Which way could the Washington Commanders go with their 2023 NFL Draft selections with a little more than a fortnight until the big weekend?
Now that the money has dried up for the Washington Commanders, it’s essential that those in power find some valuable contributors during the 2023 NFL Draft. And with eight picks to make this happen, the chances are high.
Ron Rivera and his staff are working with added distractions until Dan Snyder sells the team. This hasn’t stopped the Commanders from continuing their culture shift, but whether it’s enough to mount a serious NFC East championship claim next season is the big question.
Building through the draft and rewarding established performers is Rivera’s preferred approach. It’s a complete shift from how the Commanders went about their business under previous regimes, but it’s also one that gives them a solid young nucleus that can potentially propel the organization to more profitable fortunes in the coming years.
This looks like a pretty good class for the positions Washington needs. However, the head coach also stated the Commanders wouldn’t hesitate to take the best player available if they felt it could provide the spark needed with plenty at stake next time around.
Using the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders might approach each selection in our latest seven-round mock.
Commanders draft Darnell Wright
- Offensive Tackle | Tennessee Volunteers
Ron Rivera might have publicly declared his happiness with the offensive line options, but it would be unwise for the Washington Commanders to ignore an impressive group of protectors emerging from the college ranks this year. Something that would give Eric Bieniemy and Sam Howell the best possible chance to take this team forward positively.
There is a lot to like about Charles Leno Jr.’s production taking another leap forward with better options around him. However, if the chance to draft a legitimate offensive tackle capable of solidifying the edge long-term comes along, it’s something to consider.
Darnell Wright is someone drawing interest from the Commanders throughout a busy pre-draft assessment process. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Tennessee product is visiting with no fewer than 20 teams before the all-important selection event formally begins.
Wright is gaining significant momentum at the right time. He is fast, physical, hard-working, and has the athletic scope for further improvements upon arriving at the next level.
If the Commanders went in this direction, Wright could slot in at the right tackle position. Andrew Wylie would move inside to the right guard spot, which could be a huge upgrade on anything Washington churned out on the right-hand side of their line in 2023.
Commanders draft Trenton Simpson
- Linebacker | Clemson Tigers
There are numerous ways the Washington Commanders can go with their second-round selection. If the offensive line becomes their focus at No. 16 overall, then adding to the defense might be a viable possibility for those in power if the right prospect falls.
This is the exact scenario that presented itself here. Although Trenton Simpson is seen by most analysts as a mid-to-late first-round selection, he dropped to a spot that the Commanders would be foolish not to take advantage of.
Simpson is an explosive linebacker that represents a three-down force. His instincts against the run are tremendous, which is matched by pass-rushing ability and coverage capabilities in equal measure.
The former Clemson star is aggressive and physical, which matches the way Jack Del Rio deploys his defense. If Simpson adds a little extra discipline to his game, someone is going to have the complete package on their hands at the defensive second level.
Standing out on such a gifted Tigers’ defense wasn’t easy. Yet it’s hard to look at their film and not be taken by how Simpson made his presence felt.
Whether the need for a shutdown cornerback trumps their desire to find another productive linebacker remains to be seen. Much will also depend on whether Simpson makes it this far down the pecking order considering what he could become with additional development.
Commanders draft Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
- Cornerback | TCU Horned Frogs
As stated previously, the Washington Commanders need to find themselves another cornerback relatively early during the 2023 NFL Draft. Cameron Dantzler Sr.’s arrival this offseason doesn’t change this fact despite the potential attached.
There is a high probability the Commanders could draft one of the top-end prospects at No. 16 overall depending on how things shake out. Someone like Joey Porter Jr. would be hard to turn down, for example.
If the Commanders opted to wait a little longer, then Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson comes into the equation as a slot option. The experienced prospect might be a little on the small side, but that didn’t stop him from having a highly-productive college career at TCU.
Hodges-Tomlinson’s instincts are outstanding. The player reads opposing quarterbacks extremely well and has the closing burst needed to make things difficult for any pass-catcher in his path.
The nephew of Pro Football Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson packs a powerful punch either in press coverage or assisting against the run. If Hodges-Tomlinson was over six feet he’d be a first-round lock, but that’s simply not the case and these size restrictions are going to hurt his stock when push comes to shove.
With that being said, if the Commanders put him as a slot-only option and rely on players such as Kendall Fuller, Dantzler, and Benjamin St-Juste on the outside, it could work out well.
Commanders draft Byron Young
- Defensive Line | Tennessee Volunteers
Adding to the defensive line wouldn’t be the Washington Commanders’ biggest need compared to others. But improving depth is something that should be contemplated at the right time.
This bears more significance when one considers Montez Sweat and Chase Young are on the lookout for new deals. It’ll be difficult to keep both happy – especially with the money tied up in Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen – so a contingency plan must be put in place.
