flags on their eval — the sort of players who would have gone a round higher if not for injury history or poor production. Draft players you can envision starting — and mattering — in January football.

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Commanders Wire​

5 teams who could be perfect trade back partners with Commanders​

Cleveland Browns​

It’s no surprise that the Browns are on this list due to their need for a quarterback and the unlikely chance they have to take one at pick 2 with Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter on the board. Cleveland has done extensive homework on quarterbacks this offseason, and we could see a run on quarterbacks with the Saints at No. 9 and the Steelers at 21. However, the right situation would allow the Browns to move back into the first round and take Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe. a trade package for 29 could include picks 33, 179, 192, and a 2026 fifth-round pick (which Washington also needs), to move back only four spots.

New York Giants​

The Giants are in the same situation as the Browns, needing a quarterback, but also selecting too high in the draft at pick 3 to take one with the chance that Abdul Carter falls to them. There is still a chance that the Giants’ brass will end up taking Shedeur Sanders at 3, but if not, they will be eager to move back into the first round to get their guy. Washington could trade back five spots to pick 34, and maybe get lucky enough to land pick 105 in doing so.

Las Vegas Raiders​

If they decide to pass on Jeanty [at No. 6 overall], the Raiders could move back up to 29 to take a running back before the run starts, or take a top wide receiver that falls as well. Washington trading pick 29 for 37, 108, and 143 would be a really valuable haul, and still be within the range to take a player who fell, such as James Pearce Jr., Maxwell Hairston, or Jayden Higgins.

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Podcasts & videos​

The new Schatz and @MikeTanier podcast on the 2025 NFL Draft should be appearing in your podcast feeds soon! You can also watch it on YouTube.

We'll have another episode next Thursday and then the Friday morning following Round 1!https://t.co/MZFu4EJNoP

— Aaron Schatz (@ASchatzNFL) April 10, 2025​

NFL Draft Preview Part II: Draft Projections for Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, and Edge Rushers https://t.co/mO5ldvhz6S

— Aaron Schatz (@ASchatzNFL) April 17, 2025​

https://t.co/GxHxxPmhAv Can Jaden Daniels Lead The Washington Commanders To Greatness Again#RaiseHail #NFL
Join our Discord
https://t.co/ceLulLcYQ0

‍ https://t.co/uj9qj87hkt ‍
Join us live every Monday - Friday at 9:00 pm est pic.twitter.com/AubCTIWMoV

— Mike Buck (@manhour_buck) April 17, 2025​

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NFC East links​

Bleeding Green Nation​

NFL Draft Rankings 2025: Safety​

3) Xavier Watts, Notre Dame​

Xavier Watts is the best ballhawk in this class. The two-time all-American had 13 interceptions over the last two seasons.

He is a smart, rangy safety who will read quarterback eyes like a book and fly to the ball. He is also not afraid of making big hits in coverage.

He is a good, not great athlete and relies heavily on instincts over athleticism. His relative lack of size too shows up when coming at the run. Ideally he is a pure center fielding safety for a defense that runs a lot of Cover 3.

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Big Blue View​

New York Giants draft preview: Edge defenders who could be of interest​

Day 2 options​

Landon Jackson, Arkansas: Landon Jackson is a controlled mover who possesses elite overall size with an excellent frame and length. His ability to play the run effectively as an anchor defender, penetrator, or pursuit defender make him ideal for any scheme, as well as his athletic ability, quick first-step, and his aforementioned size. Defensive line coaches will fall in love with a player like Jackson. His upside as a pass-rusher isn’t through the roof, but he took noticeable steps through his college career with his use of hands and ability to employ moves to create separation. His combination of shock value and hand technique are an asset. He has won with power and with finesse, albeit he does lose leverage against better offensive lineman who can reanchor his moves. Jackson should have a long career in the league as a high-floor hustle pass rusher with good hands to disengage at the POA, while excelling as a sturdy run defender.

Day 3 options​

Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virgina Tech: Antwaun Powell-Ryland carries a power punch to his rushes and offers multiple pass rushing moves. He does a good job getting up the arc and maximizing sufficient lower-body flexion by though his adaptive hands, his good explosiveness, and his low center of gravity. Powell-Ryland is a smart rusher who can pin his ears back from multiple positions. Antwaun Powell-Ryland is not a poor run defender, but his lack of length and only average play strength may lead to some trouble against better NFL offensive tackles and double teams at the next level. Overall, he was a productive rusher in college who will have a role in the NFL but may lack the length, ideal play strength, and athletic traits to be a consistent three-down contributor.

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Barstool Sports​

The Single Worst Thing For Any Giants Fan To Hear: Pat Shurmur Thinks Shedeur Sanders Is ‘Very Similar’ To Daniel Jones​

Daniel Jones caused a civil war among Giants fans. People were either in the camp of he has no help, he’s still young, he’ll be awesome OR why the fuck did we draft this guy? Then it became Saquon vs Daniel Jones and the money situation. Then it became this guy can’t throw the ball more than 8 yards downfield. Finally we get rid of Daniel Jones and that first camp is ready to freak out the moment he has his first decent game for someone else.

Here’s basically where I stand. If any person, especially a former coach who thought he was shafted a bit, compares Shedeur Sanders (or any other quarterback) to Daniel Jones, and thinks it’s a compliment, do not draft him. In fact, cross him off your board. You can’t have a second Daniel Jones. Just take Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter. I’m begging you.

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NFL league links​

Articles​

The Athletic (paywall)​

NFL projection model ranks all 32 rosters ahead of the draft​

My model ranked all 32 rosters from best to worst ahead of the draft. To do this, the model takes various metrics and assigns a “value” to each player that shows their impact on a single game. Of course, positional value is vital in football, which means superstar running back Saquon Barkley is not going to be as valuable as elite edge rusher Myles Garrett, even though they’re the best players at their respective positions. After summing up the values of each roster, we can rank each team 1-32.

1. Philadelphia Eagles​

They may have lost some pieces this offseason, most notably along the defensive line, but they’ve done an incredible job in recent years of acquiring talent through the draft to backfill those pieces, all while being strategic with the salary cap to maximize their spending.

So, just how good is this roster? Of the 11 position groups, the Eagles rank inside the top 10 in eight of them. The Detroit Lions are the only other team that can boast that type of widespread talent. The Eagles are a little thin at edge rusher, but I expect them to address that in the draft. And if they do, there really isn’t a weak point on this roster.

9. Washington Commanders​

Full transparency: My model had the Commanders as the worst roster in the league heading into the draft last season. Oops. Frankly, I stand by the assessment that the roster isn’t all that great, especially on defense, but QB Jayden Daniels was just that good last year. And now they’ve added a star left tackle in Laremy Tunsil and an interesting No. 2 WR in Deebo Samuel Jr. on offense. Still, the defense projects as a bottom-five unit in the league with major holes along the defensive line and in the secondary. If they find some legitimate defensive talent in the draft, watch out.

15. Dallas Cowboys​

I’d never recommend drafting a ball carrier in the first round, but Dallas’ running back room ranks dead last in the NFL, so the position definitely needs to be addressed at some point in the draft. In the first round, however, they’re better off selecting a wide receiver or an offensive tackle because both of their groups currently rank in the bottom five in the NFL. Suffice it to say, they desperately need to add some talent around quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, because they can’t carry the Cowboys offense by themselves.

25. New York Giants​

The Giants seem likely to add one of Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick, and getting one of the truly elite prospects in this class will go a long way to stabilizing a roster that lacks star power. While Hunter seems destined for Cleveland, he’d be a better fit than Carter for a squad that could use help at wide receiver and cornerback. Still, there shouldn’t be any complaining from Giants fans if their team scoops up Carter. While the defensive line is already solid, there’s nothing wrong with building on a strength.

26. Chicago Bears​

This is probably lower than most Bears fans expected to find their team. Why are they all the way down here? Let’s just say quarterback Caleb Williams has a lot to prove his sophomore season. And if they get a jump in production from second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze, that will really help flip the script for this offense. New coach Ben Johnson should get more out of this group than the last regime did. On defense, I’m still concerned with the line, as it’s projected in the bottom half of the league.

31. New York Jets​

The Aaron Rodgers era was nothing short of a disaster, as the Jets’ offense heads into the 2025 season as one of the worst in the NFL. Outside of the interior offensive line, there isn’t a position group that rates higher than 27th. And while the defense should again outpace the offense, I’m not sure they’re destined to be one of the league’s best units any more, as their defensive line projects as below average.

32. Tennessee Titans​

It’s fitting that the team with the worst roster heading into the NFL Draft is also the team with the No. 1 pick. And while that pick is likely going to be spent on a franchise quarterback, the Titans have a lot of work to do to rebuild this roster around their presumed pick of Cam Ward. The wide receivers, offensive tackles, edge rushers and corners all rate in the bottom five of the league. That’s essentially the opposite of what the Eagles have built to win a Super Bowl.

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Discussion topics​

The Athletic (paywall)​

Aaron Rodgers’ words for Aaron Glenn are a reminder: The Jets were right to move on​

Rodgers thought he was meeting with Glenn and GM Darren Mougey to offer his thoughts and opinions on the Jets, what needed to be fixed, and the future — his own and the team’s. (“Why wouldn’t you want to pick my brain?” Rodgers said.) But, the way Rodgers tells it, Glenn wasn’t interested in his opinions. This wasn’t a meeting to gauge Rodgers’ interest in coming back. This was a meeting to let him know that, with a new regime taking over, he was no longer in the Jets’ plans. As Rodgers told it to McAfee:

“I figured that when I flew across the country on my dime, there would be a conversation,” Rodgers said. “I meet with the coach, we start talking … he runs out of the room. I’m like, that’s strange. Then he comes back with the GM. So we sit down and I think we’re going to have this long conversation, I’ve flown across the country, and 20 seconds in, I’m talking to the GM, and (Glenn) leans to the edge of his seat and says: ‘You’re sure you want to play football?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I’m interested.’ And he said, ‘We’re going in another direction at quarterback.’ ”

“I was kind of shocked.”

Then, Rodgers said, he unloaded.

“I just flew across the country and you could’ve told me this on the phone if we weren’t even going to have a conversation,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers said Glenn then asked him about the messaging of how he wanted his release to be announced. According to Rodgers, Glenn said, “I don’t want to be in front of the room saying something and have guys looking back at you. And I said, ‘Are you assuming I would be in the back of the room during a team meeting, undermining what you’re saying? You don’t know me.’ And he said, “You don’t know me.’ And then I said, ‘Exactly, that’s why I flew across the country to have a face-to-face meeting with you.’ ” Later in the interview, Rodgers said: “I think that was a little rogue by the head coach.”

Glenn had no interest in being in the Aaron Rodgers business, and it’s hard to blame him. If anything, the way Rodgers has handled the aftermath, specifically Thursday’s interview with McAfee, proved the Jets made the right decision.

If Glenn had told Rodgers they were done with him over the phone, would Rodgers have criticized him for not doing it face-to-face? Glenn handled this the right way. For all the Jets’ off-the-field missteps over the years, this was not one of them.

For two seasons, Rodgers was a walking distraction. The Jets never deterred him from making appearances on McAfee’s show, even as he used that platform to call out teammates, spew conspiracy theories and just generally cause a stir … only for Rodgers to later decry the Jets organization for having so many non-football distractions.

NFL.com​

Aaron Rodgers remains undecided on future: ‘I’m open to anything and attached to nothing’​

In his first public media appearance since January, Rodgers said retirement remains a possibility after a 20-year career. He’s also not ruling out the Pittsburgh Steelers as a possible destination. In short, a week from the start of the 2025 NFL Draft, Rodgers doesn’t know what he’s planning on doing — or at least, he’s not yet ready to reveal anything.

The 41-year-old Rodgers on Thursday cited “personal matters” as a reason he’s delaying any decisions on whether to play football next season. He also mentioned that he’s in a “serious relationship” and has some personal commitments that are his priority now.

“I have a couple people in my inner, inner circle who are battling some difficult stuff. So, I have a lot of things that are taking my attention and have since the beginning of January away from football,” Rodgers said. “That’s where I have been focusing most of my attention on. To make a commitment to a team is a big thing, whether you are a first-year player or 20-year vet.”

Rodgers also didn’t rule out possibly playing for another team, indicating that money was not a hang-up.

“I’ve been straight up with these teams from the start about where I was at,” he said. “Starting with the money thing, I told every single one of the teams that I was talking to that it ain’t about the money. I’ll play for ($10 million per season). I don’t care.

“I never once said I need a multi-year deal or $30 or $40 million is actual b------. I said, I’ll play for 10.”

One team we know won’t play for is the New York Jets. The quarterback painted a picture of a dysfunctional team during his past two years there and said his first meeting with new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey did not go well.

After flying across the country for the face-to-face meeting, Rodgers said he expected to meet with the new Jets leadership for “a few hours,” but the meeting ended abruptly when Glenn told him that they were going in a different direction at the position.

“I was kind of shocked,” Rodgers said. “Not shocked because I didn’t think that was a possibility. Listen, of course, if they want to move on, that’s fine. But shocked because I just flew across the country, and you could have told me this on the phone.”

Pro Football Talk​

Aaron Rodgers says he has no deadlines, with the Steelers or any other team​

“I don’t have sources,” Rodgers said near the end of the segment. “I don’t have people that are out there pushing narratives. I speak for myself. And it’s been nice to be quiet for the last few months. It’s funny how in that time period how the shit narrative goes fucking crazy, right? When I haven’t said a fucking word. So there’s nothing to say. I just laid out where I’m at. There’s nothing else to report. There’s no other reason to be continuing to talk about me at this point. So time to turn the page, all those people that have made a lot of money slandering my name. You know, apologize for COVID, say your vax status, and keep it moving.”

