The Washington Commanders are looking to cement their postseason claims over the final five games of the 2024 season. For those behind the scenes, attention is slowly turning to the offseason and their assessments of potential recruits from the college ranks.
General manager Adam Peters navigated his first draft in the prominent position of power well. He secured a franchise quarterback with his first pick and found some decent contributors with long-term upside across the remaining six rounds. The Commanders are in good hands, but the hard work is just getting started.
Peters has a long-term plan to get the Commanders back into contention. They're not quite ready to compete with the NFL's elite just yet, but one could argue Washington is much further ahead in its rebuild despite losing the last three contests.
The Commanders have seven draft picks at their disposal. Their needs are becoming clearer, although they could alter further depending on what additions are acquired in free agency with the team becoming a coveted destination once again.
With this in mind, we looked at how the Commanders might approach their selections in our latest seven-round mock using the Pro Football Network simulator.
Commanders build around Jayden Daniels in 7-round NFL mock draft
Commanders draft Cameron Williams
- Offensive Tackle | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 21
The Washington Commanders need to give Jayden Daniels the protection to thrive. He's got the talent, but the offensive line's regression in recent weeks proved complicated. That could force Adam Peters into drastic action if the same trend continues.
Andrew Wylie's future beyond the current campaign isn't set in stone. Brandon Coleman has shown promise on the blindside, but the Commanders cannot settle in pursuit of maximizing Daniels' rookie contract.
Cameron Williams has the size and length typically associated with productive edge protectors at the next level. The Texas prospect packs a heavy punch at the point of attack, knocking oncoming rushers off their chosen path quickly. He's also got a ruthless streak that's hard not to love.
Williams will be a force in the run game from the moment he steps onto the field. He's got some work to do where counter moves are concerned. However, there is a tremendous amount of promise for the coaching staff to work with if they go in this direction.
Commanders draft Kyle Kennard
- Edge Rusher | South Carolina Gamecocks
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 55
It would be surprising if Kyle Kennard made it this far down the pecking order. But if the promising edge rusher is available at this juncture, the Washington Commanders should seriously consider the possibility.
The Commanders need to apply more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. They've progressed steadily in this area, but it often becomes their undoing against the better offensive lines around the league.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Clelin Ferrell haven't met expectations as yet. Dante Fowler Jr.'s production is a pleasant surprise. He's also out of contract next spring and could get a lucrative offer elsewhere.
Regardless of whether Fowler stays or not, the Commanders need to find an explosive young edge rusher capable of forming a key part of the team's defensive plans moving forward. Kennard fits the bill, boasting a unique blend of speed and power that's taken college football by storm in 2024.
Kennard knows how to generate pressure and get around the football on running plays. Once the South Carolina prospect refines his pass-rushing repertoire and tackling technique, the sky's the limit.
Commanders draft Jalen Royals
- Wide Receiver | Utah State Aggies
Round No. 3 | Pick No. 77
If the Commanders want Jayden Daniels to excel throughout his time with the franchise, they need more weapons in the passing game. Terry McLaurin remains an outstanding performer and one of the league's most reliable wide receivers. His supporting cast wouldn't be classed as stellar by any stretch.
Noah Brown is decent but prone to mistakes. The same goes for Olamide Zaccheaus. Dyami Brown remains on the fringes and might not return in 2024. Luke McCaffrey is an unknown quantity despite accumulating some nice advanced statistics without the targets to show for it.
Expect the Commanders to address this heavily throughout the offseason. Fans are dreaming of landing a big fish like Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins. That would be a sensational addition, but it shouldn't stop Washington from looking to the draft for another long-term option.
Jalen Royals is an intriguing prospect at this stage of the draft. The Utah State playmaker dealt with injuries earlier in the season, but he's bolstered his stock considerably with some sensational performances to conclude the campaign.
Royals has the electrifying traits and big play ability that the Commanders need. Something that could help take Daniels' game to new heights along the way.
Commanders draft Jason Marshall Jr.
