2025 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Defense is still the popular pick for the Washington Commanders

Who is Washington picking in 2025?

The NFL Draft is finally here, and we’ve got our final roundup of mock drafts to check out. The defense leads the way again with multiple players and positions getting projected for the Washington Commanders. EDGE defenders continue to have the most variety and selections. Donovan Ezeiruaku goes to Washington in 17 different mock drafts. There’s a good chance that he won’t be on the board when Washington gets on the clock at No. 29 overall, but there are other DEs that should be there.

The options on offense are down to three WRs, two RBs, one OT, and a trio of guards. Emeka Egbuka is the most likely to be available of this week’s options, with Matthew Golden and Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona likely gone. There are also two interesting options at running back, A lot of fans would love it if North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton was Washington’s first pick, and that could happen tonight. Ohio State’s TreVeyon Robinson seems like he’s more likely to get picked tomorrow, and would be considered a reach if Washington took him at No. 29.

There were also 10 different trade scenarios, with Washington trading down in eight of them, and trading up with the Vikings in two of them. QBs are the big targets at the end of the first round, with Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders both getting drafted after teams traded up for them. A wide receiver is also the target in another Commanders trade down.

There are reports today that Adam Peters is interested in trading down in the draft. We’ll find out later on tonight!

Position breakdown:

EDGE/DE – 7

DL – 2

CB – 6

S – 2

LB – 2

WR – 3

RB – 2

OT – 1

OG – 3

Trade down – 8

Trade up – 2

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

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Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

NFL.com(Edholm)

I thought long and hard about a cornerback here, but Ezeiruaku’s pass-rush upside might be too tempting to pass up here. He’s also a mature player whose football character fits perfectly with Dan Quinn.

NFL.com(Parr)

Washington fills its most pressing need with a player Dan Quinn could mold into a Pro Bowl-caliber pass rusher.

The Ringer(McShay)

Call it a hunch—or a little birdy. I honestly don’t know if this is the direction the Commanders will go, but they need an edge, and Ezeiruaku is an absolute technician with his long arms and lightning-quick hands. He led the nation in sacks per game last year, and he’s one of the top-tier character guys in this class. If it’s not Ezeiruaku here, I could see Josh Conerly Jr., TreVeyon Henderson, and Nick Emmanwori as fits.

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 Donovan Ezeiruaku. He was the 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and his 16.5 sacks were the second most in the nation. He showcased a steady dose of explosion off the ball at the combine. The consensus All-American will fit in nicely with the NFC finalists. Dan Quinn selects him here.

USA Today(Middlehurst-Schwartz)

Edge rush remains the one pressing deficiency that Washington didn’t take drastic action to address this offseason. Utilizing the 6-3, 248-pound Ezeiruaku likely will require some creativity, but Dan Quinn should be up to the task of maximizing the contributions of a crafty defender who’s already far more polished than most of his peers.

NBC Sports(Dvorchak)

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson was also in play here as the Commanders have reportedly done extensive work on the running back class. I ultimately have them adding to a defensive line that his withered away in recent years. Ezeiruaku terrorized the ACC with 16.5 sacks in 2024 and will step in as an immediate playmaker for Dan Quinn’s defense.

Underdog Network(Winks)

Washington is an intangibles-based team who has leaned on analytics since changing ownership. Ezeiruaku checks both boxes at a major team need, which is why they had him in for an official visit. It’s shocking how bad their edge rusher group is right now, and Ezeiruaku is ready to play right away. He has polished moves, length, and motor. He just needs to get stronger to be a better all-around player.

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: Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia

The Redskins added Laremy Tunsil, but they still need to find some more help on the offensive line.

Wyatt Milum has the size and ability to be considered at tackle or guard, though the arm length is a concern.

Round 4: Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

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

Bhayshul Tuten has a nose for the end zone and quality receiving ability. He was the fastest running back at the combine.

Round 6: David Walker, DE, Central Arkansas

Here’s another pass rusher for the Redskins, who will need to address this area. David Walker is a dangerous pass rusher, though level of competition is an issue.

Round 7: Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, OT, Oregon State

The Redskins could use one of their few picks on offensive tackle depth, just in case Laremy Tunsil gets injured.

