A way-too-early Commanders 2023 Mock Draft

It’s too early to know what the Washington Commanders team’s needs will be a year from now, but there are some clues.  This way too early 2023 mock draft could offer some insights.

The 2023 NFL Draft is coming to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on April 27-29 next year.  Do you plan to attend?  Having the league’s draft party in the nation’s heartland sounds like fun.  The Great Plains.  One of the great BBQ capitals of the world.  Home of the National World War I Museum.  And yes, home to the Kansas City Chiefs.  It’s a football town and a nice change of pace for the annual NFL Draft.

The 2022 Draft is still fresh in our minds, but teams in the league have quickly moved on and have put their focus on the remainder of the 2022 offseason – with one exception.  NFL scouts have been attending many of the spring scrimmage games as teams in the NCAA begin their own preparations for the upcoming 2022 season.  The race to find the best 2023 prospects and hidden gems is already underway.  The draft season never ends, but it takes a back seat for fans until the following winter.

With all of that in mind, we won’t bore you with a long and highly detailed mock today.  This mock is just a quick snapshot of what the Washington Commanders could do next year at this time.  There are no trades in this mock, but we will include the two compensatory picks that Washington will have at their disposal in 2023 – a third round pick and a seventh round selection.  We will work under the assumption that the front office will be selecting in the middle-late portions of each round.  All aboard!  Let’s take this futuristic train to Kansas City and watch who the Commanders will select next spring.

Commanders 2023 Mock Draft

Round One

Joey Porter, Cornerback, Penn State

Washington used their first round pick this year on a Penn State receiver and they could go to the opposite side of the ball and take another Snow Kitten in the first round of the 2023 draft.  Porter could be one of the top defensive backs in the nation this year and cornerback is likely to be a priority in 2023.

Round Two

Arik Gilbert, Tight End, Georgia

Tight end may not seem like a position of need, but the long term health of Logan Thomas is still a concern.  New draftee Cole Turner is likely to be TE2 and TE3 John Bates is a solid blocking option.  Arik Gilbert of the Red Clay Hounds will be an immediate TE1 and a major contributor on offense for a decade or more.

Round Three (Compensatory Pick)

O’Cyrus Torrence, Offensive Guard, Florida

O’Cyrus Torrence recently followed his head coach at Louisiana and transferred to the Florida Water Lizards.  He will now face quality competition in the SEC.  At 6-5, 335, Torrence is able to forklift defensive linemen and plow through linebackers routinely.

Round Four

Jacoby Windmon, Inside Linebacker, Michigan State

Ron Rivera said that linebacker is still a need after the 2022 draft.  Jacoby Windmon transferred to the Green Warrior Snowmen after three solid years at UNLV.  As a bona fide tackling machine, the former Rebel could be on Washington’s radar next spring.

Round Five

Justin Rogers, Defensive Tackle, Kentucky

It is likely that Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne will be finding a new address after the 2022 season.  2022 second rounder Phil Mathis was drafted after losing a pair of tackles during the offseason and another tackle is needed for next year.  Enter Justin Rogers of the Blue Felines – a solid defender and run stuffer.

Round Six

Merlin Robertson, Linebacker, Arizona State

Linebacker figures to be a significant focus in 2023 and depth will certainly be a need.  Merlin Robertson has produced solid numbers for the Evil UV Rays over the last three seasons.  He is a superb run defender and is productive in pass coverage.

https://twitter.com/TheSunDevils/status/1325162522291269632

Round Seven

Andrew Raym, Offensive Guard/Center, Oklahoma

Andrew Raym can play all three positions on the interior offensive line and he would supply Washington with needed depth.  Raym is underrated force for the Grand Prairie Rodents, but he could be a swift riser in the 2023 draft.

Today, it was a pleasure to pay tribute to the late Leonard Postero, the host of the popular Saturday morning radio program from the 1960s to the 1980s, “Leonard’s Losers”.  Every Saturday morning during the college football season, Leonard would use humor to predict the losers of key games for later that day.  His nicknames for many teams were legendary and we’re sure that you were able to see some of his humor today.

There is your first 2023 mock draft.  The mocks will obviously look far different by next winter.  The next mock draft will come during the bye week this fall.  For now, it is back to free agency and the rest of this offseason.  See you as we go along.