On one hand, everyone should respect that there are personal issues delaying his next step. On the other hand, how hard would it have been to get that out there weeks ago? It would have avoided the very rumors and reports about which he’s now complaining.

It would have been simple. It would have been easy. And it would have answered a lot of the questions that, in the absence of Rodgers saying anything, have become the subject of rampant speculation.

It’s hard not to think that’s exactly what he wanted.

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All aTwitter​

Who's next?? pic.twitter.com/Bt6VEVfyww

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 18, 2025​

Oh look, it's Jayden Daniels cycling reads and identifying his backside to convert on 3rd down - but under pressure - rolling out - in a playoff game https://t.co/G6bSec1Ntf pic.twitter.com/3fZbEoSdVg

— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) January 14, 2025​

No movement so far

: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1QUV53rkpj

— NFL (@NFL) April 17, 2025​

The Giants are conducting these last-minute workouts to collect information, not make a final QB decision, league sources tell me.

The situation remains fluid. But right now, I don't sense that New York's intent is to use the No. 3 pick on the position.https://t.co/4uVBZnrkeN pic.twitter.com/m5voqbCgeG

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 18, 2025​

Most picked players for the Commanders at 29 via @_mockdrafts

6.5% - James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
6.2% - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
5.1% - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

7 days until night one #RaiseHail

— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) April 17, 2025​

1. Travis Hunter
25. Omarion Hampton
50. Princely Umanmielen

Our latest Big Board updatehttps://t.co/5UBYReLub6

— PFF (@PFF) April 18, 2025​

posting a photo from last season every day until OTAs pic.twitter.com/LpHEqpx2Wg

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 17, 2025​

Here’s a current look at the proposed site of a new Washington Commanders stadium, where the closed RFK Stadium in Washington DC currently sits.

A raze permit (to destroy the stadium) has been posted for several years now, with demolition crews on site today. #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/djitoItiJJ

— DMV News Live (@DCNewsLive) April 17, 2025​

https://t.co/455XrKOW8n

— Chris Thompson (@ChrisThompson_4) April 17, 2025​

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/18...-explores-draft-prep-scouting-roster-building

 

[Washington Commanders]

Can Emeka Egbuka Be More than a Slot Receiver for the Commanders?

Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Emeka Egbuka, WR
School: Ohio State | Conference: Big Ten

College Experience: Senior | Age: 22

Height / Weight: 6’1” / 202 lbs

Projected Draft Status: Late 1st-2nd Round

Player Comparison: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

College Statistics​

Receiving	Rushing	Scrimmage
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Y/G	Att	Yds	Y/A	TD	Y/G	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD	Awards
2021*	Ohio State	Big Ten	FR	WR	10	9	191	21.2	0	19.1	0	0	0	0.0	9	191	21.2	0
2022*	Ohio State	Big Ten	SO	WR	13	74	1151	15.6	10	88.5	11	87	7.9	2	6.7	85	1238	14.6	12
2023*	Ohio State	Big Ten	JR	WR	10	41	515	12.6	4	51.5	5	25	5.0	0	2.5	46	540	11.7	4
2024*	Ohio State	Big Ten	SR	WR	16	81	1011	12.5	10	63.2	8	33	4.1	0	2.1	89	1044	11.7	10
Career	49	205	2868	14.0	24	58.5	24	145	6.0	2	3.0	229	3013	13.2	26

Receiving & Rushing Table

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/17/2025.

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Kick Returns	Punt Returns
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Ret	Yds	Y/Ret	KRTD	Ret	Yds	Y/Ret	PRTD	APYd	Awards
2021*	Ohio State	Big Ten	FR	WR	10	20	580	29.0	0	0	0	0	771
2022*	Ohio State	Big Ten	SO	WR	13	1	25	25.0	0	11	75	6.8	0	1338
2023*	Ohio State	Big Ten	JR	WR	10	0	0	0	7	23	3.3	0	563
2024*	Ohio State	Big Ten	SR	WR	16	1	16	16.0	0	1	-1	-1.0	0	1059
Career	49	22	621	28.2	0	19	97	5.1	0	3731

Kick & Punt Returns Table

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/18/2025.

Player Overview​

In his home of DuPont, Washington - where his grandfather served as mayor - Emeka Egbuka honed his skills in two sports. In baseball, he was a centerfielder that was scouted by Major League Baseball. The ball-tracking and catching in baseball goes hand in hand with his play as a receiver on the football field. His junior season, Egbuka had over 1,600 receiving yards, 2,200 total yards, and 32 total TDs. This led to him being named Gatorade Player of the Year in Washington, a five-star recruit, and the top wide receiver recruit in the country. He skipped a pandemic-delayed senior season to enroll early at Ohio State.

The wide receiving group in Columbus was stacked when Egbuka arrived: Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Jamerson Williams were on campus and Egbuka enrolled with Marvin Harrison, Jr. He didn’t produce much as a freshman, but he was a productive kick returner for the Buckeyes. The next season, with Wilson and Olave in the NFL and Smith-Njigba dealing with injury, Egbuka broke out with 71 catches and over 1,000 yards. With Smith-Njigba leaving early for the league, many thought Egbuka would be one of the best receivers in the country as a junior. However, he suffered an ankle injury that required surgery and cost him three games. He wasn’t the same the rest of the season and the numbers show it. He came back for one more season and had the most catches of his career, tied a career high for touchdowns, and helped propel the Buckeyes to a national championship.

Strengths​

• Excellent off the line, winning with quickness and precise footwork
• Good at changing tempo of routes and using fakes to create separation
• High IQ shown in understanding and manipulating coverages
• Excellent ball tracking and concentration catches
• Flashes long speed to turn short passes into long gains
• Frame allows him to break through arm tackles

Weaknesses​

• Primarily worked out of the slot with free releases and schemed plays
• Can struggle with physical cornerbacks, especially in press
• Doesn’t have suddenness or elusiveness as a runner
• Dealt with significant ankle injury in 2023

Let’s See His Work​

Emeka Egbuka (#2) facing press vs Notre Dame pic.twitter.com/MIYAEoctYr

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 14, 2025​

Emeka Egbuka 2025 #ReceptionPerception Prospect Profile - 68.1% success rate vs man - 83.6% success rate vs zone (82nd percentile) - 81.3% success rate vs press (very limited reps caveat) - Strong set of hands Full profile: receptionperception.com/emeka-egbuka...

— Matt Harmon (@mattharmon.bsky.social) 2025-03-28T15:02:45.918Z

Ohio State QB @whoward_ believes his teammate WR Emeka Egbuka is poised to be a “special” NFL player.

https://t.co/GRQGKw5pwx pic.twitter.com/cpGajULJB6

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2025​

Emeka Egbuka is a WR prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.72 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 108 out of 3815 WR from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/3KQytaOwkV pic.twitter.com/hC95XAtKcy

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 12, 2025​

How does he fit on the team​

Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel headline the Commanders’ receiving corps. Veterans Noah Brown, K.J. Osborn, and Michael Gallup round out the group along with a developing Luke McCaffrey. Of all those names, the only one signed beyond 2026 is Luke McCaffrey. If the Commanders want to get ahead of their needs, they will prioritize finding a talented wide receiver to complement Jayden Daniels.

He may not be the biggest or fastest receiver, but Emeka Egbuka is reliable. After a four-year career, Egbuka leaves Ohio State as the Buckeyes’ all-time leader in catches and yards. It’s his release, his route-running, and hands that will help him be successful going forward. He’d immediately improve the slot WR position if selected by the Commanders, finding a fair amount of targets. But, to be the Commanders’ selection, Egbuka has to show he can be more than just a slot receiver. While he has attributes that suggest he will, it’ll be important for him to be more physical. Having Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel should help him in this area. If he can improve his physicality, Egbuka could be a WR1 in the NFL. If he doesn’t, he should still be one of the best slot WRs in the league with time.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/19...r-the-washington-commanders-nfl-draft-profile

 

[Washington Commanders]

2025 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Trading down is a popular option for the Washington Commanders

Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Who is Washington picking in 2025?

The NFL Draft is five days away, and we’ve got a fresh roundup of mock drafts to check out. Mel Kiper Jr leads the charge again this week with a two round mock draft that sees the Washington Commanders trading out of the first round. The Cleveland Browns trade up for Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart in a popular scenario for Commanders fans. There are eight other mock drafts that have Washington trading down, and there is a wide range of players that teams are targeting at #29, including OT, WR and S. Adam Peters has said they are looking for value in the draft, and that could mean trading up, down, or sticking at #29 and taking the best player available.

Defensive end/EDGE continues to be the most popular position mocked to the Washington Commanders. There are nine different options in this week’s roundup, with James Pearce Jr. and Donovan Ezeiruaku getting the most mentions(10). Defense has the most options with cornerback having the biggest amount of variety.

Offense gets some attention this week, with a focus on the skill players. Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka goes to Washington in six mocks this week, including the Athletic’s Dane Brugler. Matthew Golden has been out of reach for Washington in most mocks, but this week he gets picked by the Commanders four times. The speedy receiver from Texas would be another weapon for Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury to work with.

Position breakdown:​

WR – 3

RB – 2

OT – 2

OG - 1

EDGE/DE – 9

DL – 1

CB – 4

S – 2

LB - 1

Trade down - 9

Washington Commanders 2025 NFL Draft Picks​

Round 1 - #29

Round 2 - #61

Round 4 (via HOU) - #128

Round 6 - #205

Round 7 (from DEN via PHI) - #245

---

Trade down​

E$PN+(Kiper/Yates)​

Browns get: Nos. 29 and 128

Commanders get: Nos. 33 and 67

Yates: Mel, I think we need a trade here. Cleveland could look to trade back into the first round if the quarterback board falls the right way, and this is a good chance to do so.

Kiper: Makes a lot of sense to me. The Commanders would love an extra Day 2 pick.

Round 2(#33): Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

Ezeiruaku would be terrific value at the top of the second round — he could easily climb into the 20s as one of the best pure pass rushers in the class. He had 16.5 sacks last season, and his 65 pressures led the nation.

Round 2(#61): Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State

Parrish is tough, feisty and extremely fast. Benjamin St-Juste is gone, and Marshon Lattimore has battled some injuries, so getting another corner should be a focus for Washington.

Round 3(#67):Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

More backfield depth makes sense for the Commanders, and Johnson would bring a good blend of size and power. His 1,537 rushing yards ranked seventh in the FBS last season.

Rotowire(Bartel)​

49ers trade No. 43, No. 138 and fourth-round pick next year for Commanders No. 29(Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State)

The Commanders probably stay pat if I’m being truthful, but general manager Adam Peters has ties to the 49ers of course, and the teams already executed the Deebo Samuel trade earlier this offseason. I’m of the opinion that Washington’s postseason run last year was a bit flukey, and continuing to be patient and build the totality of the roster makes sense. I also have the 49ers overpaying a bit in this scenario because there’s little incentive to trade out, and they have a glut of conditional picks over the next two drafts to play with.

Of all the trades projected, I don’t really know if this one makes a lot sense, but I wanted to shoot my shot so to speak with San Francisco’s usual draft aggressiveness. Simmons suffered a non-contact patella injury in October that required surgery, and the thought is the Ohio State tackle probably won’t be available Week 1. That would hinder his draft value to a lot of teams, but I think the 49ers are uniquely poised to withstand such a loss, but also have a clear need at improving the tackle position over time. Jumping ahead of the Eagles and Chiefs, who are always candidates to draft offensive line, is part of the onus for this trade up, but it’s also a relatively cheap price to pay to get a cornerstone tackle for at least four years.

NFL Trade Rumors(Ulrich)​

Trade down with the New England Patriots(Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona)

Round 2(#38): Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M(Draft profile)

The Commanders made several blockbuster moves this offseason but the one area they haven’t addressed in that fashion yet is edge rusher. Scourton is an interesting projection, as it’s not clear what his best weight as a pro is. What is clear is that he’s a quality athlete and football player who can make a lot of things work. Commanders HC Dan Quinn has a history of getting the best out of players and there could be a lot there with Scourton.

Round 2(#61): Wyatt Milum, G, West Virginia

Washington’s offensive line over-achieved last year and played a big role in how the team exceeded expectations as a whole. But the Commanders made it clear with the trade for LT Laremy Tunsil they wouldn’t just be content with the status quo, and they could look for additional reinforcements in the draft. Milum was a college tackle who will move inside to guard in the NFL due to a lack of length. He makes up for it with tenacity, however.

CBS Sports(Fornelli)​

Trade down with the New Orleans Saints who select Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Going after a QB at nine didn’t make sense for the Saints, but trading back into the end of the first round to get one would. The Saints get Dart whom they could groom for a year behind Derek Carr (or start if Carr isn’t healthy) while the Commanders add picks (they only have five).

CBS Sports(White)​

Trade down with the Philadelphia Eagles who select Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Intra-division trades do happen in the draft, even in the first round — who can forget the draft day sequence that saw the Eagles hop the Giants for DeVonta Smith by trading with the Cowboys, who got the last laugh with Micah Parsons two picks later? This is lower stakes with the two top NFC East contenders swapping places as the Eagles trade No. 134 to move up three spots for their latest Georgia defender despite being favored to go DL/edge first.