New York Post(Serby)

A long-armed 6-2, 247-pound team captain to replace Dante Fowler Jr. (10.5 sacks).

Times News Online(Boris)

Washington has built a solid roster but could still use help at edge, corner, and wide receiver. Ezeiruaku had a “Top 30” visit with the team and is viewed as a strong scheme fit. While Deebo Samuel was signed to complement Terry McLaurin, both are in contract years. If Emeka Egbuka were still available, he’d be a strong consideration. Cornerbacks Maxwell Hairston and Will Johnson are also in the mix.

Sports Illustrated(Shipley)

Dan Quinn adds a lethal speed rusher.

Football Guys(Song)

With Dante Fowler Jr. having joined divisional rival Dallas in free agency, Washington could give their pass rush a much-needed boost in the form of Donovan Ezeiruaku. There are concerns about whether he can be an every-down player, but Ezeiruaku has the initial quickness that head coach Dan Quinn has emphasized as a priority for a pass rusher.

Takeaways

This is another top trade spot for a team looking to jump back into the first round for a QB. Assuming they stay at 29, Washington needs an edge rusher. Two first-round talents are available, but I suspect they may go for the proven production of Ezeiruaku over the raw talent of James Pearce Jr. Ezeiruaku needs to build strength for playing the run, but he’s quick off the edge and led the Power 4 in sacks. For a team that suddenly shifted from rebuilding to contending, a player with a massive learning curve wouldn’t be ideal. HC Dan Quinn can make good use of Ezeiruaku from the jump.

Sharp Football Analysis(Donahue)

Best Bet: Defensive Line/EDGE to be the first position selected by Washington (+145).

SB Nation(Acosta)

Round 2: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford

Round 4: Nohl Williams, CB, California

Round 6: Clay Webb, OG, Jacksonville State

Round 7: Craig Woodson, S, California

The Huddle(Bonini)

Fantasy Life(Freedman)

James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee

CBS Sports(DeArdo)

Like you, I’m also surprised that Pearce was still on the board at this point. But this is obviously good news for Dan Quinn, who will surely jump at the chance to take Pearce, whose 10.0 sacks in 2023 led the SEC.

NBC Sports(Simms)

DraftWire(Risdon)

Washington goes after the enigmatic but talented pass rusher, though a running back like Omarion Hampton sure feels like a possibility here too.

Round 2: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Round 4: Miles Frazier, IOL, LSU

Round 6: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia

Round 7: Jay Toia, DT, UCLA

FTN Fantasy(Randle)

The Commanders decide to add to their strength with an elite pass rusher in Pearce. Easier to find wide receivers later in the draft or via free agency.

Draft Countdown(Lamb)

I’m not very high on James Pearce Jr, but I do see the flashes that others do. If he can stabilize the ebbs and flows of his game, then I think that he can put it together.

Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

FOX Sports(McKenna)

This is probably lower than the mock-draft-obsessed are accustomed to seeing Williams. That’s the fun of this exercise. But his ankle injury led to a lack of production in his final year. And like so many other edge players in this class, Williams’ unique athleticism didn’t amount to big numbers on the field. He’s enough of a specimen for the Commanders to risk it. But he’s still a risk.

CBS Sports(Benjamin)

Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Pro Football Focus(Collinsworth)

What Cris says: “The Commanders are going to put points on the board with their great young quarterback, but they need more on defense. Mike Green is athletic and can run, though I’m not sure he has the same wiggle that some of the other edge defenders in this class have.”

Bottom line from PFF’s 2025 NFL Draft Guide: Green has only two years of starting experience and not the best competition to measure NFL talent over the past two years. However, he absolutely dominated the way you’d want a future NFL player to with elite pass-rush and run-defense grades in addition to high-90th-percentile numbers in win rate and run stops. He has top-50 all-around ability and projects as a starting-caliber outside linebacker in a 3-4 front.

USA Today(Ostly)

Washington has plenty of needs on defense, including edge rusher. Green led college football in sacks in 2024 but falls a bit here to a Commanders team that is happy to have him.

Rotowire(Puig)

It’s not clear how concerned teams might be with Green’s off-field history, but if Washington is not deterred then they would otherwise have reason to covet Green’s edge-rushing potential.

