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Players Available on Day 3 of the Draft to Address the Commanders Remaining Needs

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2025 CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T- Ohio State v Notre Dame
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Who might Adam Peters target with the Commanders’ three remaining picks?

By now, most fans have clued into the fact that Washington’s GM, Adam Peters, drafts players and not positions. The changes to draft strategy under Peters’ brings Washington in line with the approaches of the best drafting teams, like the Ravens, Lions, Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs, and Texans.

But it can also be a source of frustration to fans who are desperate to see the team address a need for the upcoming season when the Commanders pick a more highly-rated player at another position.

Entering the draft, the perception among fans was that the team’s biggest un-addressed need for the 2025 season was edge rusher. I actually feel that that perception was somewhat misplaced. If we look at where the team was most deficient relative to the rest of the league last season, the answer was clearly run defense. That deficiency, had a lot to do with a shortage of quality run stuffers on the defensive line and came back to bite the Commanders when Saquon Barkley’s Eagles extinguished their championship hopes.

Of course, edge defenders do play a major role in run defense, and the Commanders lost their most productive sack producer when Dante Fowler left in free agency. So edge defense is clearly an area where the Commanders need to get better. But it is just one of a whole host of needs, which were never going to all be met with two picks in the top 100.

The good news for Commanders fans is that Adam Peters’ draft team in San Francisco had an exceptional record of unearthing early starters and impact players on Day 3 of the draft, and there are several players remaining who might still address the unmet needs at edge, run defense, running back, receiver depth and place kicking.

For those fans who are feeling anxious about remaining needs going unmet, here is a selective look at some of the hidden gems just waiting to be unearthed when Adam Peters returns to the war room for Day 3 of the 2025 draft. There are plenty of other players whom the Commanders might draft, but I have limited the list to players with potential to address a few of the team’s biggest needs.

Players are listed in order of their ranking on the DraftBot’s big board. The DraftBot’s board only contains 181 players, which falls a little short of the 257 players who will be drafted. To help readers understand how the rankings relate to the Commanders’ picks, I included round projections. I also included consensus board rankings, sourced from The Athletic’s Consensus Draft Board, for players ranked up to 100, and from the Mock Draft Database for players ranked after that. The DraftBot’s rankings can differ significantly from consensus, because it’s board is constructed specifically for the Commanders, and reflects scheme and staff preferences, as well as being stacked against the Commanders’ existing roster.

Ole Miss v Florida
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Run Stuffing Defensive Linemen

While the Commanders’ pass defense ranked 3rd best in yardage allowed and 10th in net yards/attempt, the run defense lagged near the bottom of the league, allowing the 3rd most rushing yards and the 5th highest opponent rushing average. A major reason for that is that the Commanders’ DTs are better pass rushers than run defenders, including FA addition Javon Kinlaw. The best run stopper of the bunch, Daron Payne, only ranked 46th among DTs in Run Stop Rate. None of the other DTs even ranked in the top 64.

It would be very hopeful to think that Peters could find us a three-down starting DT in the fourth round of the draft. But the good news is, it might be possible to address this need for the 2025 season by drafting a run-stuffing DT for rotational use on passing downs, who doesn’t offer much against the pass. A few promising candidates who meet that description are still available:

  1. Joshua Farmer, Florida State – DraftBot rank 85 (rd 3/4), Consensus rank 78
  2. J.J. Pegues, Ole Miss – DraftBot rank 104 (rd 4), Consensus rank 156
  3. C.J. West, Indiana – DraftBot rank 106 (rd 4), Consensus rank 105
  4. Ty Robinson, Nebraska – DraftBot rank 128 (rd 5), Consensus rank UR (MD Database 93)
  5. Cam’Ron Jackson, Florida – DraftBot rank 131 (rd 5), Consensus rank 177
  6. Jordan Phillips, Maryland – DraftBot rank 143 (rd 6), Consensus rank 127
  7. Ty Hamilton, Ohio State – DraftBot rank 144 (rd 6), Consensus rank 144
  8. Cam Horsley, Boston College – DraftBot rank 154 (rd 6/7), Consensus rank 244
  9. Tim Smith, Alabama – DraftBot rank 169 (rd 7), Consensus rank 251
  10. Thor Griffith, Louisville – DraftBot rank 175 (rd 7/FA), Consensus rank 327
  11. Yahya Black, Iowa – DraftBot rank 178 (rd 7/FA), Consensus rank 209
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 09 Miami at Georgia Tech
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Edge Defenders

The big need that went unaddressed in the first two days of the draft was Edge. Historically, the chances of drafting a first year starter at the position after the third round is low, but some team does nearly every year. There are a few possible hidden gems to choose from on the board heading into Day 3. Jack Sawyer is the big slider of the group, possibly due to lack of explosiveness and inconsistent play. The Commanders have shown special interest in Tyler Baron and David Walker. The DraftBot only likes edge defenders who are good against the run and pass, so a few names are missing.

  1. Jack Sawyer – DraftBot rank 55 (rd 2), Consensus rank 67
  2. Bradyn Swinson, LSU – DraftBot rank 73 (rd 3), Consensus rank 75
  3. Elijah Roberts, SMU – DraftBot rank 103 (rd 4), Consensus rank 154
  4. Tyler Baron, Miami – DraftBot rank 113 (rd 4), Consensus rank 179
  5. David Walker, Central Arkansas – DraftBot rank 118 (rd 5), Consensus rank 135
  6. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia – DraftBot rank 158 (rd 7), Consensus rank 172
  7. Fadil Diggs, Syracuse – DraftBot rank 180 (rd 7/FA), Conensus rank 185
Tennessee v Georgia
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Running Backs

Washington’s rushing attack outside the QB position was inconsistent last season and faded down the stretch. Kliff Kingsbury needs a dynamic playmaker on the ground to stretch defenses and take some of the load off Jayden Daniels. Lucky for the Commanders, this is the draft to find a starting RB on Day 3. There are also a few good change of pace options to provide succession plans for Austin Ekeler. Kliff Kingsbury likes fast RBs who are useful as receivers and in pass protection, so a few names were omitted and DraftBot’s ranking diverge from the generic consensus a fair bit.

