Adam Peters’ Draft Tells – Who will be the Commanders’ top targets?

Ever since Josh Harris and company bought the team and hired Adam Peters to run the show, the news out of Ashburn has been very limited. Beat reporters don’t seem to be fed tidbits and if they are, they don’t share them.

Bruce Allen was a walking Magic 8 Ball and Scot McCloughan may have been even worse (with certain reporters). Ron Rivera opened his mouth when it should have remained closed and that sometimes became a problem.

So, this no-leaks policy that the new staff has seemed to implement is a very good thing considering the leaky faucet we’ve had in Ashburn the last two decades. However, it does make free agency and the draft a bigger guessing game for outsiders.

All that being said, I believe, just like any good poker player, that I have spotted some of Adam Peters’ tells. You can read all about these, and how they play into Washington’s draft needs, below.

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Some of what we can glean from the 2024 draft:

1.) 40 collegiate games played:

-Of last year’s draft picks, all but Ben Sinnott (38) played in at least 40 collegiate games.

2.) Collegiate production:

-Adam Peters seems to like guys who get better every year in college and never truly plateau.

3.) Team Captains:

-Five of the eight draft picks were team captains including all three of the first three picks.

4.) Senior Bowl:

-Five of the eight draft picks were chosen to play in the Senior Bowl.

5.) Post season accolades:

-Every draft pick received at least an All-Conference mention.

-Four were named to at least one All-American team.

6.) Four years removed from high school:

-Every player selected in the 2024 draft was at least four years removed from high school when drafted.

-Six of the eight picks were 5 years or more removed from high school.

7.) Elite athleticism:

-There were players like Jayden Daniels and Jer’Zhan Newton who didn’t test or do on-field work during the pre-draft process, but the 2024 class boasted some of the draft’s best athletes for their respective positions when it came to speed, quickness and explosion.

-There seems to be a strong correlation to RAS scores and draft choices.

8.) Multiple meetings:

-Last year’s draft picks all had meetings with the team – be it at all-star games, the combine, pro days and Top 30.

9.) No character concerns:

-From all reports I have seen from our 2024 class, none had any character concerns during the draft process.

-Both Peters and Quinn have spoken multiple times of locker room fits and what it takes to be a Commander both on and off the field, so I believe this is a BIG priority for our team.

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2025 Team Needs:

Some of our team needs have changed or lowered a bit after free agency, however some big ones still remain.

EDGE

CB

WR

OL

RB

S

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What top prospects could be on Adam Peters’ draft board based on what we have seen from the 2024 draft?

EDGE:

Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston college): Ezeiruaku seems to check all the boxes. He spent four years at Boston College and played in 47 games. He was highly productive as a senior garnering multiple post-season awards, including consensus All-American status. He was a team captain who was invited to play in the Senior Bowl and has met with the Commanders multiple times. He didn’t run the 40 but posted an outstanding 6.94 3-cone and a 35.5” vertical. He was said to have some of the best interviews at the scouting combine.

NFL Draft Projection: RD1-Early RD2

Landon Jackson (Arkansas): Jackson stands at an opposing 6’6” and weighs 268 pounds. The crazy part is he’s yet to even come close to his potential as a football player. He played in a total of 42 games between LSU (freshman year) and Arkansas and recorded back-to-back seasons with 6.5 sacks and at least 10 tackles for a loss. He served as a team captain, was twice named to the All-SEC team (junior and senior years) and was selected to participate in the Senior Bowl. His stock really began to rise after the combine, where he wowed teams with a 4.68 40, 40.5” vertical and 10-9 broad jump. He’s met with the Commanders multiple times, including at the Senior Bowl, Combine (formal) and Pro Day.

NFL Draft Projection: RD2

CB:

Trey Amos (Ole Miss): Amos is a 6’1” 195 pound press-man boundary corner who played in 61 career collegiate games and got better each season. He broke out as a senior at Ole Miss, where he had three interceptions, 13 passes defended and a forced fumble over 13 games while earning second team All-American honors and being selected to play in the Senior Bowl. Amos had an excellent combine showing off a 4.43 40 and a 10-6 broad jump to go along with an impressive on-field workout. Trey has met with the Commanders at the Senior Bowl, Combine (formal) and at his pro day.

NFL Draft Projection: RD2

Jahdae Barron (Texas): Barron played in 57 games over his five seasons at Texas and broke out as a senior with five interceptions, 11 passes defended and a forced fumble over 13 games while earning second team All-American honors and being selected to play in the Senior Bowl. Jahdae has some position versatility as both a corner and safety. He’s a highly respected locker room guy and supposedly wowed teams at the combine in the interview process.