Round 2: Shemar Stewart, DE/OLB, Texas

Stewart is an immensely athletic player but his production was so incredibly bad in college that I remain skeptical he goes anywhere near as high as projected. Most projections put Stewart in the first round.

Rotowire(McKechnie)

This particular tier of edges — Green, Shemar Stewart, James Pearce, Nic Scourton, Landon Jackson and JT Tuimoloau — is tricky to parse. However, it’s up to Washington to figure that one out. And luckily for them in this scenario, they’ll have their pick of the litter.

Green could go much higher than this based on his talent and production, but a team will have to do its homework on the off-field part of his prospect profile.

NFL Trade Rumors(Ulrich)

Once seen as a potential candidate for a top-three selection at this point last year, Pearce now seems like a potential candidate to fall out of the first round entirely due to character concerns. Those are nebulous but have cropped up from multiple, credible draft analysts. Still, the talent and production are undeniable. Someone like Commanders HC Dan Quinn could feel more equipped to get the best out of Pearce than other coaches. For a team that could use a bona fide edge rusher, the gamble is worth taking late in the first.

FOX Sports(Fallica)

Leading sacker Dante Fowler departed, making this an area to address in the draft. I’m always worried when I see a G5 player rack up a ton of sacks or other stats and how that might translate to the P5 or the NFL, but Green’s production is hard to look past.

Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

E$PN+(Schrager)

Stewart slipping this far? It could happen. He’d make a lot of sense for the Commanders given how their run defense performed in the NFC Championship Game.

CBS Sports(Wilson)

There’s a chance Stewart slips out of the first round, but if anyone can get the most out of his physical gifts, it’s Dan Quinn.

Pro Football Network(Infante)

Jayden Daniels, Dan Quinn, and the 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.

Shemar Stewart is a physical specimen with size, power, and explosiveness that make him a nightmare for offensive tackles. The sack numbers weren’t there in 2024, but his tape tells a different story.

Round 2: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

The Commanders have an explosive passing attack, but they could still use another young wide receiver to come up through the ranks.

A sure-handed slot receiver with top-notch athleticism, Jaylin Noel would give Jayden Daniels another reliable target to throw to in Washington.

Round 4: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Round 6: Karene Reid, LB, Utah

Round 7: Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida

Fantasy Life(Nystrom)

The Commanders are committed to fixing their run defense—they need an immediate EDGE starter, and want one who excels against the run … that’s Stewart.

Philly Voice(Kempski)

The Commanders signed Javon Kinlaw to a three-year deal worth $45 million, so they’re not averse to spending significant resources on players who look imposing but don’t have good production.

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

For The Win(D’Andrea)

Scourton’s jump from Purdue to Texas A&M didn’t unlock stardom, but the Aggies’ defense was a stacked lineup of blue chip defenders whose overall competence dulled everyone’s counting stats. He’s still the guy who led the Big Ten with 10 sacks in 2023, all of which came against Power 4 opponents.

He’s a three-down presence who uses his size and power to reconfigure linemen and force opponents to improvise mid-play. He may never be a dynamic speed rusher, but he’s a monster at the point of contact with the agility to cut inside and chase down quarterbacks.

Establish the Run(Daigle)

A 19-year-old team captain who led the Big Ten in pressures and sacks in his final year at Purdue, Scourton ultimately transferred and soaked up double teams (across from teammate Shemar Stewart) in the SEC.

SB Nation(Acosta)

Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA(Draft profile)

The Draft Network(Melo)

Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

FOX Sports

Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

NBC Sports(Maiocco)

He is adept at lining up all over the D-line, but he seems to be most comfortable in the offensive backfield.

Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

CBS Sports(White)

Johnson seems to be a player who could land anywhere in the first round and it wouldn’t be much of a surprise, but FanDuel has him at -152 to go Over 17.5 and we’ve had priorities at other positions until this point. The Commanders are favored to go DL/edge first but we’re at the point where the value at other positions is too great to ignore, and both corner and safety are among their next options along with offensive lineman.

Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas

NFL.com(Jeremiah)

This is a case of a team staying put and watching a value pick fall to it. I have Barron much higher in my rankings. He and 2024 second-round pick Mike Sainristil are two guys Washington could move all over the field.

