Who is Washington picking in 2025?
The Washington Commanders are entering season two of the Adam Peters/Dan Quinn/Jayden Daniels era, and the team needs to make improvements to a lot of positions. A lot of that will take place next month when free agency starts, but April’s draft will continue to provide the long-term talent infusion that Washington has needed for decades. Adam Peters currently has seven picks to work with after five trades during his first year as a GM.
The NFL world has been in Indianapolis this week for the start of the Scouting Combine. On-field workouts will start today with the defensive linemen and linebackers, and other positions have been getting their chance to talk to the media today. This gives us a chance to look at who the mock draft community has been linking to the Washington Commanders with the No. 29 overall pick, and which ones think they won’t be picking on Day 1 after trading for Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett!
Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest mock draft two days ago, and he has the Washington Commanders taking Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston. This pick wasn’t received well by fans who had flashbacks to drafting a skinny CB in Emmanuel Forbes two years ago, only to be released during his first year in Dan Quinn’s defense. Hairston is also projected as a 2nd round pick, and Kiper has him going to Washington at No. 29. The Hair was the only one to pick Hairston for Washington in this week’s roundup.
There are two other DBs projected to the Commanders at the end of the first round, including Texas CB Jahdae Barron. A pair of SEC linebackers get linked to Washington this week with Bobby Wagner set to be a free agent next month. Then there are the defensive ends/edge defenders who take up the bulk of the list on defense again. There are five different players to choose from, along with a few other names from the Day 2 picks.
Wide receiver has the biggest variety of players on offense, with five guys getting looks to fill the starting role opposite Terry McLaurin. Washington would probably love to add another former Ohio State receiver who runs “crisp routes” like Emeka Egbuka. We’ve also got our first, first round RB for the Commanders in UNC’s Omarion Hampton.
The offensive line was reworked last year through free agency and the draft, and that will need to happen again this year. Sam Cosmi tore his ACL last month and will miss significant time, if not the entire season, as he recovers. Washington could also use upgrades at LG and tackle if they want to keep Jayden Daniels, and the offense working and improving. There are four OTs to choose from in this week’s roundup, and one could get the call from Adam Peters on draft day.
We’re up to two trades for Myles Garrett!
Washington Commanders 2025 NFL Draft Picks
Round 1 – #29
Round 2 – #61
Round 3 (from MIA via PHI) – #79
Round 5 (from NOLA) – #148
Round 6 – #207
Round 7 (from DEN via PHI) – #238
Round 7 (from PHI) – #249
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
E$PN+(Kiper)
This offseason should be all about maximizing the Jayden Daniels rookie contract window and building a winner. That might mean pursuing receiver Tee Higgins in free agency. It might mean adding a run stopper. But it should definitely mean shoring up the secondary. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was released this season, two years after being a first-round pick. And while the big midseason trade for Marshon Lattimore moved the needle, he struggled to get onto the field amid a hamstring injury. Toss in that Benjamin St-Juste is a free agent, and there’s room for improvement here.
Hairston has terrific awareness in coverage, and his recognition skills and speed allow him to get to the ball before it arrives. He had six interceptions over his past two seasons.
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Sporting News(Iyer)
The Commanders need a versatile cover man who can make a lot of plays on the ball. Barron can shore up the inside coverage in a hybrid safety/nickelback role.
Round 2: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
The Commanders got just OK play from Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie at the tackles last season. Williams is a power prospect first with some developing athleticism.
Bleacher Nation(Rooney)
For as good of a season as Washington has had, they could stand to improve at a few different positions. They need help getting to the quarterback, and they also need help in their secondary. Jahdae Barron is a versatile corner who can give Dan Quinn options in how he’d like to deploy him. Whether that’s on the outside, at nickel, or as a safety at times, Barron can come in and help the Commanders’ defense however Quinn sees fit.
Nick Emmanwori S, South Carolina
CBS Sports(Podell)
The Commanders could use a new strong safety with Jeremy Chinn set to hit the open market, so Dan Quinn and Co. bolster their defense with 2024 first-team All-American Nick Emmanwori. He’s someone who brings the boom on a consistent basis, something that Quinn values highly.
