Adam Peters has the fate of an entire franchise in the palm of his hand. And there is nobody the Washington Commanders or its rejuvenated fanbase would want to lead the charge.
Peters' first year with the Commanders went better than anticipated. Gutting two-thirds of the roster was a calculated risk. He found the right blend of youth and experience, which became a recipe for success. Washington won 12 regular-season games and made it to the NFC Championship before falling short against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The future is incredibly bright. Peters is armed with significant financial resources to strengthen the ranks this offseason. He's also got seven selections during the 2025 NFL Draft to find instant difference-makers and enhance depth.
Washington found a franchise quarterback, a cornerstone cornerback, two long-term starters in the trenches, and some intriguing development pieces in Peters' first college selection process. This helped kickstart the Commanders' rebuild, so anything similar this time around is only going to help.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders might use their picks in our latest seven-round mock draft with the NFL Scouting Combine on the immediate horizon.
Commanders 7-round 2025 mock draft before the NFL Scouting Combine
Commanders draft Josh Simmons
- Offensive Tackle | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 29
This is a lot lower than Washington Commanders fans are used to picking. Adam Peters will be watching developments unfold in front of him with keen interest. Trading up or down cannot be dismissed. There's also the possibility of sacrificing the selection in pursuit of securing Myles Garrett via trade from the Cleveland Browns.
Nothing should be off the table right now. If someone like Josh Simmons fell through the cracks, it represents a high-risk, high-reward option for the Commanders at the bottom end of the first round.
From a talent perspective, Simmons is one of the best offensive tackles in this class. He's an exceptional pass protector with enough strength to hold his base on running plays and even help at the second level when needed. Unfortunately for the Ohio State prospect, there is one major red flag that could hurt his stock.
Simmons' campaign in 2024 ended ahead of time with a serious knee injury. He is expected to be cleared for the start of training camp and his representative Drew Rosenhaus expects him to go much higher than this. That is largely dependent on the medical assessments teams will undertake during the assessment process.
The Commanders cannot settle at the offensive tackle spots this offseason. If Simmons made it this far down the pecking order, it would be hard for Peters to turn down.
Commanders draft Kyle Kennard
- Edge Rusher | South Carolina Gamecocks
The Washington Commanders need to address their edge-rushing options this offseason. What they acquired during Adam Peters' first year sufficed for the short term. If this franchise wants to make its immediate success something sustainable, it needs more players capable of generating consistent pressure.
Washington remains strongly linked with a bold trade for Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. That would help significantly, but such a landmark transaction comes with jaw-dropping compensation attached. If Peters believes this would jeopardize his chances of molding a complete roster, he'll look elsewhere for reinforcements.
The best long-term (and cheapest) way to rectify this issue is via the draft. This is a deep class for defensive linemen and edge rushers, so expect Peters to take advantage.
Kyle Kennard has a lot of likable traits that Dan Quinn typically looks for in his edge defenders. He's supremely athletic with a relentless work ethic that's hard not to love. The South Carolina prospect is technically sound and explosive to the contact point. His high motor means he's never out of a play, which is exactly what the Commanders need.
Kennard thrived with increased competition in the SEC last season. He's a little undersized, but the player's position versatility makes him a potentially dangerous weapon in Quinn's scheme.
Commanders draft Alfred Collins
- Defensive Line | Texas Longhorns
The Commanders were met with a harsh reality during their NFC Championship loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. They don't have enough in the trenches to keep pace with their bitter division rivals.
Of course, every team is going to miss players like Daron Payne and Sam Cosmi. But looking at Washington's overall body of work, especially on the defensive front, it wasn't quite up to the required standard.
Washington has money to go after a prominent defensive lineman in free agency such as Milton Williams or Osa Odighizuwa. There are dozens of prospects in the draft to choose from — most of whom come with starting or key rotational upside with additional development.
Alfred Collins represents good value here. There's a chance the formidable Texas interior force goes higher, perhaps in the second round at some stage. If he's around in round three, the physical attributes and scope for growth make him an intriguing addition to Washington's defensive front.
Collins is a huge presence. He absorbs double teams effortlessly, which doesn't show up on the stat sheet but is a significant asset to call upon. His production leaped forward with the Longhorns in 2024. This indicates the penny is finally starting to drop where the player is concerned.
He'd be a little older than most rookies, but this will be a growing trend in the coming years with NIL becoming more influential in the college game.
