Adam Peters only has five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Some landmark trade activity over the offseason signified a win-now approach that came from a sensational first season under head coach Dan Quinn. The Washington Commanders must maximize every resource to ensure they have the capabilities to make another deep postseason run next time around.
Peters hasn't ruled anything out, including the prospect of making more trades. Another veteran incoming seems unlikely. So does moving up in the first round with so few assets right now.
That leaves trading down to accumulate more draft wealth. This is the most likely scenario. And the sooner Peters does it, the more he'll get in return.
Speculation is growing about the Commanders potentially moving out of the first round if a quarterback-needy team wants to go up for someone like Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, or Jalen Milroe. That'll be a waiting game, but Peters will be working the phones beforehand and considering all offers.
Commanders strike trade with Browns, land another Day 2 pick in ESPN's latest mock draft
Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates of ESPN projected the Cleveland Browns to strike a deal with the Commanders for the No. 29 overall selection. This gave Washington another Day 2 selection and the No. 33 pick, although they'll be giving up their fourth-rounder acquired as part of the Laremy Tunsil acquisition.
"Cleveland could look to trade back into the first round if the quarterback board falls the right way, and this is a good chance to do so. Makes a lot of sense to me. The Commanders would love an extra Day 2 pick."Mel Kiper Jr. & Field Yates
If the Commanders could get the No. 33 pick from the Browns, there's a good chance Peters could navigate another trade down. This provides Washington with a 24-hour window to examine the remaining prospects ahead of Day 2 and get offers from others. If one of the aforementioned quarterbacks is still around, a decent proposal should be on the table.
Kiper and Yates thought the Commanders would stand pat. Their three-round mock had Peters taking edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku (No. 33), cornerback Jacob Parrish (No. 61), and running back Kaleb Johnson (No. 67). That's not a bad haul from the first three selections.
Each prospect fills a need. Each prospect could potentially be ready to contribute right away with a smooth transition over the summer. Each prospect has the mentality that should fit well into Washington's enhanced culture shift.
Peters is right to keep everything on the table. The Commanders never tip their hand under the new regime. No leaks are emanating from the front-office operation, which means any assumptions made are guesses rather than anything with genuine substance attached.
It would be surprising if Peters didn't move back at some stage. Just when that'll be is anyone's guess, but Commanders fans have complete confidence in the current decision-makers to navigate the process successfully.
This is a game of chess. The pieces must be there to trade down. And when it comes to the crunch, there is always someone desperate enough to pay above the going rate.
That's something Peters will be looking to exploit. Make no mistake about that.