5 wide receivers the Commanders could select in the 2023 NFL Draft

Commanders could draft Demario Douglas

Speaking of Antonio Gandy-Golden, I wouldn’t be too worried about repeating that mistake should the Washington Commanders take another Liberty wide receiver late in this year’s draft. Demario Douglas is almost the exact opposite player.

Gandy-Golden impressed at the college level with his size, catch radius, and contested ball ability. But he never looked explosive and couldn’t outduel NFL-caliber cornerbacks.

At 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds, Douglas is much smaller. But he is a lot faster. And that speed is not merely straight-line speed.

Douglas runs very well after the catch. He is quick and fluid, and his broad jump and vertical numbers show just how explosive his legs are.

The prospect plays somewhat bigger than his small stature suggests and he does well with contested balls. Douglas made a touchdown catch against Wake Forest last year which even the announcers assumed had been intercepted. But when the dust settled, the little receiver was holding the ball.

He has a spin move that can make a lot of defenders miss and – I know how insane this may sound – but I see just a little bit of Gary Clark in Douglas. I’m not suggesting that he will rise to this level, but he is quick and he is tough and could be a real asset as a slot receiver.