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.
The Washington Commanders only had five picks in this year’s draft so they were looking to maximize the value from this draft. There was interest in trading down to acquire more draft picks, but there were highly-rated players still on their board when they got on the clock. They started the draft at pick No. 29 with Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr. Some people graded Washington negatively for not going with their bigger needs on defense, but that’s not the way Adam Peters drafts.
They faced a similar situation the following day when they once again only had one pick and were interested in trading down. Peters said they were fielding calls, but with Ole Miss CB Trey Amos still available they couldn’t move off their pick. He was a player they had considered in the first round, and they couldn’t believe he was still there at No. 61.
Washington had three picks to work with on Day 3, and they went with three athletic players. Virginia Tech Jaylin Lane had a Commander tag on Adam Peters board, and was the highest-rated punt returner on their board. Special Teams Coach Larry Izzo was ecstatic after the pick was made. They picked up UCLA LB Kain Medrano in the 6th, and he’s a player that had worked with LB coach Ken Norton Jr in college. The Commanders closed out their draft class with a position a lot of fans were clamoring for them to upgrade. Jacorey Croskey-Merritt only played one game for Arizona last season due to NCAA eligibility issues, but he was very productive at New Mexico the year before, and Washington is looking for that kind of back.
The Washington Commanders’ second draft under owner Josh Harris, GM Adam Peters and HC Dan Quinn was viewed as a success from most of the graders, with the grades ranging from C+ to A. Washington valued athletic traits, experience and leadership in their draft picks. They added 5 players, and didn’t make any trades during the draft. They addressed a lot of needs, but not soon enough for some people. Washington has been adding more players since the end of the draft as UDFAs, and there will likely be a wave of veterans released after the draft from which the front office can look for added value.
Washington Commanders 2025 NFL Draft Picks
Round 1 – #29 – Josh Conerly Jr, OT, Oregon
Round 2 – #61 – Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Round 4 (via HOU) – #128 – Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
Round 6 – #205 – Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA
Round 7 (from DEN via PHI) – #245 – Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
CBS Sports(A)
General manager Adam Peters is rising star in the industry. Two drafts in, that’s safe to say. Conerly was the prudent albeit non-sexy pick in Round 1. He can start at guard then eventually bump out to tackle, where starred at Oregon. Amos has a high floor at boundary corner — a clear need opposite Marshon Lattimore — and Lane is a dynamic slot receiver with 4.34 speed and wiggle post-catch. Croskey-Merritt absolutely has the size, cutting skill and effortless power to be a tremendous seventh-round find at running back.
The Score(A)
It sure is strange seeing this organization so consistently making smart moves. That’s the power of competent ownership. The overall draft haul is a little light in terms of volume, but you have to factor in the trades made to acquire Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel this offseason. The clear effort to improve the supporting cast around Jayden Daniels continued with a smart pick in the first round, as Conerly is a good athlete who could immediately take over at starting right tackle opposite Tunsil. Amos, our No. 4 cornerback and No. 34 player overall, was a steal at the end of the second round. And Lane is a dynamic playmaker who should be a good fit in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. This team continues to trend in the right direction.
E$PN+(Kiper)(A-)
Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, cornerback and running back
I gave this team an A- for its 2024 draft haul, and here’s a snippet of what I wrote about its class: “If [Jayden] Daniels is a star, this could set the foundation for the Commanders returning to the playoffs — in a couple of years.”
Not bad! It took Daniels and Washington only one season to get to the playoffs, though, which ended in the NFC title game. The Commanders were ahead of schedule. Now? The clock is ticking. They have a limited window to put a star-laden team around Daniels before they have to give him a massive contract extension. They need to take advantage of him being on a rookie deal.
You could see that urgency this offseason in trades for wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those veterans will make the Commanders better immediately. And with only five total picks, they really had to get a rookie starter in Round 1.
Instead, they might have gotten rookie starters with both of their top picks. I liked the selection of Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 — he played left tackle at Oregon, but I see his immediate future at guard or right tackle. He has the traits to play on the left side, though Tunsil will have that spot locked down for a few years. I thought Washington might go with a corner there, but GM Adam Peters got Trey Amos with his lone Day 2 pick, nearly 20 spots lower than where he was in my rankings (No. 43). Amos will fill a big hole for this defense.
Jaylin Lane is an intriguing Day 3 wideout. At 5-foot-10, he looks like a running back — and he took some snaps from the backfield in college. If Kliff Kingsbury can figure out how to get the ball in his hands, he has some juice after the catch. He’s also the best punt returner in this class.