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Los Angeles Times(Farmer)
The Commanders, who last season added Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, could use a youth infusion at linebacker.
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Sportsnaut(Buller-Russ)
The Commanders need impact defenders on all three levels. Jalon Walker can help on multiple fronts, working as a pass-rusher, a run defender and in coverage. We’re confident Dan Quinn can maximize the verstile defender’s skillset in Washington.
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
CBS Sports (Trapasso)
The Commanders make this selection hoping Dan Quinn and Co. can get the most out of the ridiculous frame and athletic profile of Williams.
James Pearce, Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
CBS Sports(Renner)
James Pearce Jr. is one of the best athletes in the defensive end class. He made big strides as a run defender this past fall as well. While he needs to get stronger, Pearce has the kind of traits that head coach Dan Quinn has been able to deploy effectively.
Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
NFL Spin Zone(Scataglia)
It would not shock me if the Washington Commanders swung a major trade this offseason. They have the draft capital and the financial resources to pull something off. This team was outstanding in 2024 with rookie QB sensation Jayden Daniels.
They went 12-5 in the regular season and won 14 total games in 2024, making it within one game of the Super Bowl. Washington was probably not expected to make the playoffs, let alone face the Philadelphia Eagles in the conference championship game, but here we are.
The team is now slated to pick 29th in the 2025 NFL Draft, and another pass rusher makes a lot of sense for this team. Heck, if you told me they were able to come away with Myles Garrett, I would not be shocked.
For now, though, they won’t pull that trade off here. They will instead take Texas A&M pass rusher Nic Scourton and continue building through the NFL Draft.
Round 2: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Round 3: Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
Princely Umanmielen, EDGE Mississippi
Draft Countdown(Menendez)
What do you give the surprise team of 2024? For defensive help, I think Edge, Safety, or Corner are the top pressing positions to focus on this offseason. Also, a wide receiver could be in play if they feel like they need one.
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Fantasy Life(Freedman)
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The 33rd Team(Crabbs)
Washington getting a new toy for Jayden Daniels has to be high up on their list. Even if it isn’t the top need or the most pressing item on the roster, a player like Daniels can clearly change the math on game day, and he appears to have the gene necessary to make magic happen.
So give him another crisp route runner from Ohio State — putting Egbuka with McLaurin gives Washington a hell of a combo.
Round 2: Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
Pro Football Network(DeLeone)
What better way to help out your young quarterback than adding another Ohio State receiver? Emeka Egbuka’s impact in the slot thanks to his route running and quick feet would be an ideal fit alongside Terry McLaurin.
Round 2: Chase Lundt, OT, UConn
Chase Lundt will likely be a riser after the NFL Combine because of the athletic tools he plays with. His mobility and flexibility are ideal for his development into a starting tackle for Washington.
Round 3: Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU
The Commanders appear to be a likely candidate to add a big-name pass rusher through free agency or the trade market. They’ll still need to add more athleticism to their defensive line. Bradyn Stinson has the bend and burst needed to develop into a disruptive starter.
Round 5: Jordan James, RB, Oregon
Round 6: Jaylin Smith, CB, USC
Round 7: Tyler Cooper, IOL, Minnesota
Round 7: Thor Griffith, DL, Louisville
College Sports Network(Helms)
I love this team-player pairing, so with the Ohio State Buckeyes’ all-time leading receiving Emeka Egbuka available at 29 in this 2025 NFL mock draft, Washington runs to the podium to give Jayden Daniels an elite slot receiver.
Daniels has opened the Commanders’ window to compete, the next step is to load up his offense with weapons. The rest of the team’s holes can be filled in free agency or with later picks.
Round 2: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Jack Sawyer became an Ohio State legend with his strip-sack and return touchdown in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Texas and now he lands in a great landing spot. I expect the Commanders to target an edge rusher early and after getting their slot receiver in the first, they grab Sawyer in the second round of this 7-round mock draft.
Round 3: Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
Round 5: Nohl Williams, CB, California
Round 6: Jackson Woodard, LB, UNLV
Round 7: Simeon Barrow, DT, Miami (FL)
Round 7: Carson Bruener, LB, Washington
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
NFL.com(Brooks)
Understandably looking to build around 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, the Commanders take a playmaker early in this exercise.