If Byron Young is available at this point of the draft, the Commanders could do far worse than look in his direction. The versatile player can operate on the edge or as a three-technique on the interior, which is always highly valued by NFL teams when identifying prospects of interest from the collegiate level.
Young thrives against the run and has an exceptional motor for a man his size. His frame already looks ready to make an instant contribution thanks to his flexibility and ability to put his eye-catching leverage to good use.
The former Tennessee star isn’t the most explosive coming off the edge. But this represents a decent rotational option for the Commanders that can emerge as a potential starting-caliber candidate if Sweat or Young end up departing the organization in the not-too-distant future.
Commanders draft Olusegun Oluwatimi
- Offensive Line | Michigan Wolverines
This is a deep draft class for interior offensive linemen. Something that could lead the Washington Commanders into picking up a solid rotational piece that can evolve into a starting option over time.
Olusegun Oluwatimi ticks the boxes in that regard. His performance levels increased with every passing year at Michigan, which was further enhanced by an eye-catching series of practices at the 2023 Senior Bowl.
Oluwatimi spent a large part of his career with the Wolverines at the center position. However, the prospect has the bulk and frame to make a smooth transition into one of the guard spots if the Commanders or someone else thinks it can benefit his chances of making a go of things at the next level.
The lineman has a high football IQ and reads things well pre-snap. There is enough athleticism in his locker to become an asset in pass protection, with Oluwatimi also demonstrating a willingness to find work at the second level almost constantly on tape.
Once Oluwatimi improves some technical aspects of his game, it’s all systems go. The Commanders might even have a Day 1 option on their hands depending on where the coaching staff plans to utilize free-agent signing Nick Gates.
Commanders draft Will Mallory
- Tight End | Miami Hurricanes
One of the biggest conundrums facing Eric Bieniemy during his first season with the Washington Commanders is finding better productivity at the tight end position. There’s a chance the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator rolls with the current options, but this is a deep draft class that shouldn’t be dismissed entirely.
Bieniemy relied heavily on the tight end position producing the goods during his glittering spell with the Kansas City Chiefs. Not many turn out to be Travis Kelce, obviously, but Will Mallory could be a high-value option to consider on Day 3 that can rapidly emerge into a productive performer under the play-caller’s guidance.
Mallory has eye-catching athleticism and caught the attention of scouts at Miami’s pro day with an outstanding demonstration of exactly this. He is the prototypical size for an NFL tight end and has the versatility to line up anywhere in pursuit of creating the mismatches needed.
The prospect represents a big-bodied presence that can assist across the middle with relative comfort as a chain mover. Mallory is also a red-zone weapon thanks to his wide catch radius and ability to get the football from its highest point.
While Mallory is a work in progress from a blocking standpoint, there’s a lot to like overall. And there would be no better place for any tight end hopeful to land thanks to Bieniemy’s presence.
Commanders draft Rashad Torrence II
- Defensive Back | Florida Gators
At this stage of the draft, it’s about unearthing rough diamonds. Something that separates the legitimate Super Bowl challengers from the also-rans more often than not.
The Washington Commanders boast a tremendous starting safety tandem in Kamren Curl and Darrick Forrest. They also have high hopes for Percy Butler after the physical defensive back caught the eye when called upon during his rookie campaign.
With that being said, finding another backend presence to assist wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world. Rashad Torrence II is a dynamic figure that excels in zone coverage, which is the type of scheme Jack Del Rio deploys more than any other if his time in Washington so far is any indication.
Torrence is a savvy player that anticipates things with supreme efficiency. What he lacks in size is more than compensated by being in the right place at the right time consistently.
The one-time Florida stud has eye-catching footwork and fluid hips that make changing direction effortless. Torrence has some development upcoming regarding pursuit angles and coping with more physically-imposing players at the next level, but this looks like a player that could immediately fit onto the Commanders’ defensive rotation and also play a significant role on special teams right out of the gate.
Commanders draft Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Running Back | Kentucky Wildcats
The Washington Commanders are seemingly comfortable moving forward with Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson as their starting running back duo. However, adding a third option at some stage during the 2023 NFL Draft should be considered after the team released J.D. McKissic with a failed physical designation.
While there remains some speculation about Bijan Robinson being the pick at No. 16 overall, it would be a bombshell and a luxury that those in power cannot really afford considering the stakes next season. Further down the pecking order, it becomes more realistic.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. has a lot of likable traits that could be of use. The Kentucky product gained 6.2 yards per carry throughout his college career – which is no mean feat in the SEC – with the player’s red-zone vision something else that stands out considerably when watching his film.
The former three-star high school recruit isn’t the quickest by any stretch, but Rodriguez is patient, physical, and can get through seams when opportunities arise. This is matched by a willingness to keep plowing through contact with aggression that is sure to go down well in the pros.
Landing in the right spot will be crucial. In this scenario, Rodriguez would be nothing more than a complimentary piece behind Gibson and Robinson, which might actually be a good thing as he works on pass-blocking and catching deficiencies.