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.

Round Three (Compensatory Pick)

Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee

If you’re going to draft their quarterback, then you should draft one of his best pass protectors.  Contrary to what some may claim in East Tennessee, Darnell Wright is not the same height as Clingmans Dome – the tallest mountain in the Great Smokies.  At 6-6, 335 pounds, Wright comes close.  He has extensive experience at both tackle positions and while he has played at left tackle in the past, Wright is a better fit at right tackle in the NFL (his current gig).

Drafting a right tackle is certainly a solid strategy for the Commanders.  This would allow Sam Cosmi to move to right guard – a likely better fit for him and Washington.  That would solve two issues with just a singular pick.  Wright is rated as a fourth round prospect by some analysts while others grade him as a second rounder, but he has a good chance of being there when Washington selects later in the evening on day two.

Wright should lose about five to ten pounds and gain some muscle mass.  A slightly leaner frame would improve his quickness in the rushing offense and be much nimbler as a pass protector.  At the very least, Wright could start by mid-season in year one.  One other note – Wright thought about transferring from Tennessee after the program faced some NCAA violations a few years ago, but he decided to remain loyal to the team and give his best efforts to the Volunteers.  That kind of dedication will serve Wright well at the next level.

Round Four

Demarvion Overshown, Linebacker, Texas

A couple of years ago, Demarvion Overshown was the talk of analysts and college football fans across the nation.  The only thing that has changed is the number of linebackers that have caught up to his skills.  Overshown is still a much better-than-average player and he would be a solid pick in the middle rounds.

Similar in size to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Overshown has talents that are also similar to the Cleveland Browns standout, but could use some more polish to his game.  He is currently having a very good season for the Longhorns and is one of the better tacklers and linebackers in the Big 12 Conference.  Overshown can quickly get to the quarterback for a sack or just put heavy pressure in blitz packages.  He can shed blocks and limit running backs or provide solid pass coverage against tight ends, receivers, and running backs on the perimeter or crossing over the middle.

With solid sideline-to-sideline speed, Overshown demonstrates solid pursuit.  How would he do at Buffalo nickel?  It could take him some time to learn the Buff, but it would be another talent to add at the next level.

With the continued improvement of Cole Holcomb and Jamin Davis, Overshown would be a depth piece in his first season.  He could work his way into the rotation later in his first season or certainly in year two.  Overshown is definitely not a project and is likely to have a good career in the NFL.

Round Five

Braeden Daniels, Offensive Guard, Utah

One of the primary issues affecting the offense negatively this season has been the offensive line.  Injuries have certainly hurt the unit, but depth has been a part of the problems as well.  When the Commanders signed talented, but aging guards Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner, coaches were hoping both players could rekindle their production from previous years.  The plan has backfired miserably.

Utah’s Braeden Daniels could be a part of the solution to the issues, but he will need to adjust to the life of an NFL lineman.  At 6-4, 315 pounds, he is the starting left tackle for the Utes.  He has played left guard and right tackle since his arrival in Salt Lake City.  Scouts and analysts generally agree that he is a guard at the next level, but will need most, if not all, of his first season learning the speed and power of defensive linemen in the NFL.  Daniels has added more than 30 pounds of bulk and muscle since his freshman year at Utah.  He has the talent to be a starting left guard (he is better on the left side) for a decade or more.

Round Six

Julius Brents, Cornerback, Kansas State

At 6-4, 205 pounds, Julius Brents is not drawing a lot of attention from the college football media world, but scouts are aware of his raw talent and potential.  In fact, he could be a riser on draft boards in the coming months – possibly to third or fourth round status.  For now, we place him here with the realization that it could change.

Brents had a respectable 2021 and he is continuing to impress in 2022.  As he quietly goes about this season, Brents is flying under the radar in a crowded airspace of talented corners across the nation.  A sure tackler with above average speed, the Wildcats standout is able to keep up with quick receivers with long strides and solid fundamentals.  He could end up playing free safety or Buffalo nickel in addition to cornerback, but Brents will need time to adjust to the NFL.  Don’t bet against him.

Round Seven

Cory Trice, Cornerback, Purdue

With the Commanders likely to move on from two of their cornerbacks during the offseason (one of the corners could be gone sometime soon), it makes sense to draft more than one prospect at the position.

Also, the team has a knack for finding very good prospects in the seventh round over the years – James Smith-Williams, Shaka Toney, Kamren Curl, and Dax Milne are regular contributors over the last two years.  This year’s seventh rounders, Christian Holmes and Chris Paul, provide solid special teams play and quality depth.

Cory Trice could follow the same path to success and provide the team with good depth and special teams acumen.  That is how his impact will need to happen initially, but Trice could surprise at the next level as a depth option at corner.  At 6-3, 215 pounds, the redshirt senior could end up being a very good addition in the late rounds.

Commanders 2023 NFL Draft Thoughts

As we get deeper into the 2022 season, the team’s needs for the upcoming offseason are becoming known.  Cornerback is obviously the top need for now, but keep an eye on the quarterbacks.

Mock 4.0 is coming in two weeks.  What changes will we see?  Will a quarterback be mocked in round one?  See you as we go along.