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Daily Slop – 27 Apr 25 – Another good draft to cap another good offseason for Adam Peters

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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

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NFL.com

2025 NFL Draft: Boxes checked, remaining offseason to-do list for all 32 teams

Washington Commanders

Boxes checked:

  • Continued to do everything to protect Jayden Daniels, drafting an OT in Round 1.
  • Addressed a need at CB with second-rounder Trey Amos.
  • Built around Daniels earlier in the offseason, acquiring a LT (Laremy Tunsil) and WR (Deebo Samuel).

Still to do:

  • Add pass rush.

The Commanders approached this offseason exactly as they should have after Daniels’ breakout rookie season: they acted like a team trying to win right now. Protecting Daniels (he was sacked 47 times) and giving him as many weapons as possible was the paramount concern, and those needs were addressed, in both the draft and in free agency. If the defense shows improvement — the team added veteran experience on the line — and Daniels is everything he looked to be in 2024, the Commanders should be NFC contenders again and for years to come.

Washington Post (paywall)

Commanders 2025 draft tracker: How every Washington pick fits

In his second draft, Washington Commanders General Manager Adam Peters followed a familiar pattern. He prioritized talent over positional need, and in later rounds, he targeted older team captains and elite athletes.

He resisted offers to trade back and stuck to his board, with a particular focus on speed.

He did not pick an edge rusher — widely considered the team’s biggest need — though he could still add a veteran free agent.

OT Josh Conerly

Peters praised Conerly’s youth — he doesn’t turn 22 until November — and athleticism. Conerly had excellent testing numbers at the scouting combine, especially in explosion metrics, such as the vertical jump and 10-yard split of the 40-yard dash.

Conerly, who grew up in Seattle, was a bruising running back as a kid. He switched to left tackle as a high school sophomore, grew into a five-star recruit, committed to Oregon and became a third-team all-American.

CB Trey Amos

Amos (6-1, 195) is a long, physical outside cornerback who fits the defense’s aggressive vision and could be a Day 1 starter.

“We would’ve taken him with our first-round pick,” Peters added. “He was in the mix for our first-round pick.”

Amos, 23, could start immediately opposite Marshon Lattimore, which would allow Mike Sainristil to slide back inside, or Amos could rotate with Jonathan Jones and/or others.

WR Jaylin Lane

Lane (5-10, 191) is a home run threat who gives the offense a critical boost in speed. He played mostly in the slot for the Hokies over the past two years and could be a weapon on screens, jet sweeps and other gadget plays.

His quickest path to making an impact might be on special teams. He averaged 21.8 yards per kick return and 10.9 yards per punt return with two touchdowns over five college seasons, per Sports Reference, including a 58-yard touchdown against Marshall last season.

LB Kain Medrano

Medrano (6-3, 222) is a classic late-round Peters bet. He’s very athletic — he ran the fastest 40-yard dash among linebackers at the combine — and was a team captain at UCLA. He has a long, lean frame and can play dime linebacker but probably will get on the field mainly on special teams to start.

RB Jacrory Croskey-Merritt

Croskey-Merritt (5-10, 206) is a shifty, one-cut runner with speed and explosiveness, and he could complement Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler in the backfield.

Croskey-Merritt, 24, played just one game last season at Arizona because of a complicated eligibility issue over a redshirt season.

Croskey-Merritt got back onto the radar for NFL teams at the Shrine Bowl. He ran a 4.45-second 40 and had elite numbers in explosion metrics, including the vertical jump and the broad jump.

ESPN

2025 NFL draft grades: Mel Kiper’s winners, losers, sleepers

Washington Commanders: B+

Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, cornerback and running back

I gave this team an A- for its 2024 draft haul, and here’s a snippet of what I wrote about its class: “If [Jayden] Daniels is a star, this could set the foundation for the Commanders returning to the playoffs — in a couple of years.”

Not bad! It took Daniels and Washington only one season to get to the playoffs, though, which ended in the NFC title game. The Commanders were ahead of schedule. Now? The clock is ticking. They have a limited window to put a star-laden team around Daniels before they have to give him a massive contract extension. They need to take advantage of him being on a rookie deal.

You could see that urgency this offseason in trades for wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those veterans will make the Commanders better immediately. And with only five total picks, they really had to get a rookie starter in Round 1.

Instead, they might have gotten rookie starters with both of their top picks. I liked the selection of Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 — he played left tackle at Oregon, but I see his immediate future at guard or right tackle. He has the traits to play on the left side, though Tunsil will have that spot locked down for a few years. I thought Washington might go with a corner there, but GM Adam Peters got Trey Amos with his lone Day 2 pick, nearly 20 spots lower than where he was in my rankings (No. 43). Amos will fill a big hole for this defense.

