Adam Peters is banking on experience to steer the Washington Commanders in a positive direction next season. It was a formula that brought significant success to the franchise in 2024. The general manager kept faith in his methods with aggressive moves that didn't jeopardize future financial flexibility.
An injection of youth is coming. Peters and his staff are currently finalizing plans before the 2025 NFL Draft. They only have five picks as things stand, but the Commanders are in a good spot with fewer legitimate needs to fill.
Peters could examine potential trade-down options to bolster capital. There's also the possibility of utilizing the undrafted free agent pool for unearthed diamonds who can carve out roles for themselves. Tyler Owens and Colson Yankoff both made the 53-man roster last season despite failing to hear their names called.
Some veteran players will be nervously looking over their shoulders. NFL progression waits for nobody. If Peters gets the chance to upgrade one position group through the draft, he won't hesitate to pull the trigger regardless of whether established stars become vulnerable or not.
That's all part of the business, and it's been a long time since the Commanders were run with such professionalism. On this topic, here are five players who could get demoted by draft picks in 2025.
Commanders players who could lose their spots to draft picks in 2025
Dominique Hampton - Commanders LB
According to ESPN's depth chart projection, Dominique Hampton is currently listed as the third starting linebacker alongside Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. That seems highly unlikely, but the team's lack of options within its linebacking unit could indicate the former sixth-round pick gets a bigger role than expected.
The Washington Commanders initially listed Hampton as a safety, where he played in college with great success, before switching him to the second level. This brought some intrigue, but the rookie was an innocent bystander during his first campaign in the pros.
Hampton made the roster but was a healthy scratch more often than not. He'll have benefited greatly from being around the squad in Year 1. At the same time, there's a real urgency for the Washington Huskies graduate to make significant improvements to increase his influence.
It would be surprising if the Commanders didn't add to their linebacking corps during the draft. Hopes are high that Jordan Magee can become more impactful with a better run of luck health-wise, but both the Temple product and Hampton remain unknown quantities.
Their presence should not stop Adam Peters from finding another explosive presence, preferably with outstanding pass-rushing credentials.