SiriusXM(Kirwan/Miller)​

pic.twitter.com/NQ4hyDEhfb

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) April 12, 2025

Round 2(#34): Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Round 2(#61): Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College

Pro Football Network(Bearman)​

Cleveland trades No. 33 and a 2026 third-round pick to Washington for No. 29(Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss)

Football Guys(Song)​

Trade down with the Cleveland Browns who select Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Daily Press(Vosburg)​

Trade down with the Denver Broncos who select Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

---

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State(Draft profile)​

The Athletic(Brugler)​

It was hard to pass on Donovan Ezeiruaku, who would fill a big need for the Commanders at pass rusher. But the idea of adding a polished receiver such as Egbuka would be an appealing option — and would move Washington one step closer to an all-Ohio State receiving depth chart.

Round 2: Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA(Draft profile)

Round 4: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Round 6: Jackson Kaiser, LB, Notre Dame

Round 7: Jonah Monheim, OL, USC

CBS Sports(Renner)​

Egbuka may not be Terry McLaurin, but he doesn’t have to be in the offense. He’s a reliable number two and plus run-blocker.

Round 2: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Walter Football(Campbell)​

Deebo Samuel is nearing the end of his contract, and the Commanders could use more weapons for Jayden Daniels.

In 2023, Egbuka had 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder turned in 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. He emerged as a potential No. 1 receiver or really good No. 2 wideout. At other schools, Egbuka would have had an even bigger year, but he was the No. 2 receiver for Ohio State across from Marvin Harrison Jr. While injuries were a factor in 2023, Egbuka needs a bounce-back season in 2024 as he looked much faster in 2022 compared to his 2023 performance. Thus far in 2024, Egbuka has 70 catches for 896 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Round 2: Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona

Washington could use more right tackle talent.

Savaiinaea broke into the starting lineup at right tackle in 2022 and immediately was a solid contributor for the Wildcats. As a sophomore in 2023, Savaiinaea was even better teaming with Jordan Morgan to give Arizona an effective tackle tandem. Savaiinaea is not as good of an athlete as Morgan, but Savaiinaea is stronger, nastier, and looks to finish off defenders. Some area scouts are grading Savaiinaea on day two and think he should move inside to guard in the NFL. Other sources think he could be a late one and a good starting guard in the NFL. Thus, Savaiinaea is a bit of a love/hate prospect.

Pro Football Network(Infante)​

Jayden Daniels, Dan Quinn, and the Washington Commanders exceeded expectations in 2024. While they fell just short of the Super Bowl, a few more smart moves could push them over the top.

Emeka Egbuka is a sturdy, reliable receiver with good hands and quick lateral movements as both a route runner and a ball carrier. Don’t let the hype around his past and current Buckeyes teammates fool you; Egbuka’s tape looks the part of a future NFL starting wide receiver.

Round 2: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

After going offense in the first round of this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, it could make sense for the Commanders to invest in their secondary in Round 2.

He may be raw as a processor in coverage, but the upside with Darien Porter is immense. A former wide receiver at the college level, he has tremendous length and ball skills with the raw track speed to give him physical tools worth developing.

Round 4: David Walker, EDGE, Central Arkansas

Round 6: Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware

Round 7: Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy

NFL Spin Zone(Scataglia)​

Emeka Egbuka on the Washington Commanders feels like a logical fit. They also traded for Deebo Samuel, so the WR room now has a three-headed monster featuring Egbuka, Samuel, and Terry McLaurin.

VSiN(Youmans)​

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas​

NFL Spin Zone(Bedinger)​

The Washington Commanders stay put with the 29th overall pick and still somehow manage to land arguably the best wide receiver in the class. Matthew Golden worked primarily out of the slot for the Texas Longhorns but flashed “go-to” abilities. He’s got outstanding long speed, great hands, and he’s tough. He’s a reliable target and someone Jayden Daniels will be able to trust in big spots. The Commanders already traded for Deebo Samuel to add to their offensive weaponry, but they can’t pass on this value.

Round 2: Jordan Burch, EDGE/DL, Oregon

Sports Illustrated(Joyce)​

Edge is on the board here, but Washington currently has Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel on expiring deals heading into 2025. Golden provides another weapon to an offense that featured last year’s rookie of the year. Add 4.29 speed is never a bad thing either.

Fantasy Pros(Janvrin)​

The Commanders traded for Deebo Samuel, but I do have questions regarding how much longer he can hold up. The Commanders could use another outside receiver in place of Noah Brown. The Commanders don’t have a speed threat with Dyami Brown leaving, and Golden fills that need as the team pushes to have even more success in 2025.

New York Post(Serby)​

A 4.29 flyer to replace Dyami Brown for Jayden Daniels.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State​

Pro Football Focus(Wasserman)​

Adding another weapon like Jayden Higgins — who earned a perfect 99.9 intermediate receiving grade last season — would give Jayden Daniels the ability to consistently attack all three levels of the defense. Terry McLaurin could continue stretching the field as a deep threat, while Deebo Samuel thrives underneath with yards after the catch. Higgins’ ability to win in isolation would bring yet another dynamic element to an already dangerous offense.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State(Draft profile)​

Sports Illustrated(Harrison)​

The Commanders continue to ensure quarterback Jayden Daniels is well-supported. So at the end of the first round, Washington gets a back with three-down potential who is the best pass protector in his group.

College Football Network(Jones)​

TreVeyon Henderson adds a splash of stardust to the Commanders’ high-performing offense. The Ohio State running back has explosive speed, instant change of direction, and sudden movement, meaning He could hit a home run on any down.

Henderson is also the best pass-protecting back in this class and is a clean receiver who takes care of the football.

Round 2: Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina​

Yahoo Sports(Tice/Robinson)​

This might feel like a luxury pick given the Commanders’ needs elsewhere, but they would have some serious horsepower on offense with the addition of Hampton. He has been a star of the draft process coming off the backs of a dominant season running the ball for UNC. Hampton paired with Jayden Daniels would give the Commanders a chance to repeat last season and cement themselves as an elite running team for years to come.

NFL Spin Zone(Bedinger)​

If the Washington Commanders are sitting there with the 29th overall pick and a chance to select Omarion Hampton, they’d probably be wondering if they were living in a simulation instead of reality.

How could this even be possible?

Hampton is considered one of the best offensive weapons in this class. The Commanders might actually have to trade up to get him if they want him, but he would be a stellar pickup for this offense late in round one.

Hampton is one of the best backs in this class at creating yardage after contact, and that’s saying something considering this class also includes the likes of Ashton Jeanty and Kaleb Johnson, two absolute demons at creating yardage after contact.

He would work so well with Jayden Daniels and give this Commanders offense yet another dynamic weapon to run up the scoreboard this coming season. How would you stop a running game with Hampton and Daniels leading the way?

Round 2: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

Sportskeeda(Pauline)​

With the top pass rushers off the board, the Commanders add a weapon on offense.

Round 2: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

NJ.com(Novozinsky)​

Washington’s high-powered offense gets even better.

Fantasy Sports on SI(Brandon)​

I believe Hampton is the second-best running back in this year’s draft class behind Ashton Jeanty and although the Commanders have other holes on the roster, this pick could put Washington’s offense over the top. Hampton is extremely talented in between the tackles with great vision, solid pass protection skills, and is a monster once he gets the ball in space. With Jayden Daniels under center, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel on the outside, and Hampton in the backfield, the Commanders would have one of the best offenses in the NFC.

Establish the Run(Daigle)​

Making life easier for their franchise QB during his rookie deal continues to take priority in Washington, gifting Jayden Daniels another piece who can explode upfield from underneath. Hampton encouragingly handled 282 or more touches in each of his last two seasons with the Tar Heels, hauling in 29 and 38 catches in that time.

Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State​

DraftTek​

General Manager Adam Peters did an excellent job filling in major gaps all over this Washington roster in the offseason, positioning the team to draft based on their board come April 24th. While these holes have been filled, the solutions he signed are far more Band-Aid options than long-term solutions. In addition, in acquiring Lattimore, Samuel, and Tunsil, a whopping seven draft picks were traded away.

As a result, I think Peters and Co. want to trade down desperately in order to recoup picks. This Draft is unique in that players 10-60 are fairly similar prospects, so it’s unlikely that there’s a ‘can’t-miss’ prospect waiting for the Commanders at 29. If the team doesn’t trade down I expect the pick to be in the trenches or at corner.

Here, Ohio State OT Josh Simmons would be tough to pass up. A consensus top-5 pick heading into the year, Simmons tore his patellar tendon on October 12th, sending his stock to the lower end of Round 1. While the Commanders have Tunsil at LT for the foreseeable future and a possible young stalwart at RT in Brandon Coleman, the addition of a possible top-five tackle prospect at 29 would be quite a value, and as Peters showed last year in his pick of DT Johnny Newton, he isn’t afraid to add to a position of strength.

If Simmons is ready to go, he could play at either guard spot or at RT, sliding Coleman into guard. No matter where Simmons lines up, he makes Jayden Daniels’ offense significantly better.

Round 2: Shemar Turner, DL, Texas A&M

Round 4: Tyler Baron, EDGE, Florida

Round 6: Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia

Round 7: Jason Marshall Jr, CB, Florida

Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon​

Football Guys(Bitonti)​

The Commanders traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, but Sam Cosmi tore his ACL in the playoffs. Assuming Brandon Coleman takes over at right tackle, the options to replace Cosmi include Trent Scott, Andrew Wylie, and Cornelius Lucas. They can’t afford for that wound to fester. Conerly starts at guard and eventually bumps outside.

Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota​

Palm Beach Post(Schad)​

Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State​

Sports Illustrated(Landis)​

Needing to protect Jayden Daniels, the Commanders get an athletic and versatile lineman who can play either guard or tackle.

---

Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College​

NFL.com(Rueter)​

Ezeiruaku brings speed off the edge as well as a very effective spin move. In Washington, he could be used as a designated pass rusher as a rookie, giving the team needed juice after losing leading 2024 sacker Dante Fowler in free agency.

Round 2: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Round 4: Jason Marshall Jr, CB, Florida

Round 6: Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas

Round 7: LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse

CBS Sports(Podell)​

With Dante Fowler Jr., Washington’s 2024 sacks leader with 10.5, returning to the Cowboys, the Commanders need to acquire a young edge rusher. Enter James Pearce. He is a two-time All-SEC player who led the conference in tackles for loss (28) and quarterback pressures (107) across the last two seasons. The reason he falls this low in the draft is because he needs to improve his technique since he plays too stiff and upright at times. Dan Quinn feels he can fix him and selects him here.

CBS Sports(Dajani)​

The Commanders need to upgrade at pass rusher, and Donovan Ezeiruaku was a 2024 Consensus All-American last season that also won ACC Defensive Player of the Year following a historic campaign in which he recorded 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss.

CBS Sports(Dubin)​

The Commies still need to find a way to get some pressure on opposing quarterbacks and Ezeiruaku should help there. He was one of the best pass rushers in the country in 2024.

SB Nation(Acosta)​

The Commanders need to turn up their pass rush, especially with Dante Fowler Jr and Jonathan Allen both gone. Ezeiruaku is a violent player with speed and burst around the edge, but has long arms and the disposition to play the run as well.

Walter Football​

The Redskins need to improve their defense, and specifically, their pass rush. They’ve brought in plenty of edge rushers for visits during the pre-draft process.

Donovan Ezeiruaku is a terrific edge rusher, but has some size limitations.

Round 2: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

The Redskins have a hole in their secondary. They need a new safety to pair with Quan Martin.

Xavier Watts is a dangerous ballhawk who made lots of plays for Notre Dame.

Round 4: Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan

The Redskins don’t have the best running game, so they could address this in the middle rounds.

Donovan Edwards has a great combination of size and speed.

Round 6: Jaylin Smith, CB, USC

The Redskins don’t have many draft picks, but one of them should be used on a cornerback.

Jaylin Smith needs to get stronger for the next level.

Establish the Run(Silva)​

2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Ted Hendricks Award winner as the nation’s top defensive end. Outside rusher is a big need for Washington opposite Dorance Armstrong.

Fantasy Pros(Weyrauch)​

The Commanders made a valiant effort to reach the Super Bowl but ultimately fell short. Improving their pass rush could be a key focus for them as they approach this offseason. Donovan Ezeiruaku put up 14 sacks in Power 5 play this season.

Pro Football Rumors(Allen)​

Despite Washington’s trip to the NFC championship game last year, the team could stand to improve in several areas. The offensive skill positions are all pretty good, and the addition of Laremy Tunsil certainly helps, but the offensive line as a whole is just OK. Similarly, the secondary is alright but not great and could use improvements at cornerback, like Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston or Ole Miss’ Trey Amos. On paper, the defensive line (from left to right, Clelin Ferrell–Daron Payne–Javon Kinlaw–Dorance Armstrong) feels like a strength, but these veterans have lacked consistency over the past few years.

As long as the Commanders, who have just five picks in this draft, don’t trade down to collect more draft capital, Ezeiruaku feels like the player who can add the most value at this point in the draft. A consensus All-American, Ezeiruaku finished a half-sack behind Green for the nation lead last year with 16.5. His 20.5 tackles for loss in 2024 were good for fourth in the country behind Carter (23.5), Green (22.5), and Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau (21.5). With Dante Fowler and his 10.5 sacks headed back to Dallas, the team’s top returning sack artists at defensive end are Armstrong (five in 2024) and Ferrell (3.5). Ezeiruaku may not start immediately, but he should be able to provide some much-needed production, even if he’s coming in off the bench.