- Cornerback | Florida Gators
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 148
The Washington Commanders made a huge statement of intent before the 2024 trade deadline by securing the services of Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints. Fans are still waiting for the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback to make his debut, which might come after the bye looking at his status for their Week 13 outing against the Tennessee Titans.
Adam Peters didn't acquire Lattimore for a short-term fix. He saw this as a long-term investment - someone who could form a potentially prolific tandem with second-round rookie Mike Sainristil. Things are less certain further down the depth chart.
Benjamin St-Juste's involvement is diminishing. Noah Igbinoghene flashes promise but is out of contract. Michael Davis will be moved on once his deal expires. Former first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes Jr. looks like a lost cause in desperate need of a fresh start.
More might be needed during the offseason for depth purposes if nothing else. Jason Marshall Jr. is someone who looks the part without quite accumulating the consistency needed at the collegiate level.
Marshall's got the size and length Dan Quinn looks for in his cornerbacks. He's physical and has no trouble assisting against the run. There is some development needed from a technical standpoint and he's not the quickest, but the Florida prospect represents good value at this stage of the draft.
Commanders draft RJ Maryland
- Tight End | SMU Mustangs
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 198
This will depend on whether the Commanders give Zach Ertz another season. The veteran tight end is a decent security blanket in the passing game and quickly became an outstanding leadership presence in the locker room. However, he's not getting any younger.
John Bates is a solid blocking option who could get another short-term extension to maintain stability. The Commanders also have second-round rookie Ben Sinnott, who's been seldom used in the passing attack this season as he slowly develops under Kliff Kingsbury's offensive coaching staff.
The Commanders might acquire another intriguing tight-end option from the college ranks if Ertz departs. RJ Maryland comes with more upside than most at this juncture.
Maryland's recovered from a frustrating injury earlier in the campaign to help his stock. He's a savvy route-runner with outstanding after-the-catch skills. There's also a lot to like about the progress being made as an in-line blocker.
Expecting miracles from the SMU prospect initially would be unrealistic. However, he's got the athletic traits that are well worth taking a chance on.
Commanders draft Dylan Sampson
- Running Back | Tennessee Volunteers
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 202
The recent injuries to Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler highlight the need for three productive running backs within Kliff Kingsbury's system. Jeremy McNichols is serviceable enough, but Adam Peters could easily go with a younger option with one of his late-round draft selections.
It's also worth remembering that Robinson and Ekeler are both out of contract in 2026. They've formed a prolific tandem when firing on all cylinders. However, the Commanders need to find a contingency plan for every eventuality.
Dylan Sampson fits the bill. The Tennesee prospect is a dynamic runner with elite-level speed. Once he gets into the open field, a big gain typically follows.
Sampson's shouldered a hefty load for the Volunteers this season, gaining 1,307 rushing yards and an astonishing 22 touchdowns from 231 touches. He's also demonstrating improvements in the passing game to further bolster his stock.
He's undersized for a typical NFL starting running back and Sampson's pass protection is nowhere near the level needed. But if the Commanders want in this direction, Kingsbury should be able to find ways to maximize his exceptional gifts.
Commanders draft Francisco Mauigoa
- Linebacker | Miami Hurricanes
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 234
The Commanders could be looking for another young linebacker this offseason. Jordan Magee's promising offseason was derailed by injury and he's slowly working his way into the rotation. The cupboard is relatively bare aside from that behind the production starting tandem of Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner.
Washington also faces a dilemma with Wagner, who's out of contract and aging. The future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer is playing well enough for a new deal. Whether he wants to put his body through another grueling campaign hasn't been confirmed.
It wouldn't hurt to examine Francisco Mauigoa's athletic credentials in greater detail. He's got three seasons of accomplished starting experience with the Miami Hurricanes. There's a high-level work ethic attached to the player and enough instincts to get around the football consistently.
Mauigoa doesn't offer much from a pass-rushing standpoint. He also needs to identify play development quicker once he gets to the pros. That said, he looks like a solid Day 3 pick who could contribute on special teams immediately.