Commanders could draft Ahmed Hassanein
Developing raw talent into something NFL-ready requires a lot of things. Good coaching, luck, and perhaps most of all, the right temperament from the player involved. This is something Ahmed Hassanein would offer the Washington Commanders as a potential rough diamond late in the 2025 NFL Draft.
A stud for Boise State, Hassanein took an unconventional path to football, a journey explained by Cameron's Dalton Wasserman from Pro Football Focus:
"Hassanein is a late bloomer with an intriguing background. He grew up in Egypt competing in CrossFit and combat sports throughout his childhood. His transition to football has worked out tremendously, as he racked up 115 pressures and 24 sacks over his final two seasons at Boise State. He should be drafted on Day 3 by a team that feels it can continue to develop his burgeoning skills."Dalton Wasserman
The Commanders offer the right environment for Hassanein to build on what he started with the Broncos. Head coach Dan Quinn's presence as a passionate educator with more than his share of expertise about defensive line play would help. But so would learning from Washington's defensive line coach, Darryl Tapp, and pass rush specialist Ryan Kerrigan, a former player who needs no introduction to those following in his footsteps.
Both played on the edges in the NFL. Kerrigan, in particular, thrived more through hustle than dynamic athleticism. He'd see a kindred spirit in Hassanein, who is another high-motor type able to get stronger later in games.
Energy reserves and effort make up for the lack of nuance in Hassanein's rush plan. Even so, his potential and numbers are too good to ignore when teams go bargain-hunting in the later rounds.
Starting late, being undersized, and a lack of legitimate college experience are near the top of the list of reasons pass-rushers slide to the final day, but none of that should worry Quinn. He can point Adam Peters in the direction of more than one under-the-radar sack artist when the picks start pushing toward the 200s.
The Commanders might be thinking a little bolder. Several intriguing possibilities could be available at the end of round one if a trade-down partner doesn't come forward. Peters acknowledged it's a deep group, so he could have something else up his sleeve depending on how the board shakes out.
Regardless of which direction Peters goes, the Commanders have to emerge from the draft with an explosive pass-rushing force capable of making an immediate impact with a smooth transition. Nothing else will do.