Takeaways​

I seem to be sending edge rushers flying off the board right now, as this is our third in a row. That’s a premium position for anyone, especially playoff teams trying to win it all. It also just so happens that these potential contenders all need help at that spot, and Ezeiruaku was highly productive in college. While Mike Green had the most sacks in the FBS, Ezeiruaku led the Power 4. As with our last two players, he needs to do better in the strength department. However, his bend around the edge is excellent, and his motor never quits. I’m expecting a bit of sack production based on pure effort alone.

Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M​

CBS Sports(Benjamin)​

The Commanders aren’t averse to investing in high-profile, if inconsistent, prospects (see: Javon Kinlaw). Also needing a bona fide edge rusher, they could trust Dan Quinn to get the most out of Stewart, a freak athlete with low sack numbers.

CBS Sports(Wilson)​

For an edge rusher Stewart is enormous. He’ll play too high at times but he can collapse the pocket with his size/power/strength. He’s got a quick first step, even for his size, with the power to shoot gaps. And when the bull rush doesn’t get home, his huge frame allows him to knock down passes. He has a hair-on-fire motor who consistently plays with power and athleticism.

Round 2: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

USA Today(Brinkerhoff)​

The Commanders are the beneficiary of another draft fall, pouncing on the potential that Stewart offers off the edge. Washington went into the Detroit pick likely feeling good about filling their needs with Johnson or Stewart, but Dan Quinn’s defense would get a much-needed injection of youth and potential in their pass rush with the Texas A&M product.

USA Today(Dragon)​

The Commanders lost their sack leader Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency. Stewart’s college production raises some questions (only 4.5 sacks in three seasons), but he possesses high upside.

Fox Sports(Wright)​

The Huddle(Dorey)​

James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee​

NFL.com(Rank)​

The offense is looking really good, Commanders, now that you’ve bolstered the line with Laremy Tunsil and brought in Deebo Samuel to go opposite Terry McLaurin. I wouldn’t rule out taking a running back or another offensive stud here. However, you need to play some defense. Pearce could help boost the pass rush after the loss of 2024 sack leader Dante Fowler and two-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen.

USA Today(McKessy)​

Washington needs to bring in pass-rushing reinforcements after losing sack leader Dante Fowler Jr. to the Cowboys in free agency. Enter James Pearce Jr., who’s a lengthy edge rusher with tons of explosiveness coming off a first-team All-SEC season that featured 13 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks. With some added strength and developed technique, he has a future as a dangerous weapon off the edge in Washington.

Sports Illustrated(Fabiano)​

I see a lot of mocks where the Commanders take a wide receiver, but I don’t love that much from a fantasy standpoint with Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. already on the team. The odds like Washington to go with a DL/EDGE rusher (+180 at FD) or an offensive lineman (+320 at FD), but I’ll go with the former. Based on this mock draft, Pearce Jr. would be the best DL/EDGE left.

The 33rd Team(Mosher)​

Dan Quinn has had a lot of success with twitchy, undersized EDGE rushers, and Pearce certainly qualifies. He’s likely not an every-down player right away, as he needs to put on some weight.

Still, he can bend around the edge and create havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Pearce could fall further than this, but the Commanders are a good landing spot for him and his talent.

Sharp Football Analysis(Donahue)​

One of the aforementioned defensive linemen that may have a higher ceiling is Pearce Jr, but some character concerns may push him down the board.

However, Washington has a glaring need at the position and could be willing to take on the risk.

Pearce Jr. had the second-highest pressure rate in FBS last season.

Defensive Line/EDGE to be the first position selected by Washington is favored at +165.

FOX Sports(Schwartz)​

The Commanders will add the best available pass rusher here, and that should be Pearce.

Draft Sharks(Hallam)​

Pearce has some personality issues, but the Commanders culture has been strengthened. From a talent perspective, Pearce showcased his skills living in the backfield in the SEC.

Round 2: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

Round 4: Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon

Johnson is small and slow, but he is certainly quick. The Commanders get a potential slot option down the line.

Round 6: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas

Blue’s speed and pass catching could be enough to make the roster for the Commanders.

Round 7: Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State

Fitzgerald won’t kick the long FG, but he is reliable from close up. Drafted to compete for the job.

Newsweek(Quinn)​

Pearce is a polarizing prospect who at one point was considered a potential top ten pick. He clearly has the talent of a top edge rusher, but character concerns and his run-stopping ability hurt his draft stock for this year’s draft.

Fantasy Pros(Jones)​

After making a surprisingly deep playoff run, Washington blew a ton of money and picks upgrading their team this offseason. Outside of perhaps left guard or right tackle, they look good on offense.

They could look for an impact player at defensive end or cornerback to build around long-term, despite having veteran stop-gaps like Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones there. Getting an explosive Leo to complement their high-scoring offense would be nice.

Fantasy Life(Freedman)​

Pearce was moderately productive over his final two college seasons with 17.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss, but it’s his combine performance (4.47-second 40-yard dash at 6-5, 245 lbs.) that makes him likely to go on Day 1.

Defensive HC Dan Quinn will likely relish the opportunity to add Pearce to his DL, which has been almost entirely turned over since last offseason. With Pearce, Quinn will have another foundational building block for his defense.

Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall​

USA Today(Middlehurst-Schwartz)​

Two sexual assault allegations could complicate Green’s draft outlook. But if he’s available at this point – and there’s a chance that his range is closer to the teens – and the Commanders are comfortable with the selection, the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in sacks could be a critical cornerstone for a pass rush that lacks a dynamic presence.

Pro Football Network(Sheath)​

A former wide receiver, Green’s speed and agility helped him amass 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in 2024. His physical measurements will likely see him overlooked by some teams, but his production is impossible to ignore.

After losing Dante Fowler Jr., who led the team with 10.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2024, the Washington Commanders could take a chance on Green. The team could easily take a receiver here if they like the available options, but Fowler’s production is a lot to lose. The intriguing Green adds a speed element to the Commanders’ pass rush.

Round 2: Jack Bech, WR, TCU

OutKick(Zaksheske)​

What a debut season for Jayden Daniels! But the Commanders can’t get complacent; we all saw the step backwards taken by the Texans with C.J. Stroud in season two. The offense wasn’t the issue, though, it was the defense. Getting a guy like Green who can get after the passer is an important need for Washington.

Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M(Draft profile)​

Newsweek(Lazenby)​

The Commanders were the surprise of the NFL in 2024 and the team will look to build on that in 2025. Adding a toolsy edge-rusher like Nic Scourton could help that, as the team desperately needs a more consistent pass-rush.

Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA(Draft profile)​

The Draft Network(Fowler)​

The tea leaves continue to connect Femi Oladejo to Washington, who seamlessly fits general manager Adam Peters’ on and off-field culture. James Pearce Jr. is a name to watch here as well, but Oladejo’s projectability as a pass rusher, ability to set the edge on early downs, experience at different alignments (former ILB), and leadership qualities paint the picture of everything Washington wants in a ballplayer. Trading back is a high possibility here as well with limited overall draft capital in Peters’ pocket.

Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia ​

Sports Illustrated(Martuneac)​

I almost went with a defensive back here, but Williams provides too much potential value at 29th overall and the Commanders need more talent on the D-line.

FTN Fantasy(Randle)​

Edge rusher in the No. 1 need for Washington. Easier to find wide receivers later in the draft or via free agency.

Draft Countdown(Lamb)​

Round 2: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF

Round 4: Connor Colby, OL, Iowa

Round 6: KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn

Round 7: Moliki Matavao, TE, UCLA

JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State​

NFL.com(Ross)​

Maybe the most underrated player in this draft class. Tuimoloau joins Dan Quinn’s defensive front as a hard-nosed and productive talent. Filling a big need in Washington, JTT — who registered 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss during Ohio State’s four-game playoff run — could start immediately for the Commanders, whose DE depth chart is littered with NFL journeymen.

Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville​

CBS Sports(Hunt)​

Here’s a surprise pick in this mock draft, with Gillotte going to the Commanders. I don’t think enough folks are talking about how consistently excellent his tape is with regards to him coming off the edge. There’s always a surprise first-rounder in every draft, and the talented EDGE out of Louisville would be my pick.

Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss​

USA Today(Davis)​

They’ve got a lot of money tied up in DTs Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw, yet neither has shown the consistent ability to be a disruptive player (aside from Payne’s Pro Bowl production in 2022). Nolen (6-4, 296), a 2024 All-American, has the talent to create a lot more havoc up the gut (10½ sacks and 2023 TFLs since 2023).

CBS Sports(Kerr)​

Nolen is physical on the defensive interior, showcasing the burst off the line of scrimmage and the power to make life tough on guards and centers. Commanders could use this to compete against the Eagles.

Mock Draft HQ​

A former five-star talent, Nolen gives Washington a disruptive force inside. After trading away key defensive linemen, this pick helps rebuild that once-feared front.

Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi​

The Huddle(Bonini)​

Shavon Revel Jr, CB, East Carolina​

NFL.com(Filice)​

An impressive physical specimen at a hair under 6-2 with pterodactyl length, Revel was poised to make a national name for himself in 2024. But then he tore his ACL during a practice in September, prematurely ending his final season at ECU and preventing him from showing his wares in the pre-draft process. Out of sight, but not out of mind. I anticipate a playoff team scooping him up in the back stretch of Round 1 as a long-term value pick with a potentially massive ROI. And a traitsy corner with serious press-man upside seems like something Dan Quinn could be interested in.

USA Today(Ostly)​

Washington’s defense needs lots of reinforcements at multiple spots but, in a division featuring lots of receiver talent, it opts for the long, fast, hard-hitting Revel. The East Carolina product would likely go higher in this class if not for a season-ending ACL injury suffered in September 2024. He’s built to excel in Dan Quinn’s style of coverage.

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky​

Pro Football Focus(Plocher)​

The Commanders didn’t have a single secondary player with a PFF coverage grade above 65.0 in 2024. Hairston’s 2024 campaign was shortened by injury, but he posted an 85.3 PFF coverage grade along with five interceptions and four pass breakups in 2023.

Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas​

Sports Illustrated(Landis)​

Washington was one of the top pass defenses in the league last season, but they get a player that Dan Quinn will love having on his unit. Barron will likely be a slot at the next level, but he can play anywhere in the secondary.

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina​

NFL.com(Band)​

Dan Quinn has long leaned on hybrid safeties with size and range — think Kam Chancellor, Keanu Neal, Donovan Wilson and Jeremy Chinn — to serve as tone-setters in his single-high-heavy scheme. Emmanwori fits that mold, offering versatility as a box defender or big nickel in sub-packages. GM Adam Peters shores up a secondary that allowed a league-worst 146.8 passer rating on throws of 10-plus air yards to the deep middle last season, per Next Gen Stats.

The 33rd Team(Foster)​

Nick Emmanwori was built in a lab to play safety for Dan Quinn. He’s a Swiss army knife who can plug into any spot on the back-seven and is essentially immune to mismatches.

He can defend the sidelines as a deep safety, play press-man on tight ends, drive on in-breaking routes as a robber, and shed blocks and fit the run like a linebacker.

Round 2: Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU

Chicago Tribune(Biggs)​

The Commanders could be in the market for defensive line help, but coach Dan Quinn loves hybrid-type safeties. Emmanwori is versatile and physical and would be a great replacement for Jeremy Chinn on the back end of the defense.

Underdog Network(Winks)​

They lost do-everything S Jeremy Chinn this offseason, and Emmanwori is a bigger and more athletic version of that role if he hits.

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia​

The 33rd Team(Crabbs)​

Washington aggressively addressed a number of its most pressing needs with trades. Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel changed the game offensively for the Commanders.

But on defense, Dan Quinn’s unit is missing a secondary quarterback. Starks is a highly cerebral player who should be a match made in heaven with Quinn.

Round 2: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Round 4: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

Round 6: Chimere Dike, WR, Florida

Round 7: Myles Hinton, OT, Michigan

Pro Football Network(DeLeone)​

Starks has the coverage ability and overall instincts to become one of the best safeties in the NFL. Luckily for the Commanders, he falls right into their lap, and they can reap the rewards of safeties being consistently overlooked in the draft.

Round 2: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State(Draft profile)

Bleacher Nation(Rooney)​

Not many people know how to coach and develop safeties like Dan Quinn. Malaki Starks is a very high-level talent who has a versatile skillset. He’s a very smart defender and is great at positioning himself and locating the ball in pass coverage. I think while this might not be Washington’s biggest need, Quinn would love to get a player of Starks’ caliber on his defense.

Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama​

Pro Football Network​

The Washington Commanders are in the strange position of being a contending team without too many long-term building blocks in place. As such, the Commanders can feasibly lean toward picking the best available player without worrying too much about roster needs.

Even with Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu set to return at linebacker in 2025, drafting the consensus top off-ball linebacker in Jihaad Campbell would be a great succession plan.

Campbell also brings some pass-rush ability, which would be useful for a Washington defense that blitzed at the sixth-highest rate (32%) in 2024. However, his calling card is his sideline-to-sideline range in a prototypical linebacker body — a rare quality in a league where linebackers get smaller every year. Campbell wouldn’t have pressure to play right away, but could quickly grow into the centerpiece of Dan Quinn’s defense.

Round 2: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

A big part of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ championship run in 2024 was their ground game, and running back Quinshon Judkins played a massive role in their success. The Ole Miss transfer finished with 1,060 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 194 carries during his only season with the Buckeyes, forming a dynamic backfield tandem with Tre’Veyon Henderson.

