3 biggest takeaways from Commanders’ top-30 prospect visits

The 2022 NFL Draft is still three weeks away, but with top prospects participating in pro days, top 30 visits being revealed, and draft prognosticators publishing mock drafts left and right, draft night will be here before you know it.

Expected to be one of the deepest classes in recent memory, the Washington Commanders currently own two picks within the top 50 so they’ll be perfectly positioned to add immediate contributors in the first and second rounds.

Like most teams, the Commanders are showing interest in a multitude of prospects. It’s anyone’s guess as to whom they’ll draft, but their reported list of top 30 visits is giving fans a good idea of the profile of player they’re looking for.

The list of prospect visits is ever-growing, but taking the current names into account let’s highlight some key takeaways, shall we?

3 takeaways from the Commanders’ top-30 visits

3. Expect Washington to add OL depth

The Commanders’ offensive line rotation is locked and loaded.

Barring injuries, which plagued the unit beyond belief last season, the lineup will look as such: Charles Leno at left tackle, Andrew Norwell at left guard, Chase Roullier at center, Wes Schweitzer at right guard and Sam Cosmi at right tackle.

That’s a solid starting five and Cornelius Lucas and Saahdiq Charles offer plenty of upside as backup swing tackles and guards, respectively. However, Washington’s depth behind Lucas and Charles leave a lot to be desired, so it couldn’t hurt to revisit the draft and develop strategy in the later rounds.

Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise fans the Commanders are expected to host at least a trio of lineman for top 30 visits. That list includes UTSA’ Spencer Burford, Washington State’s Abe Lucas and Central Michigan’s Luke Goedeke.

The Commanders have had tremendous success drafting OL in the middle-to-late rounds over the years. Between Roullier, drafted in the fifth round back in 2017, Charles, taken in the fourth round two years ago in 2020, and Morgan Moses, nabbed in the third round in 2014, the proof is in the pudding.

You could even point to Spencer Long, take in the same round as Moses in 2014 who started 67 games over his six-year career, and Austin Reiter, the team’s seventh-round pick in 2015 who was a mainstay on the Chiefs’ offensive line in 2019 and 2020 when they won the Super Bowl, as additional examples.

Based on the franchise’s history and top 30 visits, it’d be shocking if Washington didn’t address the offensive line in the draft.

2. Commanders are doing due-diligence on safeties

Ron Rivera is a man of few words and can be difficult to read at times, but his affinity for position flexibility is no secret. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that it’s the head coach’s most valued trait amongst defensive players.

Luckily for the Commanders, the top safeties in the upcoming draft — Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton, Michigan’s Daxton Hill and Penn State’s Jaquon Brisker — all boast the requisite versatility to fill the “Buffalo” nickel role that is suddenly vacant following the release of Landon Collins.

Hamilton hasn’t been reported as one of Washington’s top 30 visits, but he’s obviously in consideration at pick No. 11. When it comes to Hill and Brisker, though, they could come off the board at any point towards the end of the first round to the middle of the second, putting them in play at No. 47 overall.

In 2021, Hill’s versatility was on full display in Ann Arbor, as he played 541 snaps in the slot, 112 in the box, 63 as a free safety and 16 at corner.

At the Combine, the former Wolverine boosted his stock with a 4.38 40, which ranked 14th among all players. Additionally, Hill’s 4.06 20-yard shuttle and 6.56-second three-cone drill were tops at the safety position.

Brisker’s profile is just as impressive. The Penn State star is an excellent athlete who changes direction with ease. In coverage, Brisker covers a ridiculous amount of ground and has fantastic closing speed on deep balls and he defends the run with a physicality and explosiveness Washington seeks from the Buffalo nickel.

Keep an eye on the safety position for the Commanders.

1. RB is a real possibility in middle rounds

It was reported earlier in the offseason that the Commanders wanted to add a running back even if they managed to bring back JD McKissic. Well, here we are a month into free agency and just weeks before the draft and they re-signed McKissic and have yet to add a between-the-tackles backup behind Antonio Gibson.

While there are capable free agents still out there, with Sony Michel, Carlos Hyde, Latavius Murray and Devontae Booker chief among them, the tea leaves indicate Washington is interested drafting a RB somewhere in the middle rounds.

According to reports, both Iowa State’s Breece Hall and Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker are scheduled to visit the Commanders.

Hall is widely perceived as the top RB this year. Between handling a three-down role for the Cyclones, running a 4.39 40-yard dash, having excellent vision and boasting tremendous contact balance, Hall has all the makings of a future stud at the position and would be a home run pick for Washington.

All Hall did over his final two seasons was lead the FBS in touches (591), scrimmage yards (3,526) and scrimmage touchdowns (46). Based on his relative athletic score, he figures to make a seamless transition to the NFL game.

Most of the same can be said for Walker, who capped a fantastic college career by finishing second in the FBS with 1,703 rushing yards and winning the Big Ten Running Back of the Year, Walter Camp and Doak Walker awards. He also forced 89 missed tackles and averaged nearly 4.5 yards after contact per carry.

The only knock on Walker — in comparison to Hall — is that Michigan State didn’t utilize him as a receiver. Catching the ball out of the backfield is a necessity for modern-day RBs, and the jury is still out as to whether Walker can fill that role.

We suppose that’s why McKissic is still here, though. Nevertheless, the Commanders seem motivated to add a quality backup behind Gibson. Whether it’s Hall or Walker remains to be seen, but the interest at the position is clear.