5 players Commanders could have drafted over first-round flop Jamin Davis

Commanders could have drafted Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was a favorite before the 2021 NFL Draft. Many Washington Commanders fans thought this should have been the team's first-round selection thanks to his exceptional athletic attributes and dominant college production at Notre Dame. Ron Rivera - as he always seemed to manage - went against the grain with Jamin Davis.

Davis wasn't a complete bust, going over 100 tackles in two of his three full seasons with the Commanders. However, his performances were nowhere near the level expected of a first-round selection. This was a sentiment echoed by the new regime, who wasted no time in fortifying their linebacking corps with the free-agent signings of Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner.

Owusu-Koramoah is a different story. He had to wait until just after the Commanders picked Sam Cosmi to hear his name called. More than a few teams around the league are regretting that right now.

The second-level enforcer is a menace in all phases. Owusu-Koramoah earned a lucrative new deal from the Cleveland Browns as a result of his outstanding efforts. Washington fans can only look and wonder why Rivera didn't see what was staring him in the face.

Commanders could have drafted Greg Newsome II

The Commanders have been crying out for consistent cornerback play. Their current unit is treading water, playing well against the bottom feeders but getting exposed versus better opposition. It's sufficing up to now. That won't be the case if Washington makes the postseason in Year 1 under the new regime.

Greg Newsome II was there for the taking in 2021. The feisty cornerback is widely regarded as one of the league's best coverage presences in the nickel spot. He's been the subject of trade speculation in recent weeks. However, this is thanks in no small part to the Cleveland Browns' current plight rather than any steep drop-off in production.

Newsome is conceding 60.12 percent of his targets on average over his four-year career. He's a stout presence against the run without being the biggest. The Commanders could use someone like this right now, especially considering second-round rookie Mike Sainristil is being forced to play outside.

Jamin Davis was the guy instead. Yet another swing and a miss by Ron Rivera, who had very few draft successes during his time in the role.