Commanders draft Ollie Gordon II
- Running Back | Oklahoma State Cowboys
There are some questions to answer in the running back room. This need is going overlooked compared to others, but general manager Adam Peters needs to rethink the Washington Commanders' strategy alongside quarterback phenom Jayden Daniels in the backfield.
Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler formed a prolific tandem earlier in the campaign. They complimented each other well and took some pressure off Daniels for good measure. However, their regression down the stretch as injuries piled up cannot be ignored by the front office.
Expect the Commanders to add another running back or two. This is a deep draft class for Peters to pick apart. Adding from the college ranks represents the cheapest way to solve this need, especially considering Robinson and Ekeler will like still be on the books.
Ollie Gordon II was a Heisman Trophy candidate in 2023, which was eventually won by Daniels. His production dipped this season, but the player's 2,920 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns during his three campaigns at Oklahoma State will generate the attention of NFL scouts.
Gordon's vision is outstanding. He's a patient runner with enough explosiveness to exploit gaps at a moment's notice. The prospect is a decent pass-catching option out of the backfield, although his technique in pass protection needs refinement.
Commanders draft Antwane Wells Jr.
- Wide Receiiver | Ole Miss Rebels
Finding Jayden Daniels more productive weapons in the wide receiver room is another high priority for general manager Adam Peters this offseason. There is money to spend in free agency. One couldn't dismiss the possibility of trading for someone like Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel Sr., although the latter could be released in the coming weeks.
There's also the draft to consider. The Commanders already have a legitimate No. 1 wideout in second-team All-Pro Terry McLaurin. Peters must find pieces to support the former Ohio State standout via complimentary roles further down the depth chart.
This isn't the deepest group of wide receivers, certainly not compared to recent years. However, there's no reason Peters cannot find a diamond in the rough who can slot into Kliff Kingsbury's scheme effectively.
Antwane Wells Jr. offers something a little different to what the Commanders currently possess. He's a significant threat after the catch, running with dynamism and physicality that fits into Kingsbury's system well. An injury ended his 2023 campaign ahead of time, but the wideout bounced back and flashed moments of real promise after transferring from South Carolina to Ole Miss.
Wells has the versatility and ability to impact proceedings across the middle that Washington could put to good use.
Commanders draft Craig Woodson
- Defensive Back | California Golden Bears
The Washington Commanders could make some slight tweaks to their safety options this offseason. If Adam Peters cannot work out a long-term deal with Jeremy Chinn after his superb first season with the team, the need becomes more urgent.
Even if Chinn sticks around, bolstering the depth options behind the starting duo wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. Darrick Forrest is a free agent and won't return. Percy Butler is a potential salary-cap casualty. Tyler Owens remains a work in progress with the physical scope to impact special teams.
Taking a flier on another safety with one of Washington's final picks is something for Peters to consider. Craig Woodson comes with more impressive traits than most at this stage of the draft, with his athleticism and versatility representing traits Dan Quinn looks for in his defensive backs.
Woodson isn't the most physically imposing, but he's a fluid mover capable of matching up in man coverage. The defensive back is a willing helper against the run, arriving violently to the contact point with enough technique to make a difference.
Teams will be watching Woodson's top-end speed during the evaluation stage, which isn't the best. But his overall outlook is well worth the Commanders examining closer on day three of the draft.
Commanders draft Carson Vinson
- Offensive Tackle | Alabama A&M Bulldogs
Carson Vinson is one of the most intriguing names entering the draft this year. The Alabama A&M offensive tackle isn't expected to be among the first prospects taken by any stretch of the imagination, but someone is going to bet on his imposing physical attributes in the hope they become something more with NFL coaching.
Vinson dominated almost everything in his path with the Bulldogs. He's got an elite-level wingspan that allows the edge protector to create leverage effortlessly. But the lack of high-caliber competition in college is something that will hurt his stock.
The prospect will get the chance to showcase what he can offer in front of influential NFL personnel before the draft. Alabama's pro day is always well attended considering the program's been a pro-pipeline over the last decade. Vinson has been permitted to work out by the Crimson Tide. Taking advantage of this will go a long way to determining where he's eventually picked.
Washington could bring Vinson into the fold as a development project to back up their starting offensive tackles. If he takes on coaching and makes more of his impressive athletic profile, one couldn't dismiss the possibility of a starting role in his future somewhere down the line.