Jaylin Lane is an intriguing Day 3 wideout. At 5-foot-10, he looks like a running back — and he took some snaps from the backfield in college. If Kliff Kingsbury can figure out how to get the ball in his hands, he has some juice after the catch. He’s also the best punt returner in this class.

I liked what Peters did with his first three selections, but this is not quite an A because it’s a small class and because he didn’t address the hole at edge. Still, this is a team that should again challenge for the NFC East crown.

The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders 2025 NFL Draft takeaways: Threading the short- and long-term needle

Best value pick

Peters wouldn’t want to single out one of his draft pick children, but he said Washington considered taking Amos, a 6-foot-1 defender with 4.43 40-yard speed, in the first round. Therefore, to land The Athletic’s draft analyst Dane Brugler’s 39th overall prospect at No. 61 seems like a good deal.

The Ole Miss standout, and Louisiana and Alabama transfer, offers depth and size on the outside. The former was needed since starter Marshon Lattimore has battled injuries for three consecutive years, and the latter, considering Mike Sainristil and Jonathan Jones are both listed at 5-foot-10.

Most surprising pick

There isn’t a head-shaker among the top three selections, and the quality of player makes not trading down for additional picks palatable. That edge defenders Donovan Ezeiruaku and Nic Scourton were among the available options at No. 29 will be something to monitor, especially if Washington continues to struggle in run defense or faces issues with pass rush consistency. The Commanders also didn’t add an explosive playmaker in the backfield.

ESPN – John Keim

Washington Commanders 2025 NFL draft picks: Selection analysis

Round 6, No. 205: Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA

My take: Washington wanted more speed at linebacker and a little more versatility behind starters Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. The Commanders also have Jordan Magee and Domonique Hampton, both entering their second season. Medrano can run — his 4.46 time in the 40 at the combine was the fastest among linebackers — and could fill a hybrid big safety/linebacker role. Medrano played six years in college and did not become a full-time starter until the last two years. Washington needed a linebacker who can cover and that’s something it hopes Medrano offers after doing so at UCLA. That would fill a major hole for the Commanders.

Round 7, No. 245 overall: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona

My take: The Commanders were intent on adding another running back to pair with Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. All three are free agents after the season so they needed a young back who could factor in their future. Croskey-Merritt was ineligible for all but one game at Arizona last season due to confusion over a prior redshirt year. In his final year at New Mexico, he rushed for 1,191 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has good speed, having run a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, the fastest among running backs. He’ll be intriguing in camp. Did Washington find a gem who was a mystery because he was ineligible?

Commanders.com

Jaylin Lane gives WAS dynamic possibilities as punt returner

Lane’s biggest contributions, at least at the start of his NFL career, might be on special teams, and he’s excited about that opportunity.

“Just being back there, I feel like I can make any play, any catch and ultimately, take it to the crib,” Lane said. “That’s what you want to do as a returner.”

Lane delivered some impressive highlights as a punt returner at the college level, both at MTSU and Virginia Tech. He averaged nearly 11 yards per return during his college career and scored two touchdowns. He ripped off a 58-yarder against Marshall last season and sprinted past the entire coverage unit to do so.

Riggo’s Rag

Commanders quietly make 6 roster moves immediately after 2025 NFL Draft

Adam Peters work didn’t stop after the 2025 NFL Draft.

Tim McKay

  • Offensive Line | North Carolina State Wolfpack

The Commanders shelled out decent money for Tim McKay compared to most rookies who fail to hear their names called. Reports suggest he was a hot commodity on the undrafted free-agent market, so those in power must see something in the player that can be molded into more.

There are some athletic limitations where McKay is concerned. However, he’s a versatile chess piece with a well-put-together frame and a sound technical platform to build.

Tre Rucker

  • Safety | Oklahoma State Cowboys

Acquiring another safety or two was almost guaranteed after the Commanders failed to pick one up during the draft. Tre Rucker fits the athletic, physical mold of what Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. are trying to build.

The former Oklahoma State standout isn’t the biggest, but he’s a high-effort player and a relentless force against the run. There are deficiencies in coverage that must be alleviated, so becoming more disciplined and less aggressive could see improvements arrive quickly.

Sports Illustrated

New Commanders RB models game after back known for physical play

The Washington Commanders drafted running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round, and might have gotten a Mark Ingram-style ball-carrier in the process.

[I]n adding Croskey-Merritt to the roster [Washington] is…adding a ball-carrier who says he models his game after former NFL back Mark Ingram.