I liked what Peters did with his first three selections, but this is not quite an A because it’s a small class and because he didn’t address the hole at edge. Still, this is a team that should again challenge for the NFC East crown.
Pro Football Network (A-)
The Commanders didn’t have an abundance of capital in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they used the capital they had fairly well. Bolstering the offensive line will always be a fruitful move, and Josh Conerly Jr. gives the Commanders both high physical upside and flexibility with the other personnel. Trey Amos was one of the best value additions on Day 2, as he grants Washington early starting ability and schematic versatility.
On Day 3, the Commanders only had three selections, but they still managed to add a dynamic playmaker in Jaylin Lane, an athletic coverage linebacker in Kain Medrano, and a potential gem at RB in Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The Commanders can expect immediate returns from their early-round picks, and the late-rounders have potential, too.
It’ll be up to Washington to shuffle their line the right way, but a starting lineup of Tunsil-Coleman-Biadasz-Cosmi-Conerly can dominate the line of scrimmage, and help Jayden Daniels and the offense take yet another leap in 2025.
Grades for Every Commanders Draft Pick
Round 1, Pick 29
Josh Conerly Jr., OT | Oregon
Grade: 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.
Round 2, Pick 61
Trey Amos, CB | Ole Miss
Grade: A
The Commanders enter 2025 in a bit of a transition state on defense. Washington has invested most of its resources this offseason on offense, leaving the organization needing some long-term building blocks on the other side of the ball. Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos should represent one of those foundational pieces if he hits on his potential, making for an intriguing perimeter duo with Marshon Lattimore.
Amos may not be the cleanest tackler, but he profiles as a prototypical boundary corner physically (6’1”, 195 pounds) and comes with a proven track record of excellent coverage against SEC competition.
His ability to play man coverage should fit in with the Commanders, but his movement and processing skills allow him to excel in zone as well. Amos’ arrival could allow Mike Sainristil to move back into the slot, where he mostly played at Michigan.
Round 4, Pick 128
Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
Grade: B+
The Commanders continue to invest in building a long-term infrastructure around Jayden Daniels. That could leave the defense shorthanded for 2025, but with Luke McCaffrey the only wideout under contract past this season, adding another receiver was always a likely step in this draft.
Jaylin Lane is undersized at 5’9” and 191 pounds, but brings 4.34 speed and averaged 12.5 yards per reception during his five-year collegiate career. Lane isn’t just a burner, though, as he showed sharp coverage recognition and route-running on option routes. That gives him developmental upside, and his punt return experience adds special teams value as well.
Round 6, Pick 205
Kain Medrano, LB | UCLA
Grade: A
Round 7, Pick 245
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB | Arizona
Grade: A
Washington Post(B+)
General Manager Adam Peters addressed major needs by taking offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round and cornerback Trey Amos in the second. The addition of Conerly further fortifies the offensive line following the trade earlier in the offseason for tackle Laremy Tunsil. This wasn’t a franchise-altering draft like last year’s, which produced quarterback Jayden Daniels. But the Commanders have spent the offseason acting like the Super Bowl contenders they are, with the seize-the-moment trades for Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Peters added to that with some wise draft moves.
Associated Press(B+)
OT Josh Conerly Jr. (29) upgrades the Jayden Daniels’ protection. CB Trey Amos (61) could be an immediate starter. WR Jaylin Lane (128) and LB Kain Medrano (205) are high value picks. RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (245) has sleep potential.
Pro Football Focus(B+)
Conerly — A two-year starter for Oregon 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.
Amos — Amos brings elite speed and strong movement skills to the Commanders’ defense. He earned an 85.6 coverage grade in 2024, forcing 13 incompletions and recording three interceptions. A standout at the Senior Bowl, Amos showcases good instincts in zone coverage and has the size and athleticism to lock down opposing receivers in man coverage.
Lane — Lane was a rotational wide receiver for Virginia Tech, primarily playing in the slot in three-receiver sets. He’s been particularly impressive avoiding tackles, finishing with 1.2 avoided tackles per game over his last three seasons. He will compete for snaps with Luke McCaffrey, who also typically only plays in the slot in three-receiver sets.
Medrano — Medrano will need to clean up his missed tackles in order to improve his play against the run, but last season, he earned a 76.3 coverage grade and a 71.2 pass-rush grade.
Croskey-Merritt — Croskey-Merritt played just one game in 2024, but in 2023, he earned a 92.7 overall grade. That season, he scored 17 touchdowns and averaged 6.3 yards per attempt.
