3 mistakes Commanders can’t afford to make in 2022 NFL Draft
By Jerry Trotta
2. Taking a QB Early/Reaching on a Linebacker
We decided to lump these two together as a 2A and 2B. For starters, taking a quarterback early better not be in the Commanders’ draft plans. We touched on this in a recent article, but it bears repeating given how big of a mistake it would represent.
It’s pretty simple. You just traded for Carson Wentz, whom Ron Rivera has defended to the hills at every turn. Yes, his contract has an easy out after 2022, but Washington didn’t give up a 2022 third-round pick and what will likely be a 2023 second-round pick if it viewed Wentz as a one-year rental or placeholder.
Regardless of the combination, the Commanders’ first two picks should return a receiver, cornerback, safety or linebacker. That brings us to our next point: the front office cannot, under any circumstance, reach for a linebacker.
That includes the first round, as Utah’s Devin Lloyd will almost surely be available given mocks have him going in the teens. We saw what happened last year when the club reached on Jamin Davis at pick No. 19. They can’t make the same mistake.
That logic can be applied to Round 2, as well. It all depends on Washington’s big board, obviously, but if some of the top prospects (Chad Muma, Christian Harris, Troy Anderson, etc.) are off the board, we would hate to see Washington reach on a Quay Walker, Brian Asamoah or Brandon Smith just to fill a hole.