Commanders could draft Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan
- Offensive Tackle | Oklahoma State Cowboys
Depth is always important on the offensive line. This is something the Commanders currently lack in terms of plug-and-play options who can ensure no momentum is lost when their numbers are called.
Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan is one of the players the Commanders have brought in on a top-30 visit. This is a sign they are interested in him, with one of their last picks in the draft.
The Oklahoma State prospect stands at 6-foot-8 and 315 pounds with an 85.5-inch wingspan. This gives him an outstanding size platform for an NFL tackle and a huge area that he can cover with his body with some extra polish.
He is also a physical player who can excel in both the run and pass blocking game. Christian-Lichtenhan posted a 77.5 run-blocking grade and an 86.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, allowing just three sacks on the season. He's not a Day 1 contributor, but the athletic intangibles are there for all to see.
Christian-Lichtenhan profiles as a developmental left tackle that can serve as good depth. This is a perfect fit for the Commanders if other needs are met beforehand.
Commanders could draft Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Running Back | Arizona Wildcats
This is one of the very few running backs that the Commanders have brought in on a top-30 visit during their comprehensive pre-draft assessments. We have already discussed how big of a need this is for the offense. Adam Peters cannot overlook it when the all-important selection event arrives.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had his season ended in the first week of the 2024 campaign, where he already had 106 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. This would have been his sixth season in college.
His 2023 season at New Mexico was explosive, putting up 1,191 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 188 carries. Croskey-Merritt also caught eight receptions for 72 receiving yards.
As fun as a prospect Croskey-Merritt is, he is very old for a running back prospect at 24 years old. He is also smaller at 5-foot-11 and 208 pounds. Due to this, he will likely be a very late-round prospect and more of a complementary back. He might even be available in undrafted free agency when it's all said and done.
The 2023 Second-Team All-Mountain West player has great vision and patience, which is always a positive in the pros. Croskey-Merritt could be a good depth addition to the Commanders' running back room.