Barstool Sports(B+)
Washington only had five picks and none in Round 3 and none in Round 5. But keeping that in mind, they had a decent hall. Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr. put some good things on tape and Ole Miss CB Trey Amos is a sticky man CB. The Commanders also got Jayden Daniels a couple weapons with Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lae and Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merrit in the 4th and 7th Rounds respectively.
Fantasy Pros(B+)
Very focused on the top two selections that the Commanders made, and I love both the selections. Josh Conerly provides some tackle/guard flexibility with Sam Cosmi coming off an injury. Ole Miss’s Trey Amos provides experience against defending WRs from the SEC over the last two seasons.
The secondary needed help after finishing bottom 3 in PFF passing grade in 2024. A healthy CB Marson Lattimore should help – they also signed CB Jonathan Jones to a one-year deal worth $5.5 million – but they had to add depth. Lattimore’s not exactly known for staying healthy.
I think the only fault with the Commanders’ draft that keeps them out of the A range was not selecting an RB/EDGE player earlier. They went WR in Round 4 and LB in Round 6.
I know the Commanders were lighter on picks given the trades they made earlier in the offseason, but passing out on such a strong class for RB/EDGE is my one main criticism.
Although they might have found a sleeper with Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a very unusual finish to his college career, as eligibility limitations allowed him just one game played for the Wildcats in 2024. And this was after he came off a monster 2023 season with New Mexico when he posted a 33% dominator rating.
He was PFF’s 4th-highest graded running back in 2023. JCM’s real-life draft capital was expected to be low after essentially missing all of 2024 without an NFL Combine invite (although he did have pro day testing numbers), but his film and Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP honors suggested that somebody will take a shot at him.
Croskey-Merritt has shades of Aaron Jones to his play style. It’s a shame we couldn’t see more of him in 2024, as he came out of the gates red hot. On 13 carries in Arizona’s opener against New Mexico, Croskey-Merritt rushed for 106 yards on 13 carries with one rushing touchdown and seven forced missed tackles.
Hogs Haven(B+)
NFL.com(B)
Grades
Day 3 grade: A+
Analysis:
Conerly was always in play as a late first-round pick, though the team passed on some defensive talent with tackles Laremy Tunsil and Brandon Coleman already on the roster. Amos was a great selection late in Round 2 as an aggressive cover corner to pair with Marshon Lattimore, for whom the team gave up its third-round pick.
Washington traded away Day 3 picks for veterans Tunsil and Lattimore. I loved keeping Lane in the DMV because of his explosiveness as an inside and outside receiver. The fluid, fast Medrano is a special teams demon and productive outside linebacker waiting to happen. I also enjoyed the Croskey-Merritt pick; you’ll be seeing him running past and avoiding tacklers in the open field.
Sports Illustrated(B)
The Commanders addressed a few glaring needs with their first two picks. Conerly was the fourth offensive tackle selected, but he was considered by most draft experts to be a first-round talent. Suddenly, Washington has depth and talent in the trenches after making it work last season with quarterback Jayden Daniels often playing away from the pocket. Things didn’t exactly work out with Marshon Lattimore after the midseason trade, but he’ll now have more help with the arrival of Amos, who had a whopping 16 passes defensed last year.
The Ringer(B)
The Commanders hit one right down the fairway with this draft, adding value picks early on when drafting toward the end of each round. I liked the selection of Oregon tackle Josh Conerly, who should bookend Laramy Tunsil at right tackle early in his career before moving over to the blindside down the line. That’s a nice boost for Jayden Daniels right out the gate. Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos was one of my favorites in this pre-draft process—coming in at 36 on my board—so getting him at no. 61 was a steal. He’s a long, fluid-moving cover man with good ball skills, bringing the potential to start early on. Virginia Tech receiver Jaylin Lane looks like a fun new target for Daniels too, offering blazing, big-play speed out of the slot. And keep an eye on Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, another speedster with explosive play potential at the running back spot. He missed all but one game this past season because of eligibility issues, but could emerge in Washington as a change-of-pace complement to Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler.
Touchdown Wire(B)
The Commanders finished replenishing their offensive tackles by drafting Josh Conerly. They followed that up by taking Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos late in the second round. It was a top-heavy draft by Washington, but those two picks will be very impactful.
Athlon Sports(C+)
Steal of the Class: CB Trey Amos (2nd Round, No. 61 overall)
Addressing the offensive line was a must, even after acquiring Laremy Tunsil in a trade from the Texans, but taking OT Josh Conerly Jr. over Josh Simmons in the first round could prove to be a questionable decision of Simmons returns to his pre-injury form from last season. They made up for that by stealing Amos at the end of the second round, a top-five corner in this class who would have been a stellar pick for them in the first round.
