NFL draft analyst’s ‘ideal top two picks’ for Commanders are perfect

Washington Commanders fans are currently driving themselves up a wall trying to determine what the team should do with its first two picks.

Should they play it safe and take their favorite receiver at pick No. 11 and draft the best player available in the second round, whether it be a safety or linebacker? Or should they take do-it-all safety Kyle Hamilton with their first pick?

If the Notre Dame star slips that far, he’d be tough — nearly impossible — to pass on, but that means Washington would have to bank on a quality receiver being available at pick No. 47. Would finding a like-for-like Landon Collins replacement and future defensive cornerstone be worth passing on a wideout?

If you follow the draft, chances are you’ve mulled these same predicaments over the last several weeks. It’s an agonizing process, largely because so much is unknown and almost everything is based off projections and scouting reports.

In other words, teams have to trust their evaluations.

Let’s say for the sake of argument that everything fell according to plan for the Commanders. Who would be their ‘ideal’ first two picks? In a recent article, draft analyst Chad Reuter laid out his exact scenario for every NFL team.

Fans will love Reuter’s picks for Washington.

NFL draft analyst Chad Reuter’s ideal top two draft picks for the Commanders are perfect.

In Round 1, Reuter pegged Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson, a potential top-10 pick and many analysts’ top WR prospect in this loaded class, as the ideal selection. In Round 2, the NFL Media analyst, Georgia safety Lewis Cine, who’s getting a TON of love throughout the pre-draft process, gets the nod for Washington.

"“The trade for Carson Wentz requires Washington to find additional targets on whom he can rely,” Reuter wrote. “If Drake London is gone and Jameson Williams’ injury is an issue, then Wilson could be brought in to pair with two other former Buckeyes, Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel. Cine’s hard-hitting style and coverage ability make him a nice fit for the Commanders at free safety or nickel, depending upon where the team wants to play emerging star Kamren Curl.”"

Given the lack of buzz surrounding this year’s incoming QBs, Wilson could be the favorite for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award depending on where he ends up. The former Buckeye can run every route in the book, is a nightmare to bring down in the open field, and can line up either on the boundary or in the slot.

Chris Olave is the Ohio State receiver most heavily linked to the Commanders, but Wilson is the better overall prospect.

Cine, on the other hand, would be a great get at pick No. 47. The only problem with Reuter’s article, however, is that the former Georgia safety is widely viewed as someone who could get drafted much higher than expected.

It’s easy to see why that’s the case. At 6-foot-2 and 199 pounds with 4.3 speed, Cine fits the mold of what teams are now looking for in safeties. A semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which recognizes the country’s top defensive back, Cine led the eventual champion Bulldogs in tackles and passes defended.

Just take a look at his RAS score.

Clearly a freakish athlete, Cine might not have a high upside as a slot defender, but in terms of deep-lying safeties who pack a punch against the run when lined up in the box, anticipate breaks and close ground in a hurry, the former Bulldog could end up as one of the best defensive backs from the 2022 class.

Better still? Cine has the desired versatility Ron Rivera looks for in defenders and only missed 11 tackles over 159 attempts at Georgia.

At the end of the day, fans would be over the moon if the Commanders end the second round with Wilson and Cine as their first two picks. From there, they could zero in on a cornerback and focus on adding depth to the offensive line.

We don’t always agree with what draft analysts have to say about Washington’s drafting strategy, but Reuter hit the nail on the head here.