NFL Draft Projection: RD1-2

WR:

Jayden Higgins (Iowa St.): Played in 22 games at Eastern Kentucky before transferring to Iowa State, where he went on to have two very productive seasons for the Cyclones through 26 games (48 total collegiate games). Higgins was a third team All-American and second team All-Big 12 performer after his senior season. He served as a fourth Iowa State team captain for one game and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl. Jayden stands at an impressive 6’4” and weighs 214 pounds. He put up exceptional testing numbers at the combine, posting a 4.47 40, 39” vertical and 10-8 broad jump. He met with the Commanders brass at the Senior Bowl, Combine and at his Pro Day.

NFL Draft Projection: RD2-3

Emeka Egbuka (Ohio St.): Highly productive receiver who has played in 49 career games and was a team captain. Egbuka has been an All-Big 10 performer and won a National Championship as a senior. He is a sturdy 6’1” 202 pounds and has inside/outside versatility. He had a great showing at Ohio State’s Pro Day running a 4.45 40, recording a 38” vertical and a great 4.12 short shuttle. He’s said to have really impressed teams in interviews and is a leader both on and off the field. He has met with the Commanders.

NFL Draft Projection: RD1-Early RD2

OL:

Josh Conerly (Oregon): Played in 41 career games and showed vast improvement each season. 2024 saw him walk away with numerous post-season accolades, including All-American and All-Big 10. He was selected to play in the Senior Bowl, where he had a really solid week leading up to the game. Conerly has met with the Commanders on multiple occasions, including having a Top 30 visit set up.

NFL Draft Projection: RD1-2

Wyatt Milum (West Virginia): Milum was a four-year starter for the Mountaineers, playing in 47 career games and logging nearly 3000 career snaps. He was a freshman All-American and second team All-American as a senior while being named the Big 12 offensive lineman of the year in 2024. Milum was also a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and winner of the prestigious Iron Mountaineer Award (2024), which exemplifies leadership and durability. He had an excellent week at the Senior Bowl at tackle and guard. He’s met with the Commanders multiple times, including having a Top 30 visit scheduled.

NFL Draft Projection: RD2

RB:

-Woody Marks (USC): Marks spent his first four years at Mississippi State before transferring to USC for his fifth and final year of college football. He had his best season in the Big 10, rushing for 1133 yards and nine touchdowns and catching 47 passes for 321 yards. He also showed kick return ability at Mississippi State. At 5’10” 213 pounds (Pro Day), Marks ran a 4.52 40 with an impressive 1.50 10-yard split to go along with a 35” vertical and 10” broad jump. He was named All-Big 10 second team and was selected to participate in the Senior Bowl. He’s met with Washington at the Senior Bowl, Combine (formal) and at USC’s Pro Day.

NFL Draft Projection: RD3-5

-Jordan James (Oregon): James’ 37 career games falls just short of the desired 40 games played, however he has a lot of tread left on the tires and is said to be an extremely well-spoken and mature young man who teams love. He broke out in a big way in 2024 with 1253 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 24 receptions for 202 yards. He measured just under 5’10 and has a compact 205 pound build. He’s never fumbled in a college game. He’s had meeting with Washington at the combine and Oregon’s Pro Day.

NFL Draft Projection: RD2-4

S:

-Billy Bowman (Oklahoma): Bowman is a versatile defensive back who has been a stalwart in the Sooners defense since arriving on campus as a true freshman. He played in 47 career games at safety, and had his breakout season as a junior, where he recorded six interceptions, returning three for touchdowns, and had four passes defended. He received first team All-American honors after the 2023 season. He recorded 11 interceptions during his four years at Oklahoma. Bowman was a team captain and selected to play in the Senior Bowl. He lit up the combine running a 4.42 40, jumping 35.5” in the vertical and showing an impressive 10-3 broad jump. He’s had multiple meetings with the Commanders, including a formal meeting at the combine. He’s said to be exceptional in interviews.

NFL Draft Projection: RD2-4

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Who could be eliminated from Peters’ board?

Mike Green: Two separate sexual assault claims – one in high school and one while he was at the University of Virginia, could eliminate the talented pass rusher from consideration.

James Pearce: There are rumors that Pearce had some of the worst interviews at the combine and he had a former high school teammate come out and say he had serious anger issues and wasn’t a very good person. Rumors about his work ethic and if he really loves football have also surfaced.

Luther Burden: Burden’s draft stock has taken a hit for a few reasons. First there are concerns that he’s a diva and quit on his team during a 34-0 loss to Alabama in 2024. Second is the severe drop-off in production from 2023 to 2024. He also falls short of the three years removed from high school and 40 games played that I believe Peter’s looks for.

Trevor Etienne: Despite being a team captain, selected to play in the Senior Bowl, and reportedly a good person and leader, Etienne was arrested for DUI and was suspended for a game last season despite having the charges dropped. He received 12 months probation and a fine, and this could cause pause for GM Adam Peters. Trevor has modest stats in just 34 career games.

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