2023 Mock Draft 3.0: Commanders take potential Heisman Trophy finalist

The Washington Commanders were able to pull off a major upset last Sunday with a beloved backup quarterback when Green Bay came to town, but Washington could be looking at another change at quarterback next spring.  The offseason arrives in just two and a half months and the 2023 NFL Draft will be here before we know it.

Following Sunday’s stunning victory against the Packers, the Washington Commanders have a record of 3-4 and the schedule doesn’t get any easier over the final ten games.  Some fans want the team to continue to play for victories and others prefer to have hopes of a higher draft status next spring.  Fans can talk about the football malfeasance earlier in the season, perceived injustices, and bad luck from the football gods, but it doesn’t change the fact that Washington is likely to have early to mid-round picks in nearly every round when April arrives.

Welcome to the third in-season mock draft from yours truly and we have plenty of changes to talk about today.  First and foremost, there will be no trades in Mock 3.0.  Also, our previous team needs remain the same for now.  However, that could be altered somewhat in the coming weeks, especially with the possibility of a winning streak that may continue beyond what we see now.

We will operate under the assumption that quarterback Carson Wentz will not play at least 70% of the snaps this season after suffering an injury in the Bears game.  If Wentz plays in 70% or more plays this season, the Commanders will surrender a second round pick to the Colts.  If the number of snaps is less than the 70% threshold, then Washington’s third round selection will go to Indianapolis.  Let’s go right to Mock 3.0

Washington Commanders 2023 Mock Draft 3.0

Round One

Joey Porter, Cornerback, Penn State

One of the obvious needs going into the offseason for the Commanders will be cornerback.  The team is likely to move on from free agent bust William Jackson and the dwindling skillsets of Kendall Fuller.  When looking for an elite cornerback at the collegiate level, he needs to have skills that allow him to thrive in man and zone coverage – today’s best corners in the NFL can do both.

Joey Porter of Penn State is one such athlete and he is a mid to late first round prospect.  At 6-2, 195 pounds, Porter is at his best on the outside, but some scouts see him as a free safety at the next level.  While Porter could do well playing deep, it would be a mistake to waste his skills with such a move.  Playing off the ball is not a strength for him.  Playing closer to the receiver at the line is Porter’s best bet.

Porter is the son of Joey Porter, Sr., the All-Pro linebacker for the Steelers and Dolphins in the early 2000s.  The younger Porter certainly has the pedigree and talent to be a starter from day one.  He doesn’t lack the confidence and will to succeed, but he will need to adapt quickly to the faster, taller, and stronger receivers of the NFL.

Round Two

Hendon Hooker, Quarterback, Tennessee

A few weeks ago (following the Jacksonville game), drafting a quarterback was not considered by analysts and fans alike.  The Commanders seemed set with a northern plains gunslinger, a gritty backup, and a promising prospect.  The tide has quickly changed and while it still seems a bit premature, the need for a franchise quarterback still exists.  At this juncture, Washington owns the No. 15 overall draft pick for now and that takes them out of the early round one signal callers.

Enter Hendon Hooker.  Hooker is considered by most scouting and draft services to be a third or fourth round prospect at this time.  The former Virginia Tech player transferred to Tennessee and his fortunes began to change for the better in 2021.  Hooker is a gifted runner and can gain major chunks of yardage at any moment, but the knock on him was his lack of success as a pocket passer.

The good news is that 2022 continues to validate his skills as an in-the-pocket quarterback and yours truly now sees him as a legitimate second rounder.  His coming out party was the recent game where he led the Volunteers to a 52 point outburst against Alabama and their vaunted defense – an emotional home field upset victory.  Hooker is now starting to receive a few whispers about being a Heisman Trophy candidate.  Is talk of being a first round prospect next?

Note: Yours truly will continue to closely monitor the various quarterback prospects and where the Commanders could draft one next spring, but only if it trends in that direction.  It’s a highly emotional topic, but we’ll do our best to navigate these tricky waters in the coming months.  Feel free to leave your quarterback recommendations in the comments below.