CBS Sports(Prisco)

The Commanders would like to add another corner or safety and Barron can do both, according to some scouts. He has a Brian Branch feel to his game.

Sportskeeda(Pauline)

The Commanders would prefer to trade down and come away with an extra selection on day two so they can draft a receiver. Barron is a terrific player who fills a need, yet the question is, does he fit the Commanders’ persona?

Round 2: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

NBC Sports(Perry)

Versatility? Check. Playmaking skills? Check. Barron was a menace for opposing quarterbacks last season, and Dan Quinn will get a kick out of aligning him in a variety of different spots.

Barron may not make it here — Miami at No. 13 would make sense — but if he does, it’d come as little surprise if Washington scooped him up.

DraftTek

I firmly believe that Adam Peters wants out of this pick in a bad way. After trading away seven picks since October, a man who believes in building through the Draft certainly wants more than four picks this weekend. Adding value in rounds 2-5 is paramount, especially in a Draft where the difference between picks 10 and 70 might be minimal.

If Washington sticks-and-picks, I expect they’ll choose best-player-available at EDGE, CB, WR, RB in that order. I believe Dan Quinn would love a player with the length and advanced move-set of an EDGE like Donovan Ezeiruaku, but he’s gone in this scenario. If Quinn could pick his top CB, I’m fairly certain he would take former Michigan Wolverine Will Johnson because of his fit on the outside. As for the other positions, WR Emeka Egbuka and RB TreVeyon Henderson are firmly within reason at 29.

Now to the player at hand-Jahdae Barron is going to be a great NFL player, and I believe the league has learned its lesson letting versatile defensive backs drop in the draft (Cooper DeJean, Brain Branch, etc.). If Quinn picks him, he likely believes Barron can play on the outside, as the Commanders already have two smaller CBs that are best in the slot in Mike Sainristil and Jonathan Jones.

If Marshon Lattimore can return to form, a CB trio of Lattimore, Sainristil and Barron would be a formidable group. Dan Quinn does like to move players around, so I would expect Sainristil and Barron to demonstrate tremendous position flex outside the hashes and in.

Round 2: T.J. Sanders, DL, South Carolina

Round 4: Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas

Round 6: Jo’Quavious Marks, RB, USC

Round 7: Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M

Establish the Run(Silva)

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

The Athletic(Brugler)

The Commanders have been doing a lot of homework on edge rushers and cornerbacks, including Hairston. Although he’s a tick undersized, Hairston has the big-time speed and aggressiveness that would work well in Washington.

USA Today(Camenker)

The Commanders traded for Marshon Lattimore ahead of the 2024 NFL trade deadline but could still use depth and talent in their secondary. Hairston blazed a 4.28 40 at the NFL combine and demonstrated great ball skills at Kentucky, making him an ideal fit here.

DraftWire(Popejoy)

Round 2: Bradyn Swinson EDGE, LSU

Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Pro Football Network(Stolte)

I seriously believe that Benjamin Morrison would be a borderline top 10 player this year if it weren’t for the hip injury. Before the injury, he was every bit as good as Hunter and Johnson. If everything checks out for his hip, this could be a huge steal for the Washington Commanders.

The Commanders ran the 14th-most man coverage in football last season but ranked 29th in defensive EPA when using it. Morrison is one of the best man-coverage defenders in the nation with his elite short-area quickness and high IQ.

At one point, I went through every snap of Morrison vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. in the Notre Dame-Ohio State matchup from their younger days. Harrison ran nine routes with Morrison lined up against him and was given three catchable targets, but he only caught one of them for 20 yards. Injury notwithstanding, the Commanders could grab a player who erases WR1s in the NFL.

Round 2: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

The Commanders are a bit underwhelming at wide receiver, outside of Terry McLaurin. In my honest opinion, I don’t think Samuel will be the player he used to be and will very likely not get as many targets as you would expect. While Noah Brown played relatively well this season, I really like Jaylin Noel’s potential to come in and make an impact immediately.

Noel is an athletic freak with the testing to back it up. What makes him really intriguing is that he has shown the RAC ability that Samuel once showed, all while being a huge vertical threat. His 99.9 PFF receiving grade on deep routes (20+ yards) was warranted with his 14 catches for 609 yards and four touchdowns.