One of the trickiest quandaries for talent evaluators in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle is ranking the two-headed RB tandem at Ohio State. Judkins comes in as the second-best of the two on our board, but he’s compelling as an early-round option in his own right. Judkins rode his historic early production to an opportunity with the Buckeyes in 2024, and he was able to win a national championship while sharing touches with Henderson. His production dipped, but his projection remains tantalizing for scouts.

At 6’0″, 221 pounds, Judkins is a hyper-energetic, short-strider with elite burst and searing speed through gaps. He’s not an adept creator when things go off-script, but when things are on schedule, he’s a super-charged carving knife with his keen vision and quick pace.

Considering the Commanders don’t have a single running back under contract past 2025, drafting their potential future starter in the backfield figures to be a priority at some point. Judkins can maximize his potential with better technique, and splitting touches with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler for a year can help him develop those traits. Down the road, it wouldn’t be surprising if he formed an imposing thunder-and-lightning rushing duo with Jayden Daniels.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/19...-popular-option-for-the-washington-commanders

 

[Washington Commanders]

Daily Slop - 20 Apr 25

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Happy Easter! pic.twitter.com/5fBHq8UAZU

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 20, 2025​

Commanders links​

Articles​

Riggo’s Rag​

Commanders projected to take Jayden Higgins in major NFL Draft surprise​

This was a topic discussed by Dalton Wasserman from Pro Football Focus. The analyst pitched a massive draft curveball for the Commanders, with Jayden Higgins touted as someone who could round off the receiver room nicely.

“Adding another weapon like Jayden Higgins — who earned a perfect 99.9 intermediate receiving grade last season — would give Jayden Daniels the ability to consistently attack all three levels of the defense. Terry McLaurin could continue stretching the field as a deep threat, while Deebo Samuel thrives underneath with yards after the catch. Higgins’ ability to win in isolation would bring yet another dynamic element to an already dangerous offense.”

Higgins is projected to be a Day 2 selection by most analysts. But with the Commanders picking at No. 61 overall, taking him at No. 29 might not be so far-fetched if they believe he won’t last that long.

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Commanders Wire​

6 running backs the Commanders could target after the 1st round​

Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State​

The other Ohio State running back, Judkins will hear his name called early on Day 2. While not quite as fast as Henderson, Judkins isn’t slow, running a 4.48 40-yard dash. His overall testing numbers at the NFL combine were excellent across the board. He’s big, strong, can break tackles and keep the chains moving. Judkins is a future NFL lead back.

Kaleb Johnson, Iowa​

Johnson doesn’t appear to fit what everyone thinks the Commanders want and need. A talented back, Johnson can certainly play every down, but he’s not a big-play back. He has great size (6-foot-1, 224 pounds), but doesn’t always run as big as his size suggests. The Commanders did host Johnson on a pre-draft visit. You don’t do that without interest. Johnson was productive for multiple years in the Big Ten. He can play.

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Riggo’s Rag​

Notorious Commanders critic outlines perfect NFL Draft scenario for Adam Peters​

NFL.com’s Adam Rank has Washington taking a coveted pass-rushing prize late in the first round.

Adam Rank of NFL.com may not be the most popular league analyst among Washington Commanders fans. His history of consistently picking against the rising squad last season was renowned, which lasted throughout last season’s memorable 12-5 campaign and run to the NFC Championship game.

That said, in Rank’s latest mock draft, he has tossed the Commanders a bone by allowing one of the league’s top pass-rushing prospects to fall to No. 29 overall. The pick is Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr.

“The offense is looking really good, Commanders, now that you’ve bolstered the line with Laremy Tunsil and brought in Deebo Samuel to go opposite Terry McLaurin. I wouldn’t rule out taking a running back or another offensive stud here. However, you need to play some defense. Pearce could help boost the pass rush after the loss of 2024 sack leader Dante Fowler and two-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen.”

Adam Rank

Pearce is quite arguably the best edge rusher in his class not named Abdul Carter, who will almost certainly be a top-three pick.

He’s only 21 years old after bypassing his final season of college eligibility to declare for the draft. The explosive edge force will become a long-term investment for any team that selects him, with an upside that may not be reached right away in the NFL.

That might not make him the greatest fit for the win-now Commanders. At the same time, this is a team that could use some youth to develop.

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Podcasts & videos​

Commanders’ IOL BIG BOARD: Grey Zabel, Tate Ratledge, Donovan Jackson Among Best Fits in Draft​

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NFC East links​

Bleeding Green Nation​

Ranking 19 offensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft​

Tier 3​

8. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, 6-3 5/8 315

Overall: Donovan Jackson is a well-built lineman with over 50 games of experience and the football IQ to start in the NFL. While not a dominant mauler, his anchor and steady hands in pass pro make him a reliable guard with possible tackle flexibility.

9. Tate Ratledge, Georgia, 6-6 1/2 308

Overall: Ratledge is a physical interior right guard with NFL-level play strength, quick eyes, and a physical play style that shows up especially well against power. Though he lacks ideal length and has mostly played only right guard, he makes up for it with the quickness and athleticism to reset and recover within the rep. If he stays healthy, Ratledge projects as a dependable starting right guard.

10. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, 6-6 1/4 331

Overall: Aireontae Ersery is a massive, athletic tackle with a powerful punch, natural size, and good movement skills. If he can clean up his hand usage, strike timing, and redirect ability, he has all the tools to develop into a long-term NFL starter — but he’ll need time and coaching.

11. Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona, 6-4 1/8 324

Overall: Savaiinaea is a well-built, competitive lineman with starter-caliber tools out of the gate. While he has held up at guard and tackle in college, his physical profile and skill set project best to guard, where he can stay square and rely less on lateral quickness. He may not be an immediate run game mauler, which limits his upside, but he has enough size and ability to start early.

Breaking News: A reliable source tells @FitzyGFY if Abdul Carter falls to the Patriots at #4 the Philadelphia Eagles could trade AJ Brown to New England to move up and take the star pass rusher pic.twitter.com/SO05sJB9zb

— WEEI Afternoons (@WEEIAfternoons) April 18, 2025​

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Big Blue View​

Survey results: Just 5% of fans think Shedeur Sanders will be a Giant​

Without knowing the odds, we asked the Big Blue View community which position they believe the Giants will select first.

The answer is overwhelmingly “edge”.

That corresponds with the deluge of recent mock drafts connecting Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter to the Giants. Vegas agrees and has Carter as the heavy favorite (-600) to be drafted third overall.

Cornerback — in other words, Travis Hunter — came in a distant second. However, it seems unlikely that Hunter will be available at third overall after Browns GM Andrew Berry publicly compared him to LA Dodgers star two-way player Shohei Ohtani.

Here at Big Blue View, we tend to think that even if the Giants don’t draft a quarterback with their first pick, they’ll still be drafting one highly.

Interestingly, fans heavily believe that it will be Jalen Milroe.

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NFL league links​

Articles​

NFL.com​

2025 NFL Draft: All-Pros, Pro Bowlers and overachievers in this class​

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Front Office Sports​

Shannon Sharpe Eyes $100M+ Podcast Deal As Volume Contract Expires​

The Pro Football Hall of Famer has become one of the world’s most successful podcasters while also appearing on ESPN shows like “First Take.”

Shannon Sharpe’s media deal with Colin Cowherd’s The Volume podcast network is up. Sources tell Front Office Sports the Pro Football Hall of Famer has received multiple offers and is expected to sign a deal that would exceed $100 million.

Sharpe partnered with The Volume in August 2023, several months after leaving FS1’s Undisputed, where he broke out opposite Skip Bayless. Club Shay Shay immediately took off to become one of the biggest podcasts in sports and entertainment, particularly on YouTube, where it’s a juggernaut.

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Discussion topics​

"I've been very up front with the Steelers and there's been no deadline..

I've talked to Mike Tomlin many times"@AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive https://t.co/0E0mW0HRmU pic.twitter.com/FlB3oYhOft

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 17, 2025​

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All aTwitter​

feels like just yesterday pic.twitter.com/yhk5AgALnE

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 19, 2025​

The 2025 NFL Draft could feature one of the most unpredictable first rounds in recent memory. @TomPelissero spotlights five prospects who could surprisingly come off the board in the first 32 picks, including one well-traveled quarterbackhttps://t.co/jezXnCANNo pic.twitter.com/EYedQDHvwc

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 20, 2025​

Now that the NFL draft is four days away, this is the closest to the start of it that there have been no trades for first-round picks in the Common Draft Era, per ESPN’s @EpKap.

The Joe Montana trade in 1993 came five days before the draft; this year now has surpassed that. pic.twitter.com/ARb2qEWzTF

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 20, 2025​

The 2025 Consensus Big Board is live! Will keep updating it until the day of the draft with more boards and pieces examining the insights we've developed from it.https://t.co/qleV76yHyL

— Arif Hasan, but NFL (@ArifHasanNFL) April 20, 2025​

posting a photo from last season every day until OTAs pic.twitter.com/9tHzkUDF3C

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 19, 2025​

Big sale on Washington Commanders @Nike gear over at @fanatics with a lot of jerseys, hats, and more 20% off! #RaiseHailhttps://t.co/L9eFqIji4l pic.twitter.com/jzF9tSgdSJ

— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) April 16, 2025​

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/20/24405848/daily-slop-20-apr-25

 

[Washington Commanders]

Will Dont’e Thornton Jr. be the Commanders New Deep Threat?

Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR

School: University of Tennessee| Conference: Southeastern

College Experience: Senior | Age: 22 (Week 1)

Height / Weight: 6’5”/ 205 lbs

Projected Draft Status: 4th-6th round

Player Comparison: Martavius Bryant / Devaughn Vele

College Statistics​

Receiving	Rushing	Scrimmage
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Y/G	Att	Yds	Y/A	TD	Y/G	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD	Awards
2021*	Oregon	Pac-12	FR	WR	14	9	175	19.4	2	12.5	0	0	0	0.0	9	175	19.4	2
2022*	Oregon	Pac-12	SO	WR	11	17	366	21.5	1	33.3	2	6	3.0	0	0.5	19	372	19.6	1
2023*	Tennessee	SEC	JR	WR	9	13	224	17.2	1	24.9	0	0	0	0.0	13	224	17.2	1
2024	Tennessee	SEC	SR	WR	13	26	661	25.4	6	50.8	0	0	0	0.0	26	661	25.4	6
Career	47	65	1426	21.9	10	30.3	2	6	3.0	0	0.1	67	1432	21.4	10
Oregon (2 Yrs)	25	26	541	20.8	3	21.6	2	6	3.0	0	0.2	28	547	19.5	3
Tennessee (2 Yrs)	22	39	885	22.7	7	40.2	0	0	0	0.0	39	885	22.7	7

Receiving & Rushing Table

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/20/2025.

Player Overview​

Baltimore-native Dont’e Thornton, Jr. was a four-star recruit from Mt. Saint Joseph HS (MD), he committed to playing for the University of Oregon Ducks for two seasons. He then transferred in 2023, to play the last two seasons with the University of Tennessee Volunteers. It was his final season, he turned heads with 26 receptions, 661 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns on an absurd FBS leading 25.4 yards/reception.

Dont’e Thornton Jr. is a tall receiver with big plays written all over him but with limited volume. He is the embodiment of a “height, weight, and speed” archetype of receiver. He couples his height with blistering speed to become a downfield mismatch. He is also adept at catching 50-50 balls against defenders. When he’s not catching, he is seeking out defenders to block with his tall frame. However, he was not asked to do much within Tennessee’s offensive system. Dont’e will have to show teams he is adept at running multiple routes in the tree to convince teams he is worth drafting before the late rounds. He is projected to be a Day 3 selection, depending on whether the drafting team sees him as a future starter or purely a developmental rotation receiver at the X-position. With development and opportunity, Thornton Jr. could become a starting receiver.

Washington met Dont’e Thornton multiple times during the draft offseason, from the East-West Shrine Game to inviting him to the local Pro Day at Ashburn.

Awards & Recognition​

• East-West Shrine Participant (2025)

Metrics​

Source: nfl.com

Dont'e Thornton is a WR prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.85 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 59 out of 3815 WR from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/gX0PGS6Yjj pic.twitter.com/gbr9Dc6Tla

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 12, 2025​

WR Prospects vs Man and Zone pic.twitter.com/CvXQL86B47

— Football Insights (@fball_insights) March 17, 2025​

Strengths​

• Big play waiting to happen. Led the nation with 25.4 yards per reception.
• Has all the physical attributes scouts want, height, weight, and speed, with a monster catch radius.
• 50-50 catcher with good concentration in traffic and soft hands.
• Willing blocker.
• Shown to have good hands at fending away initial presses.

Weaknesses​

• Absurdly low volume. Never had more than 26 receptions in a season.
• Mainly used as a vertical threat.
• Needs to prove he can win with other routes.
• Routes weren’t run with sharpness or quick snap.

Let’s See His Work​

Dont’e Thornton has otherworldly long speed and acceleration for a 6’5” WR.

