Carving out the Washington Commanders 2023 NFL Draft blueprint

How the Commanders should approach 2023 NFL Draft

The other obvious position of need for the Washington Commanders is linebacker. That poses a problem.

I don’t think this is a great year for college linebackers. I have already written that I would take DeMarvion Overshown in Round 3, but I don’t think he’ll be available. I don’t think there’s another linebacker I would select before Day 3.

So, here’s what I’m doing:

• Round 1: Christian Gonzalez or Joey Porter Jr.
• Round 2: Dalton Kincaid or Sam LaPorta
• Round 3: DeMarvion Overshown or the best offensive lineman available

Then on Day 3, I fill in with linemen, linebackers, and secondary depth. I would also seriously consider taking running back Chase Brown from Illinois to step into J.D. McKissic’s shoes after his recent release.

That’s my plan, unless…

If I can trade down in Round 1 and still get one of my top six corners, I’m doing it. This is what the Commanders did last year when they passed on Chris Olave because they preferred Jahan Dotson and more picks.

Cornerbacks in this year’s draft look a lot like wide receivers in 2022. Plentiful and top-heavy.

And then there’s this: if Overshown is gone, and there aren’t any linemen who jump out at you in the third round – and if Hendon Hooker is still undrafted, it’s something that cannot be overlooked.

This is why I love the draft. It’s like playing poker with someone else’s money.