Arguably just as impressive is that he had 10 contested targets on deep throws and managed to come down with six. To round it out, his hands are also rather solid, posting just a 4.8% drop rate in the 2024 season.

Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

Pro Football Focus(Sikkema)

The Commanders traded for Marshon Lattimore last year, but upon his return from injury, he did not live up to the shutdown player they had envisioned him to be. It could have been all health-related, but if they have more concerns, they could be very keen on the cornerback position. The Commanders reportedly met with Amos multiple times in this process.

Pro Football Focus(Kosko)

The Commanders are set on offense and address the weakness on the defensive side of the ball. Amos missed just six tackles in 2024 and paired his 85.6 PFF coverage grade with an excellent 81.0 PFF run-defense grade.

Pro Football Focus(McGuinness)

I could see the Commanders going after an edge defender here, but I also like getting an outside cornerback so that Mike Sainristil can move inside to the slot. Amos earned an 85.6 PFF coverage grade and an 81.0 PFF run-defense grade in 2024, showing that he’s a valuable coverage defender but also more than capable of helping against the run.

Walter Football(Campbell)

I believe Washington would love to get Maxwell Hairston, or Tyler Booker, but both are off the board. Washington could use a corner to pair with Marshon Lattimore and give Dan Quinn two corners capable of playing man coverage.

Amos flashed on tape for Alabama in 2023, and he has picked up where he left off after transferring to Ole Miss. In 2024, Amos had 50 tackles with three interceptions and 13 passes broken up. Amos (6-1, 190) has good size, speed, and athleticism. He could be a solid first-rounder or a steal in the second round.

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.

Shavon Revel Jr, CB, East Carolina

Touchdown Wire(Bailey)

The Commanders traded for Marshon Lattimore ahead of the trade deadline, but injuries seemed to have a lasting effect on him for the remainder of the year. Getting a healthy Lattimore and pairing him with Revel gives Washington a very good cornerback tandem.

Pro Football Talk(Florio)

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Yahoo Sports(Tice/Robinson)

The Commanders could have a few interesting choices here, but Dan Quinn gets another smart player on the defensive back end who can be used in a variety of ways. Starks has the versatility to line up in the slot, where Noah Igbinoghene currently starts for them. Either way, Starks will bring his football IQ and all-around play and gets with a coach who loves having difference-making safeties on his roster. (Remember Quinn’s background with the Legion of Boom Seahawks, and the Falcons taking Keanu Neal when he was the head coach there.)

Pro Football Network(Weissman)

The Washington Commanders need to improve their secondary, especially at the safety position. Drafting Georgia’s Malaki Starks, an athletic and instinctive safety with excellent range and ball skills, would be a wise move to address this weakness.

Starks’ versatility allows him to excel in various coverage schemes, making him a valuable asset to solidify Washington’s pass defense.

Round 2: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

I have always been a fan of Brian Robinson, but the opportunity to get more dynamic at the running back position should excite Commanders fans. Quinshon Judkins has the ability to be a Pro Bowl-caliber RB.

Sports Illustrated(Goldsher)

Washington is in great shape on offense, so snatching up one of the draft’s top safeties just makes too much sense.

Bleacher Nation(Rooney)

Not many people know how to coach and develop safeties like Dan Quinn. Malaki Starks is a highly talented player with a versatile skill set. He’s a skilled defender and excels at positioning himself and locating the ball in coverage. I think while this might not be Washington’s most significant need, Quinn would love to get a player of Starks’ caliber on his defense.

Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Sports Illustrated(Breer)

Dan Quinn gets his Kam Chancellor, with a lot of options off the table for the Commanders. I could see, among others, Henderson, Conerly, Texas A&M edge Nic Scourton or even East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr. being considered here.

Pro Football Focus(Macri/Jahnke)

Dan Quinn should be in search of a strong safety capable of thriving in his system. Everything about Emmanwori’s college profile and athleticism points to a player who would be an immediate impact player in Quinn’s defense, and for IDP especially, he’d be incredibly enticing with this landing spot.

