Washington Commanders Post-Free Agency Mock Draft

The Washington Commanders have six overall draft selections after a shocking trade in recent days, but the front office could be creative and add more picks in a few weeks.

Welcome to our third mock draft for this offseason.  Our first mock didn’t anticipate a trade before free agency opened and that alters the entire mocking process.  The Commanders still own the eleventh pick in the first round, but a trade for quarterback Carson Wentz reduced the number of day one and day two 2022 draft picks by one.  However, the number of draft selections remains at six.  Washington traded away the third rounder, flipped draft positions in the second round, and added a seventh rounder.  Wentz is the new quarterback in town after trading with the Indianapolis Colts.

Our most recent mock has been rendered moot following the trade, but it still contained some good nuggets to consider.  With the sudden changes, it is time to reset the mocking process and take a new approach at this juncture. Frustrating?  Not really – that is the essence of a volatile offseason.  The unpredictable moments actually add to the overall excitement and while we can debate the merits of the trade, it is also an opportunity to embrace the changes and quickly plot a new course for the remainder of this offseason.  As we mentioned last fall and earlier last month, mocks during the regular season and mid-winter look far different than mocks in March and April.

Welcome to the new reality and welcome to the latest mock draft from yours truly.  The mock today will feature two trades and take into account what has transpired in recent days.  Even after the trade for Wentz, could we see another quarterback being drafted at some point next month?  Is the future middle linebacker awaiting his name to be called by the Commanders?  Is it time to add a stud receiver that can play opposite Terry McLaurin?  Can the front office recoup the third and fifth rounders that were given away over the last two offseasons with trades?  Let’s take a look.

Round One

***Trade***

The Commanders trade down to the 20th slot as Pittsburgh is said to be highly motivated with adding a quarterback in the draft.  Washington receives Pittsburgh’s second and third round selections and a fourth round pick in 2023.

The Selection

Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama – 6-2, 190

It is time for Washington to finally draft a wide receiver that will start immediately.  Williams is recovering from a torn ACL, but he should be ready for training camp and the 2022 season opener.  Williams has elite speed and is a viable threat to score on any given pass reception.  He stretches the field on most plays and his presence should open up an offense much as we saw from 2015 to 2017.

New quarterback Carson Wentz has never enjoyed such a wide array of weapons in his career.  Having Williams on the roster would afford Wentz the opportunity to put up his best numbers since entering the league in 2016.

Williams is able to find the gaps and weak areas in a zone coverage scheme.  He can burn corners and safeties in man coverage.  He is at his best on go routes, but can fool defenders on skinny post routes as well.  His only weakness is downfield blocking on rushing plays, but the yards he can gain after a catch are massive.

Other Possible Selections

• Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
• Chris Olave, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
• Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah
• Drake London, Wide Receiver, Southern California
• Daxton Hill, Free Safety, Michigan

The need for a first round quarterback no longer exists and it is a given that the Washington Commanders will not select a signal caller on day two of the draft as well.  Look for the front office to roll with Wentz as the starter, Taylor Heinike as the backup, and a rookie undrafted free agent to be added after the draft.

Restricted free agent quarterback Kyle Allen was not tendered for 2022 and he was able to seek employment from the Texans on the opening day of free agency.  This move comes as something of a surprise after the Commanders traded a 2020 fifth round pick for his services.  Obviously, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is not returning and he may opt to retire.  Temporary emergency quarterback Garrett Gilbert will not return as well.