WR Jaylin Lane was underrated due to his smaller frame, but his explosiveness is exactly what Jayden Daniels and the Washington passing game needed to line up alongside Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. Don’t be surprised if he gets on the field earlier than most fourth-round picks, and makes a big impact. After another long wait, the Commanders landed two more sleeper prospects in LB Kain Medrano and RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, both of whom bring athleticism and upside to either side of the ball as late-round picks.
There’s only so much you can do with just five picks, and the Commanders addressed some needs while getting more explosive and adding a ton of potential. I know you can’t fix everything in one draft class, especially with less than a full slate of picks, but it’s hard to stomach Washington ignoring their massive need for an impact edge rusher, despite an extremely deep class at the position.
Fox Sports(B)
A quarter of the prospects drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft play along the offensive line, and the Commanders got arguably the most athletic of the bunch in Josh Conerly Jr. The No. 29 overall pick starred at left tackle for Oregon, but is likely to move to right tackle for the Commanders, providing an athletic upgrade over free-agent addition Andrew Wylie and the mobility necessary to assist the mesmerizing playmaker that is second-year star quarterback Jayden Daniels. Though wideout wasn’t necessarily a position of concern for the Commanders, I really liked the addition of speedster Jaylin Lane in the fourth round. He’ll help in the vertical game and as a returner.
Given where he was selected, my favorite pick for the Commanders was cornerback Trey Amos (No. 61 overall), who’s among the better press corners in this class. With only five draft picks, GM Adam Peters didn’t have as many opportunities as most, but few did more with less.
Sporting News(B-)
GM Adam Peters couldn’t match his amazing 2025 offseason haul because there wasn’t a Jayden Daniels needed this year. But this was a solid follow-up, addressing offensive tackle and cornerback again with good picks with limited capital.
USA Today(B-)
It was a lighter class in part because veteran CB Marshon Lattimore came at the price of a third- and fourth-rounder at last year’s trade deadline, a transaction that has yet to bear sufficient fruit. Still, GM Adam Peters did a nice job while picking OT Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round and CB Trey Amos in the second. Fourth-round WR Jaylin Lane could capably take over for departed Dyami Brown as the deep threat.
For the Win(B-)
Best pick: Round 2, 61st overall: CB Trey Amos, Mississippi
Value pick: Round 4, 128th overall: WR Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
The Commanders taking Conerly was a move for the future, but Amos and Lane could carve out immediate roles for Washington. Amos in particular had first-round talk coming into the draft.
Fantasy Life(C+)
The Commanders hit it solidly down the fairway with this five-man class. That began at the end of Round 1, where the Commanders were boxed out of their preferred two-way EDGE defenders with run defense utility. Washington ultimately did not select a player at that position.
Instead, Washington audibiled to OT Josh Conerly right before the offensive tackle class fell off a shelf. A former five-star recruit, Connerly began his high school career as a running back. Play strength is a question, but Conerly is an extremely gifted pass-protector. Over 1,091 career pass-pro reps—nearly all of them at left tackle—he allowed only two sacks.
Connerly had an impressive showing against Penn State’s Abdul Carter in the Big 10 title game, allowing no hurries or pressures over 35 pass-pro reps. The lack of pop shows up in run blocking—Conerly was 35th-percentile in gap run-block grade the past two seasons—but he’s got the movement to develop on zone concepts.
With Washington’s lone Day 2 pick, the Commanders stopped the fall of CB Trey Amos, who had late Round 1 steam. Amos’ addition might allow Washington to move the undersized Mike Sainristil off of the boundary.
With the next two picks, Washington added speed merchants in WR Jaylin Lane – who needs polish but who tested like Tyreek Hill this spring – and LB Kain Medrano. Medrano is a good athlete who flies around the field – but he misses tackles in bunches. If he can clean up his haphazard technique, Washington will have unearthed a late-round gem.
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt got absolutely hosed by the NCAA last year, with an erroneous eligibility issue wiping out his final season. He’s never shown anything in the pass game, but he’s a shifty runner with feel who could see the field as a rookie.
New York Post(C+)
Conerly is on an upward trajectory. Wise move to protect franchise QB Jayden Daniels. Lane is fearless punt returner who can break tackles as a receiver, too. Amos is a man-to-man corner who can start early. Day 2 draft depth was traded for veterans.