NBC Sports(Frank)

Washington moves to replace Jeremy Chinn with a player who is built in the Chinn mold with his athleticism, versatility and toughness. Emmanwori was a three-year starter at South Carolina and showed great improvement this past year, with four interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns, along with 88 tackles, three tackles for loss and a couple pass deflections. He has unique size at 6-3, 220 pounds and he has a good knack for using that size to his advantage in coverage. The one knock on Emmanwori is that sometimes is too reliant on his physical gifts and that allows critics to question his effort. But he has all the traits to be a top NFL safety.

NBC Sports(Mulhern)

He screams Dan Quinn prototype. Emmanwori is a physical freak who can play in the box or cover half the field. He can fill the role vacated by Jeremy Chinn, who bolted for the Raiders in free agency.

Fantasy Sports on SI(Brandon)

The Commanders could go several different directions and while I’d like to see them add a running back at some point in the draft, South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori is too talented to pass on at the tail end of the first round. With the versatility to line up in the secondary or as a linebacker, Emmanwori’s hard hitting and ball skills are just what the doctor ordered in Washington.

Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

L.A. Times(Farmer)

The Commanders grab an old-school middle linebacker to help solidify the interior of their defense.

Underdog Network(Norris)

While not a pure edge rusher, Campbell would be utilized correctly in Dan Quinn’s defense and take over for Bobby Wagner in the long term.

Fantasy Pros(Brown)

The shoulder and knee injuries scare Jihaad Campbell down the board, but there’s no denying he’s one of the most athletic and explosive defensive playmakers in this draft. With Bobby Wagner operating under a one-year deal, the Commanders could look to Campbell as a potential replacement for the future.

This allows Campbell to play and learn alongside one of the best linebackers in football, but it also gives him a chance to get healthy and ease into a role for the Commanders’ defense.

Football Guys(Bitonti)

The Commanders are loading up for another deep playoff run, and they need playmakers on defense. Campbell has been quiet this draft season, dealing with a persistent shoulder injury. But assuming his medicals check out in any reasonable fashion, he’s a genuine first-round talent in a draft short of those.

FOX News

The richer could very well get richer. Washington has a good opportunity to add depth to its linebacker corps with the selection of Jihaad Campbell. He may not fall this far down, but if he does, it will be a boon for the Commanders or any other team in need of an elite defender.

Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Barstool Sports(Cheah)

Frankie Luvu is the real deal, but Bobby Wagner will be 35 in before training camp starts. Schwesinger came out of nowhere this year to have a monster season and is one of my favorite players in the Draft. He can do it all – read and react, stack and shed, blitz, and cover. He’d improve the Commanders offense and allow Wagner to be fresh for a January run.

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Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State(Draft profile)

The Athletic(Mock)

Wide receiver isn’t a huge need for Washington, but Egbuka is firmly a top-32 player per the consensus and can’t be passed up. The Commanders added Deebo Samuel this offseason, and he should help, but they could use a more formidable WR2 behind Terry McLaurin considering Samuel’s age.

CBS Sports(Renner)

Egbuka’s reliability and ability in the run game would play perfectly as the No. 2 in that offense. It’s almost unfair how many weapons the Commanders could amass in this draft.

FOX Sports(Rang)

Trading for Deebo Samuel was an important first step to help Jayden Daniels build upon his spectacular rookie season. But GM Adam Peters shouldn’t stop there, especially given all the multiple receiver sets required in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme. Either Egbuka or Missouri’s Luther Burden III would be terrific fits, with the former currently being the more polished route-runner.

The 33rd Team(Meirov)

Overshadowed by Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2022 and Jeremiah Smith in 2023, Egbuka remains a steady, reliable receiver. He holds the all-time record for receptions at Ohio State (205) and is viewed as a high-floor, safe pick. One league source said, “He’s going Round 1. Don’t overthink it.”

Draft Sharks(Hallam)

Egbuka adds another weapon for Jayden Daniels, an ideal slot WR for them. One of the safest picks of the draft.

We broke down Emeka Egbuka’s dynasty value.

Round 2: Ashton Gillotte, Edge, Louisville

Round 4: Giddens had a solid career at Kansas State and could find his way into a major role.

See why Giddens could be a hidden gem.

Round 6: Tyreem Powell, Edge, Rutgers

Round 7: Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware

Fantasy Pros(Weyrauch)

Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel will both hit 30 years old during the 2025 NFL season. With the success of Jayden Daniels, the Commanders lock in one of the safest slot receivers of this draft class.

