Commanders 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: New era edition

Commanders draft Daiyan Henley

• Linebacker | Washington State Cougars

Another area that the Washington Commanders could strengthen as a matter of urgency centers on the defensive second level. Cody Barton looks like a readymade replacement for the departed Cole Holcomb, but another starter is needed looking at the team’s current depth chart options.

This is a decent group of prospects for the Commanders to examine. Daiyan Henley is one that’s gone a little under the radar, but the benefits of deploying him within Jack Del Rio’s system are there for all to see.

Henley has a nice blend of size and athleticism. The former Washington State star is a supreme tackling force on a sideline-to-sideline basis, with the prospect’s ability in coverage another exceptional element to his on-field production that would go down extremely well on the Commanders.

While Henley would be on the small side, there’s some value in the player emerging as a core rotational piece that can emerge into something more over time. He also represents a potential difference-maker on special teams while developing other areas of his game.

There are far worse avenues the Commanders could go in pursuit of improving their linebacking corps. Henley also displays the sort of work ethic that has become synonymous with Del Rio’s defense in double-quick time.