Commanders 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft: Changing plans edition
By Dean Jones
Commanders draft Tez Johnson
- Wide Receiver | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 3 | No. 93 overall
Jayden Daniels looks like a superstar. The No. 2 overall selection has the poise, flawless demeanor, and ability to come through in clutch situations. He's the franchise presence that the Washington Commanders have craved for years. Maximizing the window of his rookie contract is crucial.
Terry McLaurin remains an elite-level performer. Luke McCaffrey has potential. But the rest of Washington's wide receiver unit comes with questions about their future beyond the current campaign. Additional reinforcements are needed during the 2025 offseason. Whether it comes through a big splash in free agency or via the draft is another matter.
Someone like Tez Johnson is worth the risk at this stage. He's an electrifying threat with the football in his hands, getting to top speed quickly and emerging as a significant downfield threat at Oregon.
Johnson's size might restrict him to slot duties in the NFL. But the possibilities of how he could be utilized are endless within Kliff Kingsbury's scheme if he's not a head coach somewhere else.
Commanders draft Jihaad Campbell
- Linebacker | Alabama Crimson Tide
- Round No. 4 | No. 131 overall
Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu have become a dominant partnership quickly. The Washington Commanders identified both veteran linebackers as men who could play a leading role in the franchise's renaissance. Their influence on and off the field has been astonishing so far.
The Commanders cannot sit on their hands in pursuit of improvements. They need to solidify depth with only Jordan Magee seen as a long-term option behind the starting duo. It's also worth remembering that Wagner is out of contract next spring, but the future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer should get another deal if he wants one.
Jihaad Campbell has the sideline-to-sideline capabilities and straight-line speed that should fit well into Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s system. The former five-star high school recruit is not the finished product just yet, but he can play a key role on special teams while working on other areas of his game behind Luvu and Wagner in this scenario.
Commanders draft Alfred Collins
- Defensive Tackle | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 6 | No. 184 overall
The Commanders have got some decent production from their defensive tackles since Jonathan Allen went out of the lineup through injury. Fans were concerned about how things would fare on the interior without the team leader. It's gone off without a hitch so far.
Johnny Newton and Phidarian Mathis have taken the mantle impressively. Daron Payne is also firmly establishing himself as an alpha without Allen to lean on. That said, the Commanders could still identify another development project via the draft to further bolster the ranks.
This need becomes more glaring depending on what the future has in store for Allen. Alfred Morris makes a ton of sense here. He's a stout asset against the run with heavy hands and a core base. The prospect is technically flawed and needs to refine his pass-rushing moves, but this looks like a good environment to learn.