Upside Football

Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

NFL.com(Brooks)

What do the Commanders do to help Jayden Daniels take another step forward? Use a first-round pick on Golden, who led Texas in both receiving yards (987) and scoring grabs (nine) last season.

Bleeding Green Nation(Natan)

Even with the Deebo Samuel addition, the Commanders should keep loading up on weapons for Jayden Daniels. Matthew Golden could stretch the field across from Terry McLaurin or slide into the slot and create mismatches in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

USA Today(Davis)

He’s become something of a polarizing prospect in recent months given questions about his speed and, perhaps, commitment to the game. But there’s no denying his size (6-4, 219) or production (174 grabs for more than 2,700 yards since 2023). And QB Jayden Daniels could use another weapon, especially with WRs Deebo Samuel and Noah Brown only signed for the 2025 season.

Sports Illustrated(Orr)

“But we got Deebo Samuel!” is not really a reason for the Commanders not to take a true WR2 next to Terry McLaurin here. Samuel is hovering around his age-30 season and is on an expiring contract. McMillan has great size and played in an offense where he was forced to be creative thanks to a mobile quarterback in the pocket. His anticipatory skills can add a new flavor to Jayden Daniels’s game.

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Sporting News(Iyer)

The Commanders might shock a few observers with this pick, but their backfield of Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. was piece-mealed and too situational last season, on top of durability concerns. Hampton can clean up all of that as a great fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, flanking Jayden Daniels.

Round 2: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

The Commanders could afford the “luxury” of Hampton in the first round knowing the pass-rush depth of his class. Sawyer would be a solid, high-energy fit for Dan Quinn’s defense.

NBC Sports(Hughes)

The Commanders continue to add headaches for opposing defensive coordinators to deal with. Hampton plays with so much physicality in every aspect of the position.

The 33rd Team(Crabbs)

A third running back! In this economy! Yes.

Hampton has the right blend of size, physicality, and explosiveness to be a potent addition next to Jayden Daniels in the background. The Commanders have done much work this offseason to up their competitive level in the suddenly crowded NFC. This is another step in that direction.

NFL Spin Zone(Bedinger)

I thought Omarion Hampton would go much earlier in this mock draft, but there are just so many scenarios for each team, and you never know when a talent like this is going to potentially fall. Hampton going to the Commanders would be a cheat code. We saw how Saquon Barkley absolutely ran through the entire NFL this past season and teams are going to be doing everything in their power to duplicate that. A guy like this who can create yardage after contact could help Jayden Daniels tremendously.

Round 2: Jordan Burch, EDGE/DL, Oregon

Fantasy Pros(Jones)

Here’s another pick that could easily be traded to a team that wants to come up, maybe for a quarterback, though I doubt they’d trade with the Giants. James Pearce Jr fits as a LEO, but I’m not sure he would meet Adam Peters’ character requirements.

Fantasy Pros(Fitzmaurice)

There’s little doubt the Commanders will look to upgrade the RB position in the draft, and Hampton would be a fabulous value this late in the round.

The Draft Network(Harms)

Draft Countdown(Bosarge)

Fantasy Pros(Erickson)

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State(Draft profile)

NFL.com(Zierlein)

In keeping with the theme of grabbing help for young, upstart quarterbacks, the Commanders turn to the explosive Buckeye who can give Washington’s offense an extra punch on the ground or out of the backfield as a pass catcher.

CBS Sports(Edwards)

Washington has spent a lot of time with TreVeyon Henderson this offseason. Omarion Hampton had been a player I considered here in the past, but do not currently believe he makes it past Denver. Donovan Ezeiruaku may not have the desired play strength for Dan Quinn and there are expected to be options in that role on Day 2. Cornerback had been the other consideration.

Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

NFL.com(Davis)

It would not be a surprise to see Washington select a cornerback here — Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison is my favorite CB in the draft — but in this case, the Commanders fortify the offensive line with Banks, who can compete for the starting job at right tackle as a rookie.

Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State

NFL Spin Zone(Scataglia)

Two-straight interior offensive line picks, the Washington Commanders grab a guard of their own and take Grey Zabel from North Dakota State. They did trade for Laremy Tunsil earlier this offseason, so the offensive line investment has been massive.

