Commanders 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Final countdown edition

Which direction could the Washington Commanders go with their 2023 NFL Draft picks with a few days left before the critical event arrives?

The Washington Commanders are about to embark on one of the most important NFL Draft processes in recent memory. There is enormous pressure on head coach Ron Rivera to get things right with no salary-cap space and new ownership coming into the fold shortly, which will see his seat go from lukewarm to piping hot in the blink of an eye.

Washington seems happy enough with their free-agent acquisitions. Therefore, a strong draft could be enough for Rivera to make legitimate strides if everyone stays clear of injury next season.

There is no margin for error, which is an urgency that could crumble most. However, Rivera is made of stern stuff and has yet to deviate from his current plan despite the speculation growing about his long-term future with the franchise.

Using the Pro Football Focus simulator, we took a look at which way the Commanders might go with their picks in this special seven-round mock draft.

Round No. 1 (Trade)

Commanders trade down from No. 16 overall

Ron Rivera is renowned for examining trade-down options if he feels like it can benefit the Washington Commanders. In this scenario, a deal is struck with the Tennessee Titans, who traded down with the New York Giants before moving up again later in the process.

This gives the Commanders an extra second-round selection this year. More importantly, it also provides an additional first-rounder in 2024 to potentially use on a quarterback if Sam Howell cannot meet expectations.