He just straight up runs away from guys… the 4.30 40 isn’t surprising if you watched him this year. pic.twitter.com/UHZ1M53x5n

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 1, 2025​

.@Vol_Football WR Dont’e Thornton doing what he does best at @ShrineBowl: winning vertically

From the release to the hand swipes in the contact window, he knows how to win with more than just speed pic.twitter.com/xBvekc7zNU

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 26, 2025​

Interview​

How Will He Fit On The Team​

With the limited cache of draft selections and no guarantee on accruing more, Washington needs to be able to find as many contributors as possible. That could also mean taking some home run swings on a couple of riskier prospects. GM Adam Peters loves to take his late selection swings on the more athletically-gifted prospects. All combined should make Dont’e Thornton Jr. a great fit. The Commanders need a receiver who is tall, fast, and willing to catch the 50-50 ball downfield which Thornton checks all the boxes. Dont’e showed even in a limited usage, he could be an impactful player with only a few catches per game. Adding Thornton will give Washington a vertical field stretching receiver that can fill Dyami Brown’s role in the offense.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/21...-commanders-new-deep-threat-nfl-draft-profile

 

[Washington Commanders]

Daily Slop - 21 Apr 25 - It’s draft week!

Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Commanders links​

Articles​

Pro Football Talk​

Jayden Daniels: It’s a whole new year, I have to prove myself again​

“You’re always trying to find little ways to get better,” Daniels said on Gruden Goes Long. “For me, it’s like, ‘Last year was last year, that’s great.’ But it’s a whole new year now. I still got to go out there, I’ve gotta prove myself to my teammates, the organization, each and every day that I’m getting better. When it’s time to prepare and when those games come, I’ve got to know that, ‘Hey, how can I eliminate some tendencies?’ Stuff like that, because that’s the big thing. Coaches are always trying to find tendencies of what this player is going to do so they can anticipate and hopefully get you in that situation.”

It’s easy to imagine that having more time in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and the experience of an NFL season will make Daniels an even better player in 2025, but improvement isn’t guaranteed and other players have taken a step back once the league adjusts to them. Daniels’s awareness of that possibility should help his chances of avoiding it.

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Commanders Wire​

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels talks adversity and remaining consistent​

“I think where I found myself getting better was that rough stretch when we lost three in a row,” expressed Daniels. “Adversity is going to tell you a lot of who you are as a man. When we lost three in a row, we didn’t win for almost a month. You know, it sucks.”

Gruden bluntly asked Daniels, “How are you handling the success and keeping yourself focused?”

“None of this is going to happen without the play on the field,” replied Daniels. “So, you got to keep the main thing, the main thing. But I got a great team around me (personal), and Washington has a great PR (public relations) team. And obviously Dan Quinn and Adam Peters do a great job if I need something, or if I need help or advice, and I can go to them at any time.”

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Bullock’s Film Room​

Mock Draft Monday: 3 Commanders Mock Drafts​

Scenario 1​

I was hoping to get a trade back offer in this first scenario but the phone wasn’t ringing. One of the worst case scenarios for the Commanders happened here. All of the top edge rushers were gone. There was a run in the late teens on the top guys and then the Ravens took Donovan Ezeiruaku at 27 while the Lions took James Pearce Jr at 28. I probably wouldn’t have taken Pearce anyway, but it meant there wasn’t great value in an edge rusher at 29. With no trade offers available, I had to look at other positions. I strongly considered Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka as one of the top talents available, as well as UNC running back Omarion Hampton. But I decided to go defense.

First round, pick 29 - Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

I decided to go cornerback with my first pick instead of taking one of the offensive weapons available.

Scenario 2​

Having failed to land a trade in my first mock, I was more determined to trade back in my second. However, I got a rare and fun scenario worth taking a look at, so opted against trading back, despite having multiple offers to do so.

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Sports Illustrated​

Award winning offensive lineman says he’s met with Commanders​

In a recent interview with The Draft Network, Rimington Trophy-winning center Seth McLaughlin shared, “I’ve met with a handful of teams virtually since the NFL Combine. I recently met with the Commanders, Cowboys, and Saints. I’ve met with a good little group. I’ve had a lot of fun in those meetings.”

The Rimington Trohpy is awarded annualy to college football’s premier centers. The fact McLaughlin won the award despite suffering a season-ending injury in mid-November is both impressive and a testitment to his abilities.

Part of his skillset that has impressed evaluators this draft season is his football IQ, something he shared in the same interview is something he’s trying to showcase during these meetings.

“I’m an intelligent player, so it’s been fun to highlight my football IQ in those meetings. I’ve been breaking down film and explaining how we did things at Ohio State. I’ve been relaying that information back to NFL teams using their verbiage,” McLaughlin says.

McLaughlin, in part due to his injury which figures to keep him out of football activities until at least mid-August, is currently a Day 3 projection in the upcoming NFL Draft, but may be worth the gamble given his proven track record of success on the field.

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Podcasts & videos​

On video with ⁦@NickiJhabvala⁩ ⁦@Sam4TR⁩ ⁦@BenStandig⁩ ⁦@JPFinlayNBCS⁩ and ⁦@Mitch_Tischler⁩ talking about the Commanders and the draft and the roster. And a few bad jokes. You’re welcome. ⁦@ESPNRichmond⁩ https://t.co/Wwqi7TZ9oq

— John Keim (@john_keim) April 21, 2025​

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Episode 1,054 - Guest: @BenStandig. Great Commanders NFL Draft preview.
- likelihood of trading down from 29
- will Washington take an RB over first three rounds?
- could a trade for Trey Hendrickson be coming?
- who is No. 2 in War Room after Adam Peters?https://t.co/9gRiKRv1LK

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) April 21, 2025​

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️My annual joint live first-round mock draft with the legend, @evansilva. Breakdown of prospects and team needs for all 32 picks.

Additionally, my updated draft notes on the Commanders' potential targets at the 29th pick.https://t.co/B7tOPfCYwQ

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 21, 2025​

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NFC East links​

Pro Football Talk​

Howie Roseman: Big Dom is the best in the NFL at finding out about players’ red flags​

Roseman credited DiSandro, whose full job title is “senior advisor to the general manager/chief security officer/gameday coaching operations,” for being integral to the Eagles’ evaluation of potential draft picks. Roseman said the Eagles want to know that every player they draft has the kind of character that will fit the team’s culture, and Roseman said no one is better at determining that than DiSandro.

“We do have objective criteria that we look at to take players off our board,” Roseman said. “We start with these basic principles of, ‘We will not draft because of this.’ When we get past those guys, then we obviously have a process we go through. That starts with Dom. I don’t think there’s any doubt that he’s the best in the National Football League, and in my opinion all of sports, at what he does. His ability to not only gather information but have a feel for people. And then we just have to make judgments. In those situations, those are a little more subjective, and that’s based on all the information we get.”

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Discussion topics​

We have ONE starting outside CB and that player was injured last season. Mikey was drafted to play the slot. Noah I is a slot. Jones has inside/outside versatility but he’s 31 and signed for just one season https://t.co/lOr4qWWtGy

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) April 20, 2025​

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All aTwitter​

Commanders fans, do not forget about free safety Tyler Owens.

— Ken Johannesen (@BurgundyBurner) April 19, 2025​

Comprehensive and based on a ton of research and interviews with people in the know. 2025 NFL draft: ⁦@Jeff_Legwold⁩ ranks the top 100 prospects - ESPN https://t.co/XM1zJ5BHGb

— John Keim (@john_keim) April 20, 2025​

Now that the NFL draft is four days away, this is the closest to the start of it that there have been no trades for first-round picks in the Common Draft Era, per ESPN’s @EpKap.

The Joe Montana trade in 1993 came five days before the draft; this year now has surpassed that. pic.twitter.com/ARb2qEWzTF

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 20, 2025​

“The guy that fascinates me the most is Walter Nolen. He has plays in the SEC that look like Jalen Carter's tape at Georgia.”@GregCosell with a STRONG take about Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen: pic.twitter.com/DMY5KwQRwt

— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 11, 2025​

Would have included Kerrigan on here too. 16th pick; sets franchise sack record. https://t.co/jPd0iMOqai

— John Keim (@john_keim) April 20, 2025​

posting a photo from last season every day until OTAs pic.twitter.com/kaCgYljhmz

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 20, 2025​

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. pic.twitter.com/jUIkbplVi2

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025​

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/21/24408983/daily-slop-21-apr-25-its-draft-week

 

[Washington Commanders]

Adam Peters and Lance Newmark talk about free agency, the draft, and bringing the right people into the building

Washington Commanders GM and AGM talk to the media

It’s draft week, and we’ve got Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters and assistant general manager Lance Newmark in Ashburn. Offseason activities started today, and the NFL draft kicks off Thursday night at 8 pm ET in Green Bay, WI. The Commanders currently have five picks heading into the draft, starting with No. 29 overall in the first round.

Peters and Newmark talked about setting up their options in this year’s draft with the players they brought in via free agency and trades. He was asked again about trading down, and he kept all options open(except 1st round QB). Peters said they won’t waver on the kind of people they want to bring into the building, and that plays a big part in their decisions.

Pre-Draft Press Conference: GM Adam Peters and asst. GM Lance Newmark https://t.co/xjeWKvbNkZ

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 22, 2025​

Exciting time:​

Adam Peters and Lance Newmark are addressing the media. Peters said it's an exciting time for the team with the draft and players returning. Shouted out the scouting department and everyone involved in the draft process

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 22, 2025

Go Caps!:

GO @Capitals pic.twitter.com/xD80AA6aT2

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 22, 2025

Trading down, up, or stick and pick:​

"Open to everything" pic.twitter.com/NnYEIyVyyW

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 22, 2025

On trading back, Peters said he's open to everything. If there's an opportunity to move back, they'll look into it. Commanders will go into the draft with five picks

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 22, 2025

Adam Peters said they could go in any direction in the first round though after drafting Jayden Daniels last year you can obviously take QB off the table. And, yes, Peters is open to trading the pick. Joked that if Abdul Carter drops to around 27 they'd try to trade up.

— John Keim (@john_keim) April 22, 2025

Free agency set up options in the draft:​

Peters said the moves Washington made in the offseason gave them optionality with their picks

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 22, 2025

The Commanders' pre-draft roster shows needs, but each position also has enough pieces to avoid panic.

Peters: "We put ourselves in position not to force something."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 22, 2025

Types of players they want in the building:​

Adam Peters: "I don't think we're ever going to waver from the types of people we want to bring in the building. ... We want to bring in good people."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 22, 2025

Seven of Washington's nine draft picks last season were college team captains. After a year-plus of culture-building, is there more wiggle room with non-captains?

Adam Peters: "I don't think we're ever going to waver from the types of people we want to bring in the building."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 22, 2025

Deep DE class:​

Peters said it's a deep class of pass rushers this year. A lot of players do well against the pass and against the run

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 22, 2025

Peters confirmed the general view with this DE class: It runs deep with options for any scheme and plan.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 22, 2025

Draft board set, gauging interest for deals:​

Peters said the board is set, save for a little tinkering. Said they'll spend the next two days making phone calls to gauge any interest in deals.

— John Keim (@john_keim) April 22, 2025

Trades in the division:​

Peters said he doesn't personally believe in being scared of trading picks with a team in the division. If the deal is good for the team, then he'll consider it on a case-by-case scenario

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 22, 2025

Projecting the 1st round:​

Adam Peters on projecting the first round: "There is very little certainty after the first 10 picks or so."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 22, 2025

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/22...nfl-draft-bringing-right-people-into-building

 

[Washington Commanders]

Can Kaleb Johnson Become RB1 for the Commanders?

Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Kaleb Johnson, RB

School: Iowa | Conference: Big Ten

College Experience: Junior | Age: 21

Height / Weight: 6’1” / 224 lbs

Projected Draft Status: 2nd Round

College Statistics​

Rushing	Receiving	Scrimmage
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Att	Yds	Y/A	TD	Y/G	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Y/G	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD	Awards
2022*	Iowa	Big Ten	FR	RB	13	151	779	5.2	6	59.9	4	27	6.8	0	2.1	155	806	5.2	6
2023*	Iowa	Big Ten	SO	RB	10	117	463	4.0	3	46.3	3	25	8.3	0	2.5	120	488	4.1	3
2024*	Iowa	Big Ten	SR	RB	12	240	1537	6.4	21	128.1	22	188	8.5	2	15.7	262	1725	6.6	23	AA
Career	35	508	2779	5.5	30	79.4	29	240	8.3	2	6.9	537	3019	5.6	32

Rushing & Receiving Table

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/22/2025.

Kick Returns	Punt Returns
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Ret	Yds	Y/Ret	KRTD	Ret	Yds	PRTD	APYd	Awards
2022*	Iowa	Big Ten	FR	RB	13	13	325	25.0	0	0	0	0	1131
2023*	Iowa	Big Ten	SO	RB	10	2	77	38.5	0	0	0	0	565
2024*	Iowa	Big Ten	SR	RB	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	1725	AA
Career	35	15	402	26.8	0	0	0	0	3421

Kick & Punt Returns Table

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/22/2025.

Player Overview​

Kaleb Johnson was a three sport athlete in Ohio, playing basketball and running track while leading his high school team to state playoffs in his junior and senior seasons. After being named first team All-State his senior season, the three-star prospect decided to head to Iowa after flipping his commitment from Cal.

Iowa wasted no time getting Johnson on the field. Not only did he return kicks for the Hawkeyes in 2022, but he started six games at running back. A productive freshman season was followed by a bit of a sophomore slump where Johnson suffered an ankle injury and missed three games. Johnson got healthy and bounced back in a big way his junior year. He started 11 games and was top ten in the country in rush yards, rush yards per game, and rush TDs. His prolific final season at Iowa netted him Big Ten Running Back of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team, and All-American honors.

