Things have changