Who is Washington picking in 2025?
The Washington Commanders season ended with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. This season was better than anyone could have expected with a new GM, HC, and QB coming off of a 4-13 season with the previous regime. Washington finished the season with a 12-5 record, and added wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions in the playoffs.
Washington now enters their offseason, and they have already been doing work on this year’s draft. The Combine starts next week and then the private workouts and official visits will start. This process will continue up until the draft kicks off on April 24th in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Commanders currently have seven draft picks, and they’ve already made several trades, and more will likely happen before the draft ends on April 26th.
Washington had the No. 2 overall pick last year, and picked the best player in the draft, QB Jayden Daniels. They ended the weekend with nine draft picks, and used those picks to help turned over a roster that had the second-worst record in the league last season. They also signed 20+ free agents, and there will be more turnover this year with a lot of players signed to one-year deals.
Adam Peters and Dan Quinn know that they need to build this team around Jayden Daniels, and the best way to do that long-term is through the draft. Washington will definitely be active in free agency, and that will change the team’s needs and draft priorities. For right now, we’re looking at a team that played with a lot of heart, and had one of the best single-season turnarounds in NFL history. They need a big influx of new, younger talent at a lot of positions. On offense, wide receiver and offensive line are heavily represented here, with five different players representing their position groups.
The Commanders’ defense needs a lot of help, and EDGE defender tops that long list. There will be plenty of options available at the end of the first round and that is the most popular pick in this week’s roundup with another five different players. Cornerback is another popular choice as the team also has several pending free agents in the secondary.
And we start it off with a trade!
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
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Pro Football Focus(Sikkema)
Trade terms: Commanders receive 2025 first-round pick (No. 19); Buccaneers receive 2025 first-round pick (No. 29), 2025 third-round pick (No. 75)
The Commanders will likely be in on the Myles Garrett Sweepstakes, but if they don’t land him, they could stay aggressive in the draft and trade up for an edge defender. Here, they find a trade partner in Tampa Bay to make it happen.
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
NFL.com(Edholm)
Washington needs as many impact defenders as it can find, and edge rusher is high on the priority list. Pearce is a leggy, loose rusher with some burst.
E$PN+(Miller)
Building around quarterback Jayden Daniels at wide receiver or on the offensive line would be a smart move, but the Commanders have to plug up the defensive holes that led to a 32-point loss in the NFC Championship Game. Pearce is a speed rusher with legitimate burst off the snap, which led to 17.5 sacks and 92 pressures the past two seasons combined. He needs time to build up his lower body to better hold up in the run game, but he has a similar profile to the Eagles’ Nolan Smith Jr. and could be that type of early-impact player.
Round 2: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Quarterback Jayden Daniels had an amazing rookie season, but the Commanders need to get him more receivers. Harris is a big-bodied pass catcher at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, and he caught 63 passes for 1,030 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. He excels on underneath routes and wins in contested situations.
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.
Yahoo Sports(Tice/Robinson)
The Commanders’ front seven was essentially built out of their talented defensive tackles and a bunch of other guns for hire. Pearce’s pass rush-first style will actually fit well with Dan Quinn’s 120-mph-at-all-times style. He still needs to work on his consistency in impacting the game.
Athlon Sports(Easterling)
Left tackle and corner are strong possibilities here, but in this scenario, the value points Washington to the defensive front. After trading away both Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the Commanders have lacked a dominant edge rusher who can take over games. Pearce’s inconsistency could keep him on the board longer than expected, but his upside would be worth the gamble here.
Round 2: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Round 3: Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
The Athletic(Standig)
The case for a first-round defensive end is straightforward: Washington ranked 30th against the run during the 2024 regular season, allowing 4.8 yards per carry, and then surrendered 531 rushing yards in three playoff games. Teams found success attacking the perimeter. Unlike inside with tackle Johnny Newton, no potential stud exists coming off the edge. With Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell entering free agency, Washington’s defensive end depth could take a hit.
Scourton’s superpower is against the run, and Washington needs a stout competitor capable of setting a firm edge. Targeting more of a pass rusher has merits, though Scourton had 15 sacks and 29 tackles for loss over his final two college seasons. If Peters locks up line help in free agency, Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson and Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden are potential options late in Round 1.
Round 2: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
The position isn’t a screaming need. The playmaking is. While there are no significant qualms about sticking with the current combination, Brian Robinson Jr.’s production faded as the season progressed, and the final year of Austin Ekeler’s contract isn’t fully guaranteed. Washington ranked third in rushes of 20 or more yards, but only nine were from Robinson or Ekeler. The pair added 10 receptions of at least 20 yards with Ekeler, who missed five games with concussions, accounting for nine.
The 5-foot-10, 208-pound Henderson checks one box for Peters — he was a team captain for the Buckeyes — and several more as an ideal read-option partner for Daniels. From The Athletic’s draft insider, Dane Brugler:
“Although his inside vision can get a little messy, Henderson can bounce laterally and smash the accelerator to sprint through voids or convert his speed to power as a finisher. His impact on passing downs will help separate him in the running back stack — he delivers thunderbolts into targets as a pass blocker and secures grabs away from his frame as a receiver, showing dynamic ability on option routes.”
Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals, Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery and Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer are other prospects in the mid-to-late second-round range.
Round 3: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College
The Commanders are situated where both of last year’s starting tackles — Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie — could return to their familiar spots, or none of their top four tackles could play the position for Washington in 2025.
Whether the staff sees Coleman at left or right tackle or better off inside, whether they desire the cap savings with Wylie’s release or retain free-agent backups Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott, youth and upside are required to grow with Daniels. The 6-foot-7, 321-pound Trapilo started three years for Boston College and played both tackle spots. Washington logically would sign a veteran starter if Wylie exits, meaning Trapilo, another team captain in college, gets a year of seasoning with offensive line coach Bobby Johnson.
Round 5: Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
Round 6: Connor Colby, G, Iowa
Round 7: Jaylin Smith, CB, USC
Round 7: Camron Jackson, DT, Florida
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The 33rd Team(Crabbs)
Washington’s pass rush outlook needs more juice for the Commanders to close the gap in the trenches between themselves as the Eagles. Dan Quinn’s defense runs on aggressive, explosive talent and Nic Scourton’s Purdue tape in 2023 was loaded with plenty of the reps that could move the needle in DC. Quinn’s defense was assembled in large part by short-term free agent additions — if the team is unable to maintain the full unit, securing a long-term piece on the edge may be a wise play.
Round 2: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Washington can add more skill players to build around Jayden Daniels now that they know his strengths — Harris is a physical vertical threat to help create big plays downfield.
FOX Sports(Rang)
With veterans Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong each pending free agents, the Commanders were likely already looking to boost their pass rush this offseason, but Philadelphia’s big win will have NFC East divisional opponents especially eager to follow suit. Head coach Dan Quinn cut his coaching teeth working on the defensive line, and he could become enamored with the burst, bend and production from Green, who eased concerns about his level of competition with a stellar showing in Mobile.
Pro Football Network(Rolfe)
The Washington Commanders’ defense improved throughout the 2024 season and their pass rush was a big part of that. They finished eighth in the league in pressure rate without blitzing (33.6%), and that is an area they will want to maintain in 2025 and beyond.
With Dante Fowler Jr. set to be a free agent, Nic Scourton could be an immediate replacement. He has the traits to be an effective NFL pass rusher, with technical skill, bend, size, and power. His drop down to five sacks in 2024 from 10 in 2023 when he stepped up a level is a concern. However, by dropping some weight at the NFL level, he could add some explosiveness and become a disruptor in the NFL.
Round 2: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
The Commanders’ offense has a glaring need at wide receiver. They have their No. 1 in Terry McLaurin, and Luke McCaffrey has the tools to be the slot receiver. However, they need an outside receiver opposite McLaurin, and Elic Ayomanor might be the right player to fill that spot.
Ayomanor showcased impressive downfield ability, fluid athleticism, and the power to win in contested situations. His natural movement and route-running skills make him an intriguing prospect. Coming from Stanford also means the Commanders would be getting an intelligent player, who has proven he can prosper in a struggling offense at the college level.
Round 3: Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
With Jeremy Chinn and Darrick Forrest both set to be free agents this offseason, the Commanders may well find themselves in need of a safety to fill those holes. If they can find someone that is pro-ready in Round 3, that is ideal for them, even if they bring one of Chinn or Forrest back.
Kevin Winston Jr. has showcased elite playmaking ability, excelling in pursuit, tracking, and tackling. His instincts in coverage and tackle security highlight his potential as a refined prospect with the tools to thrive in the NFL for the next decade.
Round 5: Trey Wedig, OT, Indiana
Round 6: Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota
Round 7: Gus Hartwig, C, Purdue
Round 7: Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas
JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
NFL.com(Reuter)
Tuimoloau will step into the Commanders’ starting lineup as a rookie, using his explosive burst and strong, active hands to play like a veteran from Day 1, just as he did with Ohio State.
Round 2: Kobee Bryant, CB, Kentucky
Round 3: Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue
Jordan Burch, DE/DT, Oregon
Walter Football(Campbell)
The Commanders could use more defensive end talent.
Burch has been a talented player for years but inconsistent. In 2024, he put it all together with 31 tackles, five passes batted, one forced fumble, and 8.5 sacks. The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder has good height, length, quickness, and athleticism. He has versatility as he can play end or tackle. As an end he is an intriguing player as a power edge rusher. In 2023, he had 34 tackles with three sacks. The previous season he had 60 tackles with 3.5 sacks.
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.
Jared Ivey, EDGE, Ole Miss
College Sports Network(Dorsey)
Ivey got overshadowed at Ole Miss sometimes because he was playing alongside Walter Nolan and Princely Umanmielen, but he was very productive last season. The Commanders fill their need at EDGE by picking a bigger, powerful edge rusher here.
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
NFL.com(Jeremiah)
Campbell is one of my favorite players in the class. I believe you’ll see some teams work him out as an edge rusher this spring. When he’s allowed to rush, he flashes elite potential.
FOX Sports
Campbell might be the best pure off-ball linebacker in the draft — recording 185 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 21 QB hurries, two interceptions and two forced fumbles over his last two seasons with the Tide. Bobby Wagner is 34 years old and the Alabama product could be the perfect player to mold as his replacement.
Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
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. Shavon Revel Jr. will come in a little bit raw, but he’s got the tools and frame to be a shutdown corner in the NFL, and Washington has a very good coaching staff and head coach who knows how to develop a secondary.
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Fantasy Life(Nystrom)
The NFC championship loss to the Eagles shot boundary cornerback to the top of Washington’s needs list if it wasn’t already. Here, the Commanders take a sticker-price discount on Morrison.
The son of former NFL safety Darryl Morrison, Morrison looked like a surefire top-15 prospect prior to the hip injury that ended his 2024 season in September. That injury, of course, will need to be signed off on by medical staffs at the NFL Combine.
Morrison had six interceptions as a true freshman in 2022 and was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in 2023. When Morrison was on the field in college, he was generally the best player on it.
Tankathon
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Pro Football Focus(Liskiewitz)
Barron would be a major addition for the Commanders, bringing versatility and high-level ball production to the secondary. He was a standout in coverage last season, allowing just a 53.6% completion rate on throws into his coverage. He recorded five interceptions, broke up 10 more passes and didn’t surrender a single touchdown all season.
Round 2: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
Injuries slowed Williams in the postseason, but he was outstanding throughout the 2024 regular season. In pass protection, he allowed just three sacks and two quarterback hits.
Round 3: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
Ferguson was a consistent chain-mover for the Ducks in 2024, with 31 of his 46 receptions resulting in first downs. He also proved to be a big-play threat, recording 18 explosive catches of 15 or more yards.
Round 5: Kobe Hudson, WR, UCF
A true deep threat for UCF, Hudson showcased his big-play ability in 2024, averaging 16.8 yards per reception. He was also highly efficient, averaging an impressive 2.74 yards per route run.
Round 7: Cam’Ron Jackson, DL, Florida
Jackson graded above 70.0 in each of the last three seasons and recorded 60 defensive stops over that span, a top-40 mark among all interior defenders in the nation over that span.
Round 7: Jordan Hancock, S, Ohio State
A reliable starter on the nation’s top defense in 2024, Hancock proved tough to beat in coverage. He allowed just 31 receptions on 53 targets while forcing incompletions on 11.3% of passes thrown his way.
Round 7: Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina
Sanders’ big-play ability was on full display in 2022 during his breakout sophomore season at Arkansas, when he racked up 41 runs of 10 or more yards and forced 65 missed tackles.