“Just being tough, being physical, making defenders not want to attack you. That’s the main thing that I took away from Mark Ingram, and I feel like that’s the only way to play the position is just being violent and running with anger,” Croskey-Merritt says. If you’re thinking that is music to the ears of the Commanders, you’d be right. Assistant general manager Lance Newmark shared in his post-draft press conference that any time you’re around the back, you can feel his energy.

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Bleeding Green Nation

Draft Recap – Grades on all Eagles Picks and all 32 Teams

Washington Commanders: B

I think Josh Connerly was a bit of a reach at 29, especially with Josh Simmons still on the board. Trey Amos was a tremendous value at 61, though, and Jaylin Lane is a fun slot WR who was nice value at 128.

  • · Best move: Amos at 61
  • · Worst move: Passing on Simmons for Connerly

Eagles Overall Grade: B

I think I’ve gotten spoiled by Howie’s last few drafts. There were plenty of years in the past where I would have killed for a draft this solid (I still have PTSD from the Watkins/Jarrett draft), but it feels like a bit of a let down after the last couple of years. They got some good players, including a real difference maker in Campbell and some nice value at the end of the draft but, IMO, they really whiffed on Day Two.

Dallas Cowboys: B

Donovan Ezeiruaku at 44 and, especially, Shavon Revel at 76 were two of the best picks in the draft, which pains me to say. I think the Eagles should have taken Revel at 64; he profiles as a high-end outside CB. But those picks were offset by their massive reach in picking Tyler Booker at 12. I like Ajani Cornelius at 204 but not Shemar James at 152.

  • · Best move: Revel at 76
  • · Worst move: Booker at 12

New York Giants: A-

This would be an A if the Giants didn’t overpay to trade up for Jaxon Dart. I’m not a huge fan of him and the Giants paid too much to move up from 34 to 25. The rest of their draft was really good. Abdul Carter is a stud. Darius Alexander (65), Cam Skattebo (105), and Marcus Mbow (154) were all really good value – especially Alexander and Mbow, both of who I’d have loved to see on the Eagles.

  • · Best move: Carter at 3 (followed by Mbow at 154)
  • · Worst move: overpaying for Dart
Barstool Sports

The Giants Reportedly Gave Up On Shedeur Sanders When He Was Unprepared For A Meeting, Daboll Called Him Out On It And It ‘Didn’t Go Well’ From There

[Source] – “Shedeur didn’t have a great interview with Brian Daboll in a private visit,” McShay said via The Daily News. “An install package came in. Preparation wasn’t there for it. [He] got called out on it. Didn’t like that. Brian didn’t appreciate him not liking it.”

We all know that Shedeur Sanders [wasn’t] drafted [until the 5th round]. It’s not some conspiracy theory or anything like that, but we’re now starting to find out some details, specifically why the Giants passed on him. There were reports leading up to the Draft that it was basically split within the building that some wanted Sanders, Daboll didn’t want him and wanted Dart. This is why.

Sanders came in unprepared, Daboll called him out on it and Sanders didn’t like that. It was over then and there. As a Giants fan? Good. I know people will destroy Daboll because of Daniel Jones (who was ass), but Daboll is a quarterback evaluator. That’s how he made a name for himself. So if he is going to be pissed that Sanders is unprepared, so be it.

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Over the Cap

Valuing the Trades of the 2025 NFL Draft

For each trade I am evaluating the trade using the Fitzgerald-Spielberger draft chart. The chart which Brad and I created is based on past results of NFL drafts. These values are not going to be indicative of typical trade markets in the NFL but they do provide you the expected returns on each trade when you wind up with the average outcome.

For each trade we calculate points for each draft pick. I am valuing a future pick this year as the middle pick in a round as that is the average outcome that would occur. While this often upsets people due to traditional valuations (discounting a future pick by a round which is just crazy- ask any team that traded away a future pick that landed top 10 in that round) the fact is a future 1 is still a future 1. In the past I have used the 32nd pick in a round and that is what our own calculator uses but after more thought I think to really get an idea for a trade its best to just use the average outcome. Anyway, the difference between these two sets of points is the implied cost of the trade. That cost can then be translated into a single draft pick.

The expected value added for a team is what that draft slot would project at if we translated the rookie performance into veteran contract value (i.e. a QB selected number 1 in the draft would expect to bring a team a value of $55M, essentially projecting as one of the top 5 players at the position). The value lost is what the picks the team traded away would be valued as. For the team trading up the value will be specific to the position they traded up for. For the team trading down it will be a blind trade since there is no guarantee on positional availability. The difference is how much was gained or lost by moving up rather than picking blind.

17. Panthers select EDGE Nic Scourton

Implied Cost: 11 points(UDFA)

Implied Salary Lost: ($2.98M/Year)

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