The Washington Commanders aren’t playing around when it comes to building a winner around 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels.
After a tough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, the Commanders have committed their efforts on getting better on both sides of the ball. Through trade and free agency, the Commanders have already brought in some notable additions like wide receiver Deebo Samuel acquired in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers and left tackle Laremy Tunsil acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans.
Those two moves took care of a couple of the team’s top needs ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, which allows them to shift their attention to other areas which will help strengthen the team.
That focus should primarily be on defense where the Commanders look to get faster off the edge and in the secondary.
Washington Commanders 2024 NFL season
2024 NFL season record: 12-5 2n 2nd in the NFC East
Team offense: Rank 5th (361.2 yards per game)
Team defense: Rank 17th (341.1 yards per game)
Playoffs: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles in NFC Championship
2025 NFL Draft position: No. 29
Top positional needs: CB, EDGE, T
2025 NFL Draft outlook
The Commanders will use the 2025 NFL Draft to add depth at key positions. A couple of those positions will be edge rush and cornerback. Both positions are deep with prospects in this draft, so Washington could find a player in Day 1 and Day 2 who can come in and contribute to the team right away.
Potential cornerback targets Day 1 or Day 2:
Player | School |
|---|---|
Trey Amos | Ole Miss |
Maxwell Hairston | Kentucky |
Shavon Revel | East Carolina |
Darien Porter | Iowa State |
Azareye'h Thomas | Florida State |
Potential edge rush prospects Day 1 or Day 2:
Player | School |
|---|---|
Nic Scourton | Texas A&M |
Landon Jackson | Arkansas |
Princely Umanmielen | Ole Miss |
Bradyn Swinson | LSU |
Jack Sawyer | Ohio State |
Here is a look at what General Manager Adam Peters and the Commanders will do in this three-round NFL Mock Draft.
2025 NFL Mock Draft (three-round)
The Commanders signed former Chicago Bears pass rusher Jacob Martin in free agency to help bolster the pass rush. They also brought in former New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise who can get after the passer. But neither player will give the Commanders that big-time player off the edge. Perhaps James Pearce Jr. is that guy. The Tennessee product was projected as a potential top 5 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft entering the year but didn’t have the impact season expected. Still, the talent is there and if he slides to No. 29, the Commanders can’t pass on him.
With no third-round pick in this draft, the Commanders take care of another area of need with the selection of Iowa State’s Darien Porter with the No. 61 overall pick. The Commanders brought in veterans like Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene in free agency but will still be looking for a young corner who can eventually fill one of their top corner roles. In Porter, they get a defender with length, speed and a player who has the instincts to recognize routes and the versatility to play multiple coverages.