3 Commanders who got extremely lucky with 2022 draft results

The Washington Commanders went to great lengths to keep fans off the scent of their drafting strategy. While a receiver was long viewed as the most likely first-round pick, the Jahan Dotson came as a shock to almost everyone.

Additionally, Washington seemed like a lock to draft a linebacker to give projected starters Cole Holcomb and Jamin Davis needed support. When the dust settled, they threw fans more curveballs with Alabama’s very own Phidarian Mathis and Brian Robinson Jr. in the second and third rounds, respectively.

Of course, the Dotson pick puts serious pressure on Curtis Samuel to perform after his injury-plagued 2021. Likewise, the Robinson pick has Antonio Gibson looking over his shoulder after he led all running backs in fumbles last year.

But what about the other side of the argument? Which Commanders players benefitted the most from last month’s draft? In other words, whose stock got boosted or now has a secure spot on the roster or in the starting lineup?

3 Commanders who got lucky with the 2022 draft results

3. Montez Sweat

The Commanders were always going to exercise Montez Sweat’s fifth-year option. The fact they didn’t draft an edge rusher early, though, puts the former first-round pick out of Mississippi State in line for an extension next offseason.

Of course, Sweat will have to prove he’s worthy of such a pay raise. In his first two seasons, he produced 16 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits, eight passes defended and four forced fumbles. That included an interception returned for a touchdown in 2020 and appearing in all 32 regular season games.

In 2021, though, the narrative around Sweat changed. A fractured jaw knocked him out of commission for over a month and he caused an uproar with his opposition towards the vaccine, which some speculate preluded the team’s outbreak.

The rationale decision regarding Sweat was to give him another season to prove himself and that’s exactly what Washington did, which speaks volumes given they could’ve drafted one of Arnold Ebiketie, Boye Mafe, David Ojabo, Sam Williams, Drake Jackson or Nick Bonitto in the second round. Now, the promising 25-year-old has a clear path to securing a long-term future in Ashburn.