Commanders 7-round mock draft: Trades, surprises in final 2023 edition
By Jonathan Eig
Commanders draft Jaxon Player
- Defensive Tackle | Baylor Bears
This is the second part of the trade-back that resulted in Ricky Stromberg. Jaxon Player is basically the aforementioned prospect on defense. The 6-foot, 300-pounder won’t be splashy, but he will help plug up the middle on running downs.
He would be the Washington Commanders lineman best-suited to play over center on short-yardage or on specialty plays. With Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Phidarian Mathis, and John Ridgeway, the defense is solid in the middle. But as we saw last season with Mathis, you can never have enough depth in the middle of either line.
Commanders draft Thomas Incoom
- Defensive End | Central Michigan Chippewas
Thomas Incoom is a great project player. If he were a few inches taller, the prospect would be drafted several rounds earlier – and he might have been playing for a higher-level college program.
As it is, he simply makes plays all the time. Incoom has great burst and surprising strength.
Incoom is not as explosive as former Pittsburgh Steeler great Greg Lloyd – not many players are – but he reminds me of Lloyd when I watch him. He always seems to be around the ball.
He will take some grooming, but with the Commanders’ strength on the edge, this would be an ideal situation for him to come in, play special teams, and learn.