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Daily Slop – 20 Apr 25

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NFL: APR 27 2023 Draft
Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Commanders links

Articles

Riggo’s Rag

Commanders projected to take Jayden Higgins in major NFL Draft surprise

This was a topic discussed by Dalton Wasserman from Pro Football Focus. The analyst pitched a massive draft curveball for the Commanders, with Jayden Higgins touted as someone who could round off the receiver room nicely.

“Adding another weapon like Jayden Higgins — who earned a perfect 99.9 intermediate receiving grade last season — would give Jayden Daniels the ability to consistently attack all three levels of the defense. Terry McLaurin could continue stretching the field as a deep threat, while Deebo Samuel thrives underneath with yards after the catch. Higgins’ ability to win in isolation would bring yet another dynamic element to an already dangerous offense.”

Higgins is projected to be a Day 2 selection by most analysts. But with the Commanders picking at No. 61 overall, taking him at No. 29 might not be so far-fetched if they believe he won’t last that long.

Commanders Wire

6 running backs the Commanders could target after the 1st round

Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

The other Ohio State running back, Judkins will hear his name called early on Day 2. While not quite as fast as Henderson, Judkins isn’t slow, running a 4.48 40-yard dash. His overall testing numbers at the NFL combine were excellent across the board. He’s big, strong, can break tackles and keep the chains moving. Judkins is a future NFL lead back.

Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Johnson doesn’t appear to fit what everyone thinks the Commanders want and need. A talented back, Johnson can certainly play every down, but he’s not a big-play back. He has great size (6-foot-1, 224 pounds), but doesn’t always run as big as his size suggests. The Commanders did host Johnson on a pre-draft visit. You don’t do that without interest. Johnson was productive for multiple years in the Big Ten. He can play.

Riggo’s Rag

Notorious Commanders critic outlines perfect NFL Draft scenario for Adam Peters

NFL.com’s Adam Rank has Washington taking a coveted pass-rushing prize late in the first round.

Adam Rank of NFL.com may not be the most popular league analyst among Washington Commanders fans. His history of consistently picking against the rising squad last season was renowned, which lasted throughout last season’s memorable 12-5 campaign and run to the NFC Championship game.

That said, in Rank’s latest mock draft, he has tossed the Commanders a bone by allowing one of the league’s top pass-rushing prospects to fall to No. 29 overall. The pick is Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr.

“The offense is looking really good, Commanders, now that you’ve bolstered the line with Laremy Tunsil and brought in Deebo Samuel to go opposite Terry McLaurin. I wouldn’t rule out taking a running back or another offensive stud here. However, you need to play some defense. Pearce could help boost the pass rush after the loss of 2024 sack leader Dante Fowler and two-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen.”

Adam Rank

Pearce is quite arguably the best edge rusher in his class not named Abdul Carter, who will almost certainly be a top-three pick.

He’s only 21 years old after bypassing his final season of college eligibility to declare for the draft. The explosive edge force will become a long-term investment for any team that selects him, with an upside that may not be reached right away in the NFL.

That might not make him the greatest fit for the win-now Commanders. At the same time, this is a team that could use some youth to develop.

Podcasts & videos

Commanders’ IOL BIG BOARD: Grey Zabel, Tate Ratledge, Donovan Jackson Among Best Fits in Draft

NFC East links

Bleeding Green Nation

Ranking 19 offensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft

Tier 3

8. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, 6-3 5/8 315

Overall: Donovan Jackson is a well-built lineman with over 50 games of experience and the football IQ to start in the NFL. While not a dominant mauler, his anchor and steady hands in pass pro make him a reliable guard with possible tackle flexibility.

9. Tate Ratledge, Georgia, 6-6 1/2 308

Overall: Ratledge is a physical interior right guard with NFL-level play strength, quick eyes, and a physical play style that shows up especially well against power. Though he lacks ideal length and has mostly played only right guard, he makes up for it with the quickness and athleticism to reset and recover within the rep. If he stays healthy, Ratledge projects as a dependable starting right guard.

10. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, 6-6 1/4 331

Overall: Aireontae Ersery is a massive, athletic tackle with a powerful punch, natural size, and good movement skills. If he can clean up his hand usage, strike timing, and redirect ability, he has all the tools to develop into a long-term NFL starter — but he’ll need time and coaching.

11. Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona, 6-4 1/8 324

Overall: Savaiinaea is a well-built, competitive lineman with starter-caliber tools out of the gate. While he has held up at guard and tackle in college, his physical profile and skill set project best to guard, where he can stay square and rely less on lateral quickness. He may not be an immediate run game mauler, which limits his upside, but he has enough size and ability to start early.

Big Blue View

Survey results: Just 5% of fans think Shedeur Sanders will be a Giant

Without knowing the odds, we asked the Big Blue View community which position they believe the Giants will select first.

The answer is overwhelmingly “edge”.


That corresponds with the deluge of recent mock drafts connecting Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter to the Giants. Vegas agrees and has Carter as the heavy favorite (-600) to be drafted third overall.

Cornerback — in other words, Travis Hunter — came in a distant second. However, it seems unlikely that Hunter will be available at third overall after Browns GM Andrew Berry publicly compared him to LA Dodgers star two-way player Shohei Ohtani.

Here at Big Blue View, we tend to think that even if the Giants don’t draft a quarterback with their first pick, they’ll still be drafting one highly.

Interestingly, fans heavily believe that it will be Jalen Milroe.


NFL league links

Articles

NFL.com

2025 NFL Draft: All-Pros, Pro Bowlers and overachievers in this class


Front Office Sports

Shannon Sharpe Eyes $100M+ Podcast Deal As Volume Contract Expires

The Pro Football Hall of Famer has become one of the world’s most successful podcasters while also appearing on ESPN shows like “First Take.”

Shannon Sharpe’s media deal with Colin Cowherd’s The Volume podcast network is up. Sources tell Front Office Sports the Pro Football Hall of Famer has received multiple offers and is expected to sign a deal that would exceed $100 million.

Sharpe partnered with The Volume in August 2023, several months after leaving FS1’s Undisputed, where he broke out opposite Skip Bayless. Club Shay Shay immediately took off to become one of the biggest podcasts in sports and entertainment, particularly on YouTube, where it’s a juggernaut.

Discussion topics

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