Round 2: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

The Washington Commanders take Darius Alexander at the bottom of the second round in our latest NFL mock draft. This team could truly win the NFC in the 2025 season.

Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

Sports Illustrated(Joyce)

Washington may be looking at a trade back here, but for now they stick at 29 and help build the offensive line. Jackson starter 30 games along the interior of the offensive line for the Buckeyes and nine games at left tackle when Josh Simmons went down. Projects best as a guard, but could compete for a tackle spot at the next level.

Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

FTN Fantasy(Ratcliffe)

Booker is a physical mauler who fits what Washington wants to do up front. He brings SEC experience and can start early at guard.

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Trade down

E$PN+(Kiper/Yates)

Yates’ trade projection: We’re almost through Round 1, and Ward is still the only quarterback off the board. With a few QB-needy teams waiting at the top of Round 2, the Browns could pounce on the opportunity to move up to secure their guy. I have Cleveland trading Nos. 33 and 104 (a fourth-rounder) to Washington for No. 29. The Commanders have just five picks, so they could be looking to trade down.

Kiper’s notes: The Commanders are in a good spot, having turned their roster around quickly. Moving down for another pick and still landing a good prospect at the top of the second round would be good business. My top three needs for them are edge rusher, cornerback and running back.

A few prospects who could fit the Commanders, whether they stay at No. 29 or end up atop Round 2: Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos and Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr.

The Athletic

Commanders trade No. 29(Jaxson Dart) to Saints for Nos. 40, 93 and 184

Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

Adding talent around quarterback Jayden Daniels and speed on both sides of the ball are Washington’s top priorities. Acquiring additional draft picks helps the cause, though Oregon’s Conerly, Ohio State’s Henderson and Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos were tempting. Three trades since November left the Commanders with only five picks in 2025 (two in the top 127) and 2026.

Edge rusher is the Commanders’ top need, and Scourton, Brugler’s No. 59 prospect, is a perfect match on the field (2023 Big Ten leader in sacks, 29 tackles for loss over last two seasons) and in the locker room (team captain at Purdue at the age of 19). Scourton’s athletic ceiling is lower than other edge prospects, but don’t be stunned if he is a first-round pick, in which case Washington could pivot to East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.

CBS Sports(Jones)

Commanders trade down with the Titans who select Missouri WR Luther Burden III

Underdog Fantasy(Gruden/Pugh)

Commanders trade No. 29(Shedeur Sanders) to the Browns for No. 33 and 179(6th round)

FOX Sports(Klatt)

Commanders trade down with the Browns who select Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

Washington doesn’t have a third-round pick, and I don’t think it would mind moving back a few picks here because the board isn’t dramatically different. The Browns, meanwhile, passed on a quarterback at No. 2, so they still need one and jump back into the first round to do so. Dart is very talented, but he’s going to need to grow a little bit from a playing standpoint because of all the things that were schemed and scripted for him at Ole Miss.

CBS Sports(Stackpole)

Commanders trade down with the Giants who select Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

Reports are that the Giants are a Jaxson Dart team more than a Shedeur Sanders team, and instead of waiting until pick No. 34, they jump back into the first round to grab their rookie signal-caller. The Commanders get Nos. 34 and 99 (third-rounder) in the deal.

FanDuel(Swaim)

Commanders trade down with the Saints who select Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

Though the Washington Commanders aren’t chock full of needs, they have only five picks. I’ve got them picking up another by sliding back 11 spots with the always-aggressive Saints. Loomis gets to have his cake and eat it, too.

The Draft Network(Fowler)

Commanders trade down with the Saints who select Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

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Trade up

CBS Sports(Trapasso)

Commanders trade a 4th-round pick and their 2026 3rd-round pick to trade up to No. 24 with the Vikings

The Commanders don’t sit and hope the Boston College star drops to them. And the Vikings are happy to slide back, as they start this draft with only four selections.

Sports Illustrated(Landis)

Commanders trade up with the Vikings

Trade! Washington moves up with the Vikings, who only have four picks in this draft. Emmanwori replaces new Raider Jeremy Chinn in Washington, fitting in nicely in Dan Quinn’s defense with his extreme athletic abilities.