NFL Spin Zone(Scataglia)
Jahdae Barron kind of feels like Brian Branch a little bit, doesn’t he? Barron can play all over the secondary and is going to be a huge player for Dan Quinn’s defense. He’s the Washington Commanders pick at the 29th slot in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
Washington shocked the NFL world in 2024 and went 12-5 in the regular season. They also won their first two playoff games and were one game away from the Super Bowl this year. It was truly astounding to see just how far this team went with a head coach in his first year on this job and with a rookie QB in Jayden Daniels.
With a ton of cap space for 2025, Washington is going to be a problem for years to come. They’ll also add a key player to their secondary in this NFL Mock Draft with the selection of Jahdae Barron.
Nick Emmanwori S, South Carolina
Fox Sports(Klatt)
The Commanders need to address the defense, as we all saw in the NFC Championship Game. I think they should make a play for Myles Garrett. If they’re able to land Garret without giving up this pick, I like Emmanwori here for Washington. I think he’s the best run-stopping safety in the draft.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
E$PN+(Yates)
As the Commanders look to surround Jayden Daniels with more playmakers, they could tap back into the Ohio State receiver pipeline to pair Terry McLaurin with Egbuka, who leaves Columbus with the most catches in school history (205). Egbuka is among the most ready-made prospects in this class, as he features pristine route running, reliable hands and a selflessness as a blocker that the Commanders would undoubtedly love. He caught 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes this season.
CBS Sports(Edwards)
Terry McLaurin has delivered big plays for the Commanders, but they could use a more consistent outlet underneath to capitalize on those field-stretching plays. Emeka Egbuka did not set Ohio State receiving records by coincidence, but rather a committed approach to route-running.
NFL Spin Zone(Bedinger)
It worked out pretty well for the Washington Commanders the last time they took an Ohio State receiver, didn’t it? The mission of the 2025 offseason for the Commanders is going to be getting long-term pieces to surround star quarterback Jayden Daniels, and adding a dependable receiver who can play inside or outside as well as help in the running game as a blocker? This is a high-floor type of pick for a team like the Commanders.
Round 2: Jordan Burch, DL/EDGE, Oregon
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Athletic(Baumgardner)
The Commanders need more speed and playmaking ability around Jayden Daniels, be it at tight end, running back or wide receiver. All feel like options — good options, given how the board could fall — in Round 1.
Golden exploded as Texas’ top WR this year, and the 6-foot, 200-pound burner will flirt with a 4.3-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
Round 2: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Round 3: Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina
CBS Sports(Fornelli)
We know who the quarterback will be here for a long time; now the job is surrounding him with what he needs. Perhaps that’s an offensive lineman, or perhaps it’s another weapon in the passing game. Terry McLaurin is criminally underrated across the league, but the Commanders could use upgrades behind him. Golden’s stock skyrocketed during Texas’ playoff run as Isaiah Bond dealt with injuries. A lot of the things Golden was asked to do in Texas’ offense translate to what the Commanders do in theirs.
USA Today(Middlehurst-Schwatz)
How does Washington take Jayden Daniels to the next level after a nearly unanimous Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign? Bringing in Golden, a fluid and quick-twitch target who can threaten defenses all over the field, seems like a good start, as he would give the dynamic quarterback a much-needed complement to Pro Bowler 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.
Sportsnaut(Johnson/Buller-Russ)
Find more help for Jayden Daniels. Terry McLaurin is a bonafide No. 1 receiver who has earned every dollar of a looming contract extension, but the rest of this Washington Commanders receiving corps is underwhelming. Matthew Golden became the Longhorns’ top receiver down the stretch, thanks in part to his outstanding route-running who can also make some plays downfield. With defenses focused on both McLaurin and needing to account for Daniels’ rushing ability, Golden could thrive in this Commanders’ offense for the next five years.
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
NFL com(Frelund)
I am pretty shocked my model didn’t have the Commanders taking an offensive lineman here, but maybe that reinforces the lack of first-round value among that group this year. Burden’s stutter step (starting, stopping, etc.) and slot-production potential should fit well with Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury.
SB Nation(Acosta)
This is the dream scenario for Washington, who don’t have to move up and get a player tailor made for their offense. Burden might be a slot-only receiver, but his strength after the catch and explosive ability with the ball in his hands make him a great fit for the Commanders’ offense.
Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
The Draft Network(Fowler)
Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. was a thought here, as was RB Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), but adding talent away from Terry McLaurin has been a topic of conversation here at No. 29. Now, this pick may be sent to the Browns if Washington pulls the trigger for Myles Garrett, and if GM Adam Peters can make the move, then WR becomes a focus on day two—as does RB and DB. If nothing happens with a move for Garrett, which is very possible, Jalen Royals is a nuanced, explosive, and sure-handed target who would further elevate the skill group around OROY Jayden Daniels and is a player who has been a popular name in conversations with teams regarding ‘risers’ into day one. Daniels did a fantastic job elevating the skill sets around him in his rookie year but more juice is needed at the position.
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
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.
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
NBC Sports Boston(Perry)
Zach Ertz will eventually hand the torch to Loveland, who will help Jayden Daniels get better and better at attacking the middle of the field. Scary duo here for the rest of the NFC East.
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
NFL.com(Zierlein)
This is a talented, fluid athlete who is currently rehabbing from a season-ending knee injury but apparently plans to be cleared for training camp. Building the protection around Jayden Daniels is essential, and Simmons would significantly bolster that pursuit.
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.
DraftTek
Washington just enjoyed a wild ride all the way to the NFC Championship game, something literally no one saw coming-and something he-who-shall-not-be-named reportedly hates with every fiber of his being (take that, loser!).
While the team’s success was a ton of fun and Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels should be an elite QB for years to come, this roster is chock full of holes. In fact, I can only name a few positions that aren’t objectively upgradeable this offseason. On offense, the team needs a weapon opposite Scary Terry, a more consistent threat at RB, a starting OT (possibly 2 if Brandon Coleman ends up at OG), and a plan at TE after Zach Ertz.
Defensively, this team could upgrade every single position beyond OLB Frankie Luvu and CB Mike Sainristil. The defensive numbers improved significantly at the end of the year, but a quick glance at the QBs Washington faced during this ‘improvement’ leaves a lot to be desired. I expect Washington to try to re-sign Jeremy Chinn at safety and sign at least one of the big names at CB, so my guess is this draft is heavy on front-seven talent. GM Adam Peters and HC Dan Quinn must be salivating at this year’s deep class up front on the defensive end. The Commanders add OT Josh Simmons here, but this weeks SIM indeed has the team loading up the defensive front seven.
Round 2: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Round 3: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Round 5: Tyler Batty, EDGE, BYU
Round 6: Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska
Round 7: Omari Thomas, DL, Tennessee
Round 7: Willie Lampkin, OG, North Carolina
Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
NFL.com(Parr)
If you’re going to protect Jayden Daniels from the ferocious pass rushers of the NFC East, you better invest in the offensive line. Washington spends its top pick on an O-lineman for the first time in a decade.
NFL.com(Filipe)
PROTECT JAYDEN DANIELS AT ALL COSTS. The Offensive Rookie of the Year took 47 sacks in the regular season. While that figure pales in comparison to Caleb Williams’ absurd total (68), it’s still disconcerting, especially given Daniels’ slight frame. Third-round pick Brandon Coleman acquitted himself quite well as a rookie left tackle, but Washington would be wise to keep building a wall around the exhilarating new face of the franchise.
Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State
Pro Football Focus(Plocher)
While Jayden Daniels was phenomenal as a rookie, NFL history suggests he could be in for a second-year regression. Adding a versatile and talented offensive lineman like Zabel should help to lessen a potential regression for Daniels and the Commanders’ offense in 2025.
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Athletic
The board works out nicely for Washington considering its needs at offensive tackle, edge rusher (Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton) and wide receiver (Texas’ Matthew Golden) are available. Since the DE class is considered deep, the Commanders start the draft by helping QB Jayden Daniels, beefing up his offensive line. Both of last season’s tackle starters are on the roster, but it’s unclear if the front office sees 2024 third-rounder Brandon Coleman as the long-term left tackle. Meanwhile, right tackle Andrew Wylie is a potential salary-cap cut. Backups Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott are free agents, so there’s a depth aspect regardless. The 6-4, 325-pound Banks started three seasons for the Longhorns. He won’t turn 21 until March and has long-term potential at left tackle. One of the three tackles could open the season at right guard, while Sam Cosmi rehabs from ACL surgery.
Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
Pro Football Network(Lewis)
Cameron Williams is one of a select few athletes in this class who possess legitimate OT tools from top to bottom. He does all this in a ridiculously athletic 335-pound frame. Williams is certainly an inexperienced gamble, but his length, ease of movement, natural power, and flashes of consistent brilliance are enticing.