Commanders draft Cobee Bryant
- Cornerback | Kansas Jayhawks
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 149
The Washington Commanders need help at the cornerback position despite acquiring Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints before the trade deadline. He's a genuine shutdown presence capable of forming a prolific tandem with rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil. Things are less certain for others on the depth chart.
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. has been released after a brief, underwhelming stint with the franchise. Benjamin St-Juste, Michael Davis, and Noah Igbinoghene are all out of contract with their respective futures under a cloud. The Commanders need additional reinforcements as a matter of urgency if all three depart.
Cobee Bryant represents tremendous value at this juncture. The Kansas prospect is a ballhawk in coverage, anticipating things well and boasting the football IQ needed to make a smooth transition. There is one major concern, which centers on his lack of legitimate size.
Bulking up is essential for Bryant to cope with the rigors of professional football. The Commanders had this problem with Forbes, but spending a Day 3 pick on an undersized defensive back is far different from the No. 16 overall selection Ron Rivera utilized on the former Mississippi State star.
Commanders draft Joey Slackman
- Defensive Line | Florida Gators
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 200
Finding gems in the later rounds is what separates the contending teams from the also-rans. Adam Peters is the right man to lead the Commanders and is a shrewd evaluator of talent. This stage of the draft is all about finding untapped promise and developing it accordingly.
Joey Slackman fits the bill. The defensive lineman has the athleticism needed to be more impactful. His background in wrestling aids his ability to gain leverage, but this represents a work in progress as a developmental piece capable of turning into something more if everything clicks.
Slackman is a high-energy presence on the line of scrimmage. He anticipates things well and his leadership within the Florida Gators' locker room is reportedly outstanding.
As with most prospects at this stage of the college selection process, Slackman needs to work on specific areas to flourish in the pros. He's raw technically as a pass-rusher. There are also flaws in his tackling and ability to counteract double teams.
Aside from that, there are medical red flags that must be checked out. Slackman dealt with bicep, tricep, and knee issues throughout his time in college. That could hurt his draft stock when it's all said and done.