USA Today(Middlehurst-Schwatz)
Unless Washington wants to make a serious push to sign Tee Higgins, it might need to look to the draft to provide a substantial upgrade to Jayden Daniels’ receiving corps. Golden’s crisp route running and upside as an intermediate target should help him become an immediate asset as a complement to Terry McLaurin.
Sharp Football Analysis(Donahue)
Washington, specifically rookie of the year Jayden Daniels, greatly exceeded expectations last year, so it’s already time to start giving him more weapons as their timeline has been moved up. Golden can play outside or inside and be a nice compliment to Terry McLaurin.
NFL Spin Zone(Bedinger)
At some point in the 2025 offseason, I think we’ll see the Washington Commanders add veteran receiver Deebo Samuel (thanks to his connection with Commanders GM Adam Peters, a former 49ers executive) and then add another playmaker in the NFL Draft. Matthew Golden worked well out of the slot for the Texas Longhorns this past year and would give Jayden Daniels another reliable target to spread the ball to.
Tankathon
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The Athletic
Former Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels needs more playmakers, and Burden is the best option on the board. The two-time all-SEC selection finished in the top six in Tigers history in yards, receptions and touchdown catches. The fact that his final season wasn’t as good as Year 2 reflects more on Missouri than Burden. He lived up to his hype as one of Mizzou’s top signees of the modern recruiting era.
CBS Sports(Edwards)
Washington gets a dynamic yards-after-the-catch wide receiver for Jayden Daniels; pairing him with Terry McLaurin in the process.
Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Walter Football(Campbell)
The Commanders could use more weapons for Jayden Daniels.
Bond has 33 receptions for 532 yards and five touchdowns. Team sources think Bond is a late first-round or early second-round talent. The 5-foot-11, 182-pounder has dangerous speed to challenge defenses deep downfield and is a threat to score on any catch. Bond flashed ability with Alabama in 2023, snatching 48 passes for 668 yards and four touchdowns.
Round 2: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Washington could use more young talent for the offensive line.
The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Ersery has been a dependable blind side protector for Minnesota over 2023 and 2022. Ersery has good size and is a physical blocker at the point of attack. Ersery has power and explosion off the ball. In the NFL, he could get consideration at left or right tackle.
Round 3: Kaimon Rucker, DE, North Carolina
Washington could use more young pass rushing options.
Rucker (6-2, 265) had 30 tackles, six sacks, one interception, and one pass batted in six games of play. Rucker had an undisclosed leg injury, which kept him out of September and into October. He has some pass rush ability off the edge, but lacks height and length for the NFL. Rucker was a dangerous edge rusher for North Carolina in 2023, recording 8.5 sacks and 61 tackles. In 2022, he totaled 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He recorded four sacks in 2021.
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Fantasy Points(Whitefield)
Scary Terry McLaurin isn’t “young” anymore, and I feel the same way about the situation as I do about the Patriots — the offseason priority has to be improving things around Jayden Daniels. Upgrading the talent at outside WR while getting someone to take the load post-McLaurin is a great outcome for the Commanders in the first round.
TWSN(Meek)
There was a lot of chatter about the Commanders being interested in Tee Higgins, but if they can’t get him, they could still go out and get a receiver. Ayomanor isn’t an elite athlete but separates well and is a playmaker.
Walter Football
The Redskins need to give Jayden Daniels another receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin.
Elic Ayomanor is a tough receiver with good size.
Round 2: Savion Williams, WR, TCU
The Redskins have nothing at receiver outside of Terry McLaurin. They could double up on wideouts.
Savion Williams is a huge receiver, measuring at 6-foot-5.
Round 3: T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
The Redskins are one of the worst teams when it comes to stopping the run.
T.J. Sanders had a breakout ’23 season. He possesses a ton of upside.
Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC
Yahoo Sports(Tice/Robinson)
Surprise? A second running back enters the first round with Hampton getting drafted at this point. Hampton and Jayden Daniels would form a hellacious backfield in Washington that might allow the Commanders to make another deep playoff run next season.
