3 prospects Commanders confusingly passed on to draft Phidarian Mathis

2. Take Your Pick at Linebacker

Literally, take your pick. With Alabama’s Christian Harris, Wyoming’s Chad Muma, Montana State’s Troy Anderson, Oklahoma’s Brian Asamoah all on the board, Washington could’ve either traded back or taken one of these studs.

Regardless, we would have much rather seen the Commanders shore up their linebacker corps instead of drafting a likely backup DT. Even though Mathis projects as a future starter at defensive tackle, linebacker is currently a bigger need.

As of this writing, Cole Holcomb, Jamin Davis, David Mayo and Khaleke Hudson are the only linebackers on the roster. Given most of Mayo and Hudson’s contributions come on special teams, it’s really Holcomb and Davis on an island.

There’s still time for Washington to address the position, but the run on linebackers came and went in the mid-second and early-third rounds. Entering Day 3, the best remaining options include Wisconsin’s Leo Chenal, Georgia’s Channing Tindall, Penn State’s Brandon Smith and Cincinnati’s Darrian Beavers.

Hindsight is 20/20, but the Commanders would’ve been better off taking their guy at No. 47 overall or traded back and acquired more picks.

There was no reason to take Mathis as early as they did, especially given how many LBs were still on the board. Additionally, Travis Jones didn’t go until No. 76 overall to the Ravens and the likes of Perrion Winfrey, Matthew Butler, John Ridgeway, Otito Ogbonnia, and Neil Farrel Jr. are ALL still on the board.