Strengths​

• Excellent size for running back
• Very good at anticipating where holes will open before bursting through
• Patient runner who sets up defenders to make the most out of running lanes
• Speed in open field looks faster than 40 time
• No fumbles on 262 touches

Weaknesses​

• Despite being a big back, rarely doles out contact
• Contact balance could be better considering his size
• Not a shifty or elusive runner in the open field
• Receiving limited to short-area passes, but may have receiving upside
• Blocking needs work

Let’s See His Work​

86.7 Rushing Grade
1,060 Yards After Contact
43 Explosive Runs

Kaleb Johnson is a Freight Train pic.twitter.com/lMRfDqGdGr

— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 29, 2025​

Iowa @HawkeyeFootball All-American running back, Big Ten Conference Running back of the Year Kaleb Johnson visiting #Commanders today, previousluly #Bears #Bengals #Texans #Broncos #Titans @KPRC2 #NFLDraft2025 https://t.co/UvASdWeGWI

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 16, 2025​

Kaleb Johnson is a RB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He does not qualify for a #RAS due to a lack of measurements.https://t.co/r6f7ykV5eN pic.twitter.com/z2uGdyFmW8

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 21, 2025​

How does he fit on the team​

The Commanders are doing a lot of work on running backs in this draft and who could blame them? The running game waned as the season wore on. Brian Robinson, Jr. and Austin Ekeler both struggled with injury last season and are in the final year of their respective contracts.

Kaleb Johnson had a breakout season in 2024 and can definitely build on that at the next level. A big back that will set up defenders, wait for blockers to get in position, and burst through the hole. He’d be great fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s zone-scheme runs where he can pick a hole, put his foot in the ground and get up field. Kingsbury also relies heavily on gap-scheme runs and Johnson needs to improve in this area.

In short, he needs to run and block with the power and violence of a back his size. Johnson is a young player and can develop more physicality, but the Commanders have to be sure he has the mentality to do so. If they are convinced he can improve in this area, he could become a complete back for the team.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/23...r-the-washington-commanders-nfl-draft-profile

 

[Washington Commanders]

Mark Tyler’s final 2025 Washington Commanders mock draft

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The draft is a day away and with that comes my final mock draft for Washington for this year’s cycle.

As always, my draft algorithm is the player who represents the most value on the board at a position of need for the Commanders.

I will be using my draft board, which I published yesterday, along with the Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator to help with this final mock.

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Draft Board:​

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Commanders Team Needs:​

Top needs:

EDGE

Cornerback

Wide Receiver

Offensive Tackle

Running Back

Secondary needs:

Safety

Guard

Linebacker

*Kicker (not on draft board)

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Round 1​

Washington - TRADE​

There was a trade offer on the table at pick 29...

• From Cleveland: Picks 33 and 94 for pick 29

Cleveland was looking to move back into the first round to draft Jaxon Dart. There was definitely a player I was targeting at 29, and I risked losing him if I moved back, but I looked at the teams behind me and didn’t think any of the three would take him.

Below is how round one played out on the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator.

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Round 2​

ROUND 2 (Pick 33) - Josh Simmons OT Ohio State​

I didn’t expect Simmons to be there at pick 29, and I was going to draft him there, however the trade offer from Cleveland was too enticing to pass up. For moving back just four spots, I picked up a third rounder. Based on the Rich Hill Trade Chart, this was a 19-point swing in Washington’s favor. Cleveland wanted Jaxson Dart and didn’t want another team jumping them at the end of the first round, so they paid the premium to land their QB.

I still had Ezeiruaku, Amos and Hairston on my board, so if Simmons got drafted, I would most likely have one of those to choose from.

As you can see above, the Rest of round one fell like this:

Buffalo - James Pearce

Chiefs - Donovan Ezeiruaku

Eagles - Trey Amos

This left me with the player I was going to take at 29, at pick 33.

The biggest question on Simmons is his health. Had he played a full season at Ohio State, he likely would have been a top 10 pick. All reports have him well ahead of schedule and ready for camp. Picking up an offensive tackle of his caliber with the first pick in round two is a luxury. Washington’s greatest asset is quarterback Jayden Daniels and protecting him is a top priority. With Tunsil at left tackle, the Commander can slide Simmons to right tackle and move second-year lineman Brandon Coleman to left guard. This move upgrades two positions along the offensive line and adds more youth to the unit. Simmons was the top player on my board at the time of the pick.

Washington - TRADE​

There was a trade offer on the table at pick 61...

• From Jacksonville: Picks 70 and 107 for picks 61 and 205

The Jaguars were looking to draft a wide receiver after taking Will Johnson in round one and Mason Taylor in round two. There were some players of interest on my board, but picking up an early fourth for moving back just nine spots was too tempting to pass up. This trade represented 11 points in Washington’s favor on the Rich Hill Trade Chart.

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Round 3​

ROUND 3 (Pick 70) - Josaiah Stewart EDGE Michigan​

Adam Peters set out to make the front four more sound this offseason. Adding Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman and Deatrich Wise will definitely help. What is lacking in this defense is a pass rushing presence and a “LEO” for Dan Quinn’s unit. With Stewart, the Commanders get just that.

Josaiah is a high-character, high-energy prospect who was coached very well at Michigan. It’s been said he was the toughest guy on the football team, and he brings that demeanor and energy with him every time he steps foot on the field. He’s a bit undersized at just 6’1” 249 pounds, but the former Costal Carolina transfer has produced at the highest level of college football. in 2024 he started 11 games and recorded 33 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, eight-and-a-half sacks and two forced fumbles. He was a team captain and All-Big Ten Second Team selection.

ROUND 3 (Pick 94) - Quincy Riley CB Louisville​

the 6’ 194-pound Riley has played a lot of football. He started his career at Middle Tennessee State, where he made the Conference USA All-Freshman Team and First-Team All-Conference USA as a sophomore. He transferred to Louisville and went on to play 37 more games in the ACC, being recognized twice as an all-conference selection. He’s long, athletic and scheme versatile. His stock rose after a great week at the Senior Bowl, and he’ll have an opportunity to see early playing time as an outside corner in Washington.

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Round 4​

ROUND 4 (Pick 107) - Bhayshul Tuten RB Virginia Tech​

Washington needs to get more explosive at the running back position. This draft is a great one to do just that. With the early fourth we received in the trade with Jacksonville, the Commander went with a local player from Virginia Tech with 4.32 speed and a 41” vertical. Tuten is a house-call waiting to happen whenever he touches the football. In his two seasons at Tech, after transferring from North Carolina A&T, Tuten rushed for 2022 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding 320 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver out of the backfield. He’ll need to take better care of the football in the NFL, but if he can, Tuten may turn out to be one of the steals of the draft.

ROUND 4 (Pick 128) - Dont’e Thornton WR Tennessee​

Washington has a need for a size/speed outside wide receiver and Thornton fits the bill. At 6’5 205 pounds, Dont’e ran an eye-opening 4.30 40. The former Oregon Duck played in 47 career collegiate games. As a senior at Tennessee in 2024, he led the team with 661 receiving yards and six touchdowns. What is even more impressive is he led the FBS with 25.4 yards per reception. He will give the Commanders a young vertical threat to pair opposite Terry Mclaurin.

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Round 7​

ROUND 7 (Pick 245) - Ryan Fitzgerald K Florida State​

Washington needs a reliable kicker. Fitzgerald was one of the nation’s best. Pick 245 is a good spot to secure a young kicker instead of risking him choosing to sign with another team as an undrafted free agent.

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Draft Results​

Washington entered this draft with 5 total picks and just three in the first four rounds. The two trades I made netted us five total picks within the first four rounds, and I was able to take advantage of depth at EDGE, corner, running back and wide receiver. Grabbing Fitzgerald with a seventh rounder was icing on top.

Out of this crop of six players, I believe four (if we are counting Fitzgerald) will be starters (Simmons, Stewart and Riley) and two (Tuten and Thornton) will factor heavily into the rotation with future starting potential.

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/23/24414845/mark-tylers-final-2025-washington-commanders-mock-draft

 

[Washington Commanders]

What time will the Washington Commanders be on the clock tonight?

Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Late night

The NFL's traveling draft circus lands in Green Bay, Wisconsin this year. The Washington Commanders currently hold the 29th pick in the first round which starts tonight at 8 pm ET. They only have five picks after multiple trades to bring in veteran players, but that could change as GM Adam Peters looks for value.

Now the important question: when are the Washington Commanders going to make their pick? We know they’re slotted in at No. 29 overall tonight, but what time are they expected to go on the clock?

Last year’s 29th overall pick, Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton (who went to the Dallas Cowboys), was announced at about 11:30 p.m. ET. So if you aren’t able to tune in for the full prime-time event, set a reminder to tap in before Washington makes their first pick(or trades down!).

Check out all the NFL draft odds at FanDuel

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/24...washington-commanders-be-on-the-clock-tonight

 

[Washington Commanders]

2025 NFL Draft Grades: The Washington Commanders get mixed grades for Josh Conerly Jr pick

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

Draft grades!

There is a long tradition of people giving draft picks a grade less than 24 hours after they’ve been made. Some of them are spot on after the players have shown who they are after a few years in the league, and some of them look pretty bad. A lot of graders get stuck on their personal rankings, and will tank a player’s selection because of that. How a player fits with a team, and their needs plays a big part here as well.

A lot of people were expecting the Washington Commanders to either take a defensive player, or trade down in the first round. Neither of those things happened, and GM Adam Peters picked the highest-rated player on their board, Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr. This continues the team’s efforts this offseason to improve the offensive line to protect franchise QB Jayden Daniels.

We have grades from 25 NFL “experts” and they range from A to D+.

Washington Commanders 2025 NFL Draft Picks​

Round 1 - #29 - Josh Conerly Jr, OT, Oregon

Round 2 - #61

Round 4 (via HOU) - #128

Round 6 - #205

Round 7 (from DEN via PHI) - #245

Yahoo Sports(A)​

Conerly could’ve been drafted a whole lot higher than this, but for whatever reason fell to the end of the first round. Laremy Tunsil and Conerly will be massive upgrades for the Commanders at offensive tackle and gives them a chance to end up with top tier bookends for a year or two.

Player comparison: Michael Oher

The Ringer(A)​

This pick makes a ton of sense for the Commanders, who add a talented rookie opposite the newly acquired Laremy Tunsil. Conerly, my 21st-ranked player, has a burly frame but light feet, blocking with good balance and recovery skills. He can start at right tackle early on and then give the team a long-term starter on the blind side. This is a nice boost for quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Walter Football(A)​

The Redskins acquired Laremy Tunsil, but they still needed one more offensive lineman. They were rumored to like Tyler Booker, but Josh Conerly makes sense as well. Conerly is a very athletic lineman who can play tackle and guard. This versatility will definitely help the Redskins, and I’m sure Jayden Daniels will be happy about this.

Sporting News(A-)​

The Commanders could have considered pass rush but instead further shored up their offensive line in front of Jayden Daniels, giving Laremy Tunsil a bookend and a strong run blocker to replace shaky former Chiefs right tackle Andrew Wylie.

FanSided(A-)​

Absolutely love the Commanders playing it smart after a pretty flashy offseason. Reigniting the run game and giving Jayden Daniels more room is paramount and Conerly with Tunsil can help do that.

SB Nation(B+)​

I wonder where the Commanders want to play him. With Laremy Tunsil coming over from Houston to play left tackle and Brandon Coleman having the versatility to play guard or tackle, Conerly could play either spot and use his athleticism and movement skills to get out in space. Protecting Jayden Daniels should be the top priority, and Conerly can play either spot.

The 33rd Team(B+)​

Positives:

Solid athlete who will benefit from a move to right tackle

Great balance and ability to mirror defenders

Strong punch in pass protection keeps rushers at bay

Negatives

Has to continue to gain play strength to help run game impact

Can overcommit to the outside edge, so he may need some guard help until that’s fixed

Handling bull rush can be an adventure due to a lack of anchor

Team Fit

The Washington Commanders needed either a left tackle of the future or a challenger for Andrew Wylie at right tackle. Josh Conerly can be that.

He needs some time to address his overall strength, but his athleticism and instincts are NFL-ready. Picking Conerly over Josh Simmons could prove to be a bold move either way.

Underdog Network(B+)​

Kick to RT with Tunsil. Developmental 21yo type.

Cleveland.com(B+)​

I would have taken Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson here. But the Commanders decide to go tackle and select one of the more interesting ones in this class.

Conerly was a player I liked because of how well he moves. He will need to get stronger, but learning behind Laremy Tunsil will help him do that.

The Athletic(B)​

The Commanders have been hyper-aggressive addressing their offensive line this offseason, first by trading for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and now by fortifying the other side with Conerly. During the 2024 regular season, Conerly allowed just four hurries, one hit and one sack, according to PFF, helping earn him first-team All-Big Ten honors. He also started his final 28 games for the Ducks.

Once he refines his skills, Conerly could become a long-term starter. In the short term, he’ll give Washington more protection for Jayden Daniels.

Sports Illustrated(B)​

Conerly was viewed by many as a borderline first-round pick as one of the top five offensive tackles in the class. At Oregon, Conerly started 28 games over the past two years while being named first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American. Projected to be a starter on the left side, he could kick inside down the line.

Scouting report: Conerly has started at left tackle each of the past two years but has experience protecting quarterbacks’ blind and strong sides. He’s quick and smooth-footed in his kick slide as a pass protector, and when he wins the race to first contact, he’s difficult to beat—he allowed only one sack in 2024. Conerly has enough strength to drive defensive ends out of rushing lanes and help spring big runs. The 6’ 5”, 311-pounder struggles anchoring against power rushers and is only average in space as a run blocker. Conerly has the requisite tools to play tackle, though he may need some seasoning before being thrown into the fire.

