The Washington Commanders have seventh round magic in NFL Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and teams are making the final few adjustments to their draft boards, including the Washington Commanders.

Each year when late April rolls around, NFL fans know that it is time for their favorite teams to make choices that could affect a franchise for a decade or more.  If a team can produce a series of draft hauls that pan out over the years, a period of success is sure to follow.  The “vice is the versa” if a team experiences a continuous succession of poor drafts.  The Washington Commanders have constructed rosters through the draft in recent years with mixed results, but an unusual phenomenon has occurred as well.

For several years, the front office seemed to have a truly magical run in the third round of several drafts and the impact it had on the Burgundy and Gold was a huge positive.  Today, our focus shifts to the seventh round and the incredible success that the Washington Commanders have experienced late in the draft in recent years.  It is eerily similar to what we saw in the third round for a few years.  Can that seventh round magic continue in 2022?  Don’t think it can’t happen again.

The team owns two picks in the seventh round this year and we could see a pair of solid players being added to the roster very soon.  Let’s take a look at recent seasons and focus on what may happen in less than two weeks.

The seventh round – 2017 to 2021

2017

In 2017, the Commanders selected linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons of Louisville and cornerback Josh Holsey of Auburn.  Holsey played sparingly, but he did last two seasons in Washington and is now out of football altogether.  Harvey-Clemons managed to forge a longer tenure in Washington and was able to contribute to the team until he was released in the late spring of 2021 – not bad for a seventh rounder.  He is now playing for Montreal in the CFL.

2018

The 2018 seventh round produced Virginia Tech cornerback Greg Stroman and fan favorite Trey Quinn – a receiver and special teams contributor.  Stroman spent three years with the team as a depth corner and a punt returner.  He was released last summer.  As the last player taken in the 2018 draft, Quinn was “Mr. Irrelevant”, but he made the team and spent two seasons in a Washington uniform.  He was on Jacksonville’s roster for the 2020 season, but concussions have taken a toll and Quinn is still a free agent at this time.

2019

James Madison cornerback Jimmy Moreland and edge rusher Jordan Brailford were chosen by the Washington Commanders in the seventh round of the 2019 draft.  Moreland quickly became a valuable contributor on defense and special teams.  The “People’s Corner” was adored by the fans, but he was a surprise cut late last summer.  Moreland was claimed by the Texans and he is still on their roster.  Brailford has bounced around the league and he is currently with the Falcons, but his impacts have been minimal.

2020

Arkansas safety Kamren Curl and NC State defensive lineman James Smith-Williams were added in the seventh round of the 2020 draft.  Curl is on his way to superstardom for Washington.  He is the strong safety that the front office dreamed about for many years.  Smith-Williams is a valued reserve on the defensive line for the Commanders and has provided the team with excellent depth after injuries to starters Chase Young and Montez Sweat.  Look for these players to earn a second contract with Washington

2021

Outside linebacker William Bradley-King, defensive lineman Shaka Toney, and receiver Dax Milne were added last year and the early returns are fairly positive.  Bradley-King will need to increase his level of playing time in 2022, but it’s too early to know if he has staying power.  Toney has real potential and could be in line for a bigger role this season.  Milne impressed fans in his first season.  With more talent expected on the roster at receiver soon, the former BYU star will need to take the next steps to success.

2022

The Washington Commanders own two draft picks this year and fans are hoping that recent success in the seventh round can continue.  Could the team look to add a defensive tackle after losing one in free agency and releasing another one?  Will the organization look for a kick returner in the seventh round?  Is a developmental quarterback on the team’s draft board in the seventh round?  The draft is just around the corner and Washington is hoping for more magic in each round.