Commanders 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: BPA edition
By Dean Jones
Commanders draft Steve Avila
- Offensive Line | TCU Horned Frogs
It’s no secret that the Washington Commanders could use a prominent offensive lineman early in the draft. Ron Rivera declared his happiness with the team’s current options after signing Nick Gates and Andrew Wylie in free agency, but ignoring a gifted group of interior protectors would be a major mistake.
One prospect that the Commanders are taking a closer look at is Steve Avila. The one-time TCU standout played a leading role in the Horned Frogs’ memorable run to the college football national championship game in 2022 and is set for a trip to Washington on a top-30 visit in the coming days.
Avila is a mauler in the run game with the raw strength to carve open lanes at will. This is matched by some outstanding development in pass protection, which is something else the Commanders desperately need on their interior after so much lackluster production during the previous campaign.
Adding Avila and immediately slotting him at the left guard position strengthens the starting unit. The team remains high in left tackle Charles Leno Jr., so adding an explosive young presence alongside him would solidify the blindside for Sam Howell or Jacoby Brissett next season.
This is a risk worth taking early on Day 2. Avila is accomplished, ascending, and emerging as a leader of men – which could fit in extremely well with the Commanders’ current way of thinking.