USA Today(B)​

Many had pegged an edge rusher for Washington, but the Commanders passed up a few notable candidates there to take Conerly. Still, it’s understandable that a team looking to safeguard Jayden Daniels and answer for the Eagles’ unrelenting pass rush would want to keep adding top talent up front after trading for Laremy Tunsil earlier this offseason. Conerly can be eased in at right tackle before later taking over for Brandon Coleman or Andrew Wylie, with the latter not signed beyond 2025.

Pro Football Network (B)​

The Washington Commanders were a team many penciled in as an EDGE suitor, and they had several compelling options still on the board. However, instead of addressing the defense, the Commanders chose to solidify the other side of the trenches with Josh Conerly Jr.

From a player and value standpoint, there’s nothing wrong with the Conerly pick. He’s a plus athlete with a natural feel for the technical elements of tackle play. He has smooth footwork, a light base, and active hands while matching. He also has an exceptional range as a blocker in space.

As long as he continues to build his play strength, Conerly should be able to fill in as a starter at right tackle. However, it’s fair to question whether Washington truly needed this with Brandon Coleman, a similarly talented OT who sometimes flashed promise in his rookie campaign.

The selection of Conerly suffocates Coleman’s development, but it also amplifies the strengthening of the team’s offensive line with Laremy Tunsil Jr. – and insulates Jayden Daniels’ protection.

Fox Sports(B)​

Arguably the most athletic tackle in this class — his 10-yard split of 1.70 seconds led all blockers tested this year — Conerly possesses the elite feet that translate very well to the pass-happy NFL. He isn’t quite as powerful as some of the other blockers of this class, projecting “only” outside, which limited his value to some. But for a club that just invested in Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, this selection is a terrific follow-up, should Tunsil fail to live up to expectations for whatever reason or if the Commanders aren’t convinced Andrew Wylie isn’t the long-term answer at right tackle.

Fox Sports(B)​

I’m not sure where Conerly will play right now for the Commanders, but this is a play for the future. Conerly is only 21 years old with so much room to grow into his body. His improvement over the final six games this season is the reason he’s in the first round.

NFL Draft Rumors(B)​

Washington continues to pour resources into the protection for QB Jayden Daniels, adding a first-round tackle after this offseason’s blockbuster trade for LT Laremy Tunsil. Conerly is probably going to play on the right side, with the potential to kick over to the left once Tunsil’s time in Washington is done. He’s incredibly athletic for a tackle and a promising pass protector but he needs time in the NFL to get stronger and improve his technique. There could be some growing pains. There’s a ton of upside, however.

Athlon Sports(B)​

Even after trading for a high-quality starter at left tackle in Laremy Tunsil earlier in the offseason, the Commanders invest even further in protecting Jayden Daniels with a high-upside blocker who flashed a ton of potential at that same position for the Ducks. There’s plenty of room to grow when it comes to technique and consistency for Conerly, but the building blocks are there for him to develop into a franchise player down the road. Taking him over Ohio State’s Josh Simmons is an intriguing decision that will be interesting to follow over the next few years, but it’s hard to argue with more help for this offensive line, let alone at the most premium positions.

Newsweek(B)​

The Commanders traded for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and now solidify the other side with Conerly. Conerly is coming off an excellent season for the Ducks. He possesses good pass-protection potential skills with great athleticism and recovery skills, but his game could still use some refinement.

Hogs Haven(B)​

CBS Sports(B-)​

He’s a player I thought would go in the first round and the Commanders need more help up front on their offensive line. They won’t be forced to rush him if he’s not ready, but he has the talent to develop into a quality player. Not flashy, but solid pick.

Pro Football Focus(Average)​

A two-year starter for the Oregon Ducks at left tackle, Conerly allowed just two sacks the past two years. He graded above the 75th percentile in all grading facets, including a 78.1 true pass set pass-blocking grade in 2024. Conerly shows good athleticism for the position, displaying quick and explosive feet. He doesn’t need to immediately start after the Commanders traded for Laremy Tunsil this offseason, but he could slide into guard and be very effective.

NFL.com(C+)​

After trading for Laremy Tunsil and moving Brandon Coleman to the right side to compete with Andrew Wylie at tackle, the Commanders took Conerly to bolster their offensive line. Conerly is as solid as they come at left tackle, winning with balance and agility on the edge. He can block in zone systems or provide the power to move his man on run plays.

Conerly was a fine value at this spot, but so was Josh Simmons (whom the Chiefs selected at No. 31). The Commanders had more pressing needs to address, and they have just four picks over the next two days.

Bleacher Report(C+)​

Strengths: Fluid pass protector, beats defenders to his spot, nimble feet, lateral movement

Weaknesses: Lacks power, wall-off run-blocker

During Jayden Daniels’ collegiate career, he often looked like a crash-test dummy. His aggressive nature as a runner and unwillingness to slide subjected him to some monster hits from defenders.

The Washington Commanders seem to have coaxed that out of him to a degree. But they further bolstered the protection for their young quarterback by selecting Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. with the No. 29 overall pick.

Washington already traded for Laremy Tunsil earlier this offseason to take over at left tackle. Conerly thus should compete to start at right tackle, even though he only started on the left side in college.

If Conerly proves to be comfortable on the strong side, Andrew Wylie can slide inside to start or provide excellent depth. Whatever the case, the Commanders are definitely better in the trenches than they were to start the offseason.

Play strength is an undefinable trait that’s vital for an offensive lineman. Someone like Conerly, who excels in so many areas, will likely still struggle to a degree as he tries to improve his play strength in the NFL.

Conerly has excellent movement skills and looks natural on an island at left tackle. He moves his feet well, redirects, disrupts counters and plays well in space. However, he can set a soft post leg as a pass protector and isn’t a drive-blocker in the run game.

For the Win(C)​

Brandon Coleman showed signs of competence as a rookie. Laremy Tunsil just arrived via trade. But this wasn’t enough to convince Washington Jayden Daniels was safe enough in the pocket, so now Conerly’s in the mix.

The space-clearing Duck may wind up moving from left to right tackle with Tunsil in town, but he’s talented enough to earn a starting spot right away. He’s an elite athlete with quick feet and great mirroring ability that will keep him comfortable along the edge. He’s also still a bit raw, and there will be growing pains that see him chalk up holding penalties and give up leverage to smaller rushers.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel(D+)​

Washington opts to bolster the offensive line at No. 29 here with Conerly who was a multi-year starter for the Ducks. He played better in 2023 than 2024 and struggled at times against the upgrade in competition. His size at 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds may make it tough to hang at tackle in the NFL. Considering the Commanders’ glaring needs on defense and the abundance of options on the board, they get a tough grade for this pick.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/25...ers-get-mixed-grades-for-josh-conerly-jr-pick

 

[Washington Commanders]

Adam Peters and Trey Amos talk about the Washington Commanders second-round pick

Adam Peters talks to the media after making Washington’s 2nd round pick

The Washington Commanders made their second pick in the 2025 draft tonight, picking Ole Miss CB Trey Amos with the 61st overall pick. General manager Adam Peters talked about his latest pick, and said Amos is everything you want in a corner. He’s an outside CB who doesn’t back down from anyone. Peters said he was in consideration in the 1st round, and he feels like Washington got two first round talents over the last two days.

Adam Peters​

LIVE: GM Adam Peters speaks to the media after Round 2 of the #NFLDraft https://t.co/WhElKSZ8k8

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 26, 2025

Trey Amos was considered at No. 29:​

Peters said Trey Amos was in play for the Commanders at 29.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 26, 2025

Adam Peters addressing the media. "We would have taken him with our first-round pick," he said about Trey Amos. Says a lot about what they think about him. Clearly the top player on their board

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025

Not moving up to pick again in the 3rd round:​

Adam Peters: “I can probably comfortably say we’re not going to get back in the third round.”

Commanders Day 2 seems over. pic.twitter.com/Y5knq9H02r

— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) April 26, 2025

Adam Peters said it's "a firm probably" that the Commanders won't move up to get a third-round pick. (They only have three more in this draft)

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 26, 2025

Trey Amos was target going into Day 2:​

Washington GM Adam Peters said they’re probably done for the night after taking Amos. He was the guy they targeted coming into tonight.

— John Keim (@john_keim) April 26, 2025

Everything you want as a corner:​

Adam Peters on Trey Amos: "He's a press corner who can be really physical at the line of scrimmage, but he can really play in any scheme that you want. ... He's got everything that you want as a corner."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 26, 2025

Adam Peters on Trey Amos: "He's earned everything he's got, and his play style is everything we want in a corner."

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 26, 2025

Peters with a lot of really great things to say about Trey Amos. Loves that he can get physical at the line of scrimmage and can play press

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025

Not trading back with Amos on the board:​

Peters said they got calls from teams to trade back and they had options, but they knew if Trey Amos and one other player were still on the board, they'd pick.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 26, 2025

It was a similar situation with Amos that it was with Conerly. They talked beforehand that if Amos was available, they weren't going to trade back, which they had offers to do so

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025

Peters acknowledged that pick 61 was their best shot at trading down for multiple value picks. Don't expect a move into the third and possibly no trades in any direction over the remaining rounds.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 26, 2025

Edge rushers they liked got drafted before their pick:​

Adam Peters said some edge rushers Washington liked got drafted and Amos stood out on the Commanders draft board. Peters said this was probably last chance to get a big haul in a trade back but options weren’t worth risk of losing Amos pic.twitter.com/1RM0C7ZjRi

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 26, 2025

Mike Sainristil’s position this season:​

Adam Peters said the coaches will determine where Mike Sainristil plays next season, but described the outside or slot situation as "fluid."

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 26, 2025

When asked about whether Sainristil would move inside, the structure of the cornerback room is still fluid, Peters said. Although Amos is more of an outside corner, they're leaving it up to competition to get the best player on the field

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025

Outside corner:​

Adam Peters believes Trey Amos is an outside press-man corner. Size and length back that up

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 26, 2025

Drafting two first round talents:​

Peters said he feels like the Commanders got two first-round quality players. Didn't think Conerly or Amos would be on the board when they were on the clock, so they got tremendous value with their picks

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025

Big, strong dude:​

Adam Peters on Trey Amos: "He's a big, strong dude"

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 26, 2025

Peters said Amos doesn't back down from anyone. It's almost like he relishes it.

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025

---

Trey Amos​

LIVE: New Commander Trey Amos speaks to the media https://t.co/1N4ZRnf1jh

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 26, 2025​

Predraft process with the Commanders:​

Trey Amos addressing the media. Still surreal for him, he said. Had a great relationship with the Commanders throughout the process

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025

Trey Amos says he didn’t expect the Commanders to take him but he had a great rapport with them at the Senior Bowl and the Combine

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 26, 2025

Mental toughness:​

Trey Amos said he "had a great relationship with the #Commanders" throughout the process.

Bounced around to a few schools and was "keeping the main thing, the main thing."

Says he learned about mental toughness and not to be always uptight.

Smart man.

— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) April 26, 2025

Surprised he was still there at #61:​

Trey Amos says he was surprised to last to 61 but “that’s the draft. Once your number gets called it’s go time.”

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 26, 2025

Ready to work:​

Amos said he’s a person who is ready to work, compete and make everyone on his team better

— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) April 26, 2025

Playing vs Jayden Daniels in college:​

Trey Amos asked about playing against Jayden Daniels in college, “maaaaannn”

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 26, 2025

New #Commanders CB Trey Amos says the @Commanders style of defense is "aggressive" ...

He played against Jayden while at 'Bama "Jayden is a great quarterback."

— Chris Russell AKA the ! (@Russellmania621) April 26, 2025

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/25...t-the-washington-commanders-second-round-pick

 

[Washington Commanders]

Full details of finalized Deebo Samuel trade

Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

Full details of the Deebo Samuel trade now that the picks have all been used.

Not every player added with a 2025 NFL Draft pick will join the team over the weekend. The Washington Commanders traded a pick in this year’s draft last month to acquire San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel

That trade finalized this weekend, so it’s a good time to wrap a bow on it.

Original terms of the Deebo Samuel trade​

49ers receive: Fifth-round pick in 2025 NFL Draft
Commanders receive: Deebo Samuel

Now that the NFL draft order has been set, we can update that with actual pick numbers.

Saints receive: 147th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
Commanders receive: Deebo Samuel

What do the Commanders expect from the Deebo Samuel trade?​

The Washington Commanders went to the NFC Championship Game last season, and are looking to take the next step with Jayden Daniels at QB. Washington traded for a familiar face in Deebo Samuel, and GM Adam Peters knows him very well from their time together on the West Coast. The Commanders didn’t extend Samuel, who’s on the last year of his deal. They did rework his contract to add guarantees and more incentives.

Kliff Kingsbury is getting a lot of help on the offensive side of the ball via free agency, trades, and now the NFL draft. Jayden Daniels was the driving force on a surprisingly good Commanders team last year, and Washington’s brain trust recognized they need to give him better protection and weapons. Samuel is expected to be a big part of the offense this season, and utilized all over the field.

What did the 49ers do with the pick from the Deebo Samuel trade?​

When San Francisco uses the 147th selection in the draft, we will update. The pick from the Commanders is originally the New Orleans Saints pick, but it was part of the Marshon Lattimore trade.

San Francisco picked Oregon running back Jordan James with the pick.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/25...timore-trade-saints-commanders-2025-nfl-draft