It was a quieter process for general manager Adam Peters during the 2025 NFL Draft. The Washington Commanders only had five picks at their disposal following some bombshell trade activity throughout the offseason. After the front-office leader resisted trade-down opportunities, the margin for error was razor-thin.
Peters came out of the draft with high prospects on his board. He felt opportunities were too good to turn down, especially with Washington's window for another long-awaited Super Bowl firmly open. It adds pressure on those picked to make an immediate impression. Still, the Commanders also have enough spare financial resources to sign a couple of veterans remaining on the market if the right opportunities come along.
The roster is in good shape. Some potential complications could emerge, but Peters knows how to pivot. He also knows how important this campaign is after Washington made the NFC Championship game in 2024.
As always, the draft came with positives for some and negatives for others. With this in mind, here are four winners and three losers from the Commanders' 2025 NFL Draft.
Winners and losers from the Commanders' 2025 NFL Draft
Winner No. 1
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders selected Trey Amos at No. 61 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Adam Peters considered taking the physical cornerback in the first round before going with offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. When he dropped into their laps at the end of the second, there was enough conviction around the Ole Miss prospect.
This adds another accomplished perimeter corner into the mix. Amos thrives in press coverage, can hold his own against the run, and boasts the aggressive approach Dan Quinn typically looks for in his defensive backs. The Commanders will be expecting an immediate return on their investment, which could be great news for Mike Sainristil if everything goes well.
Sainristil performed exceptionally well during his rookie campaign. He was switched to the outside after others began to struggle. It's a task he managed successfully despite his lack of legitimate NFL size.
That was a positive, but Sainristil thrives in the nickel. This is where he took college football by storm at Michigan en route to being the No. 50 overall pick last year. Drafting Amos provides more flexibility, and should mean more duties in the slot for the second-year pro.
If Amos struggles to adjust, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has enough options to adjust accordingly. That wasn't the case last season, so it can only help.