  1. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State – DraftBot rank 65 (rd 3), Consensus rank 81
  2. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee – Draftbot rank 77 (rd 3), Consensus rank 60
  3. Bhayshul Tuten, VA Tech – DraftBot rank 88 (rd 4), Consensus rank 120
  4. Devin Neal, Kansas – DraftBot rank 109 (rd 4), Consensus rank 126
  5. D.J. Giddens, Kansas State – DraftBot rank 110 (rd 4), Consensus rank 106
  6. Brashard Smith, SMU – DraftBot rank 112 (rd 4), Consensus rank 145
  7. Damien Martinez, Miami – DraftBot rank 116 (rd 5), Consensus rank 101
  8. Trevor Etienne, Georgia – DraftBot rank 124 (rd 5), Consensus rank 140
  9. LeQuint Allen Jr, Syracuse – DraftBot rank 137 (rd 6), Consensus rank 191
  10. Jarquez Hunter, Auburn – DraftBot rank 138 (rd 6), Consensus rank 176
  11. Jordan James, Oregon – DraftBot rank 141 (rd 6), Consensus rank 124
  12. JoQuavious “Woody” Marks, USC – DraftBot rank 145 (rd 6), Consensus rank 202
  13. Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech – DraftBot rank 150 (rd 6/7), Consensus rank 216
  14. Raheim Sanders, South Carolina – DraftBot rank 158 (rd 7), Consensus rank 217
  15. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona – DraftBot rank 164 (rd 7), Consensus rank 273
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 05 Colorado State at San Jose State
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Wide Receivers

Despite the addition of Deebo Samuel as a one-year rental, the Commanders still need a more dynamic WR2 to stretch defenses. They also need to get younger and deeper at the position. A big play threat on punt and kick returns would also be a big boost. Fortunately for them, WR is the deepest position on Day 3. There are some great options for the Commanders remaining today, headlined by the DraftBot’s highest rated remaining player.

  1. *BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE* Jalen Royals, Utah State – DraftBot Rank 46 (rd 2), Consensus rank 61
  2. Isaiah Bond, Texas – DraftBot rank 59 (rd 2/3), Consensus rank 83
  3. Tory Horton WR/PR, Colorado State – DraftBot rank 82 (rd 3/4), Consensus rank 103
  4. Tez Johnson WR/PR, Oregon – DraftBot rank 83 (rd 3/4), Consensus rank 128
  5. Xavier Restrepo, Miami – DraftBot rank 86 (rd 4), Consensus rank 137
  6. Dont’e Thornton, Tennessee – DraftBot rank 96 (rd 4), Consensus rank 171
  7. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford – DraftBot rank 101 (rd 4), Consensus rank 79
  8. Jaylin Lane WR/PR/KR, VA Tech– DraftBot rank 135 (rd 6), Consensus rank 169
  9. Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas – DraftBot rank 141 (rd 6), Consensus rank 226
  10. Elijhah Badger WR/KR, Florida – DraftBot rank 145 (rd 6), Consensus rank 234
  11. Kobe Hudson, UCF – DraftBot rank 148 (rd 6), Consensus rank 235
  12. Nick Nash, San Jose St – DraftBot rank 153 (rd 6/7), Consensus rank 204
  13. Kaden Prather, Maryland – DraftBot rank 155 (rd 7), Consensus rank 267
  14. Ricky White II, UNLV – DraftBot rank 157 (rd 7), Consensus rank 240
  15. Da’Quan Felton, VA Tech – DraftBot rank 160 (rd 7), Consensus rank 301
  16. Antwane Wells, Ole Miss – DraftBot rank 161 (rd 7), Consensus rank 302
  17. Chimere Dike WR/PR/KR, Florida – DraftBot rank 162 (rd 7), Consensus rank 224
  18. Sam Brown, Miami – DraftBot rank 166 (rd 7), Consensus rank 288
  19. LaJohntay Wester WR/PR, Colorado – DraftBot rank 167 (rd 7), Consensus rank 289
  20. Jamaal Pritchett WR/PR, South Alabama – DraftBot rank 171 (rd 7/FA), Consensus rank 349
  21. Bru McCoy, Tennessee – DraftBot rank 176 (rd 7/FA), Consensus rank 278
  22. Will Sheppard, Colorado – DraftBot rank 179 (rd 7/FA), Consensus rank 285
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 23 Wake Forest at Miami
Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Kickers

The Commanders managed to do very well in the kicking game despite cycling through five different kickers in the course of the 2024 season. The final man standing, Zane Gonzalez, did better than anyone could have expected for a late season signing. But the Commanders need to find a more reliable long-term solution, and preferably one who doesn’t bring fans to the verge of a coronary at least once every game. There are at least three draftable kickers, and a long list of others who might be worth a tryout after the draft.

And speaking of avoiding coronaries, try not to be suprised if Adam Peters drafts a kicker in the fourth round, if there is one that he really likes. In the last draft of his tenure in San Francisco, the 49ers selected Jake Moody in the third round. Hopefully Peters learned from the experience.

  1. Andres Borregales, Miami – DraftBot rank 125 (rd 5), Consensus rank 275
  2. Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State – DraftBot rank 139 (rd 6), Consensus rank 260
  3. Ben Sauls, Pittsburgh -DraftBot rank 170 (rd 7/FA), Consensus rank 411