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
CBS Sports(Wilson)
A San Diego State transfer where he played right tackle, Simmons was a pleasant surprise in Columbus, where he was not only installed at left tackle, but he was playing at a high level before an October knee injury against Oregon ended his season. I thought he might come back to school — he could probably use the experience — but instead has declared for the ‘25 draft. And in a draft light along the offensive line, fully expect Simmons to draw some first-round consideration, even if he might need a year or two of seasoning.
Athlon Sports(Easterling)
There are tons of needs on defense for Washington, but the top priority has to be ensuring Jayden Daniels is protected for the long term. Simmons missed the majority of the 2024 season after suffering a knee injury, but prior to getting hurt, he was playing like a top-10 pick. If he’s able to return to that level of play after he’s fully recovered, the Commanders could end up with a massive steal here.
Round 2: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Round 3: Jared Ivey, Edge, Mississippi
A to Z Sports(May)
Josh Simmons was on track to perhaps become the clear OT1 in the 2025 NFL Draft prior to his injury in the Oregon game last fall. Simmons should be ready for training camp as a rookie, and the Commanders have to improve the offensive line play around Jayden Daniels if they want to protect their new franchise quarterback.
Round 2: Jordan Burch, EDGE Oregon
Round 3: Tai Felton, WR Maryland
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
CBS Sports(Fornelli)
Jayden Daniels can cover up a lot of mistakes by his offensive line, but that shouldn’t stop the Commanders from making efforts to improve it. The NFC Championship exposed the shortcomings the Commanders have up front, and they look to address it with Josh Conerly here.
Pro Football Network(Jones)
The Washington Commanders’ offensive line did an adequate job in 2024, but they must start planning for the future. Andrew Wylie will enter his final year on his current deal in 2025, and he isn’t stopping Washington from getting younger and more athletic up front.
Josh Conerly Jr. is an agile, fluid mover with impressive hands and active footwork. The Oregon left tackle could still improve his strength to enhance his run blocking, but he displays good recovery skills and has a solid anchor in pass protection. At 6’4” and 313 pounds, he possesses the traits worth investing in.
Rotoballer(Donnelly)
Washington has a glaring need along the offensive line and Josh Conerly Jr. is the best offensive lineman on the board. Conerly was named the top OL on the national squad during the Reese’s Senior Bowl in a vote from the defensive line and linebacker groups.
Conerly still needs to develop, but he did have some good reps last season against Abdul Carter and Jack Sawyer and allowed just a pair of sacks during his collegiate career.
Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
The Draft Network(Sanchez)
The Washington Commanders are well on their way to being one of the best teams in the NFL after only one year with Jayden Daniels as their signal-caller. However, they have to remain focused on improving the surroundings around Daniels, and one of those areas is improving the offensive line. The Commanders drafting Aireonate Ersery means they could move Brandon Coleman to IOL while giving them a potential bookend LT for the next 10 years.
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
TWSN
The Commanders went on a Cinderella run and are gearing up to do it again. The Commanders NEED more talent on their offensive line and Membou has some LEGIT upside
Trade for Myles Garrett
Pro Football Focus(Wasserman)
Trade terms: Commanders receive Myles Garrett, 2025 third-round pick (No. 95); Browns receive 2025 first-round pick (No. 29), 2025 third-round pick (No. 79), 2026 first-round pick
In this hypothetical scenario, the Browns receive two first-round picks for Myles Garrett along with a favorable pick swap in this year’s third round. Given that they already selected Abdul Carter, they target an offensive weapon in Golden, an excellent route runner who had a late breakout this season for Texas.
Bleacher Nation(Russell)
Trade terms: Commanders receive Myles Garrett. Browns receive a 2025 first-rounder (No. 29), a 2026 first-rounder, and a 2027 second-rounder.
The Browns score two first-round picks and a second-rounder for Myles Garrett from Washington who wants to get everything they can out of Jayden Daniels during his rookie contract. While two first-rounders might be a stretch, the Commanders might be one player away on defense from a spot in the Super Bowl. The Browns use this pick to add a talented edge rusher in Mike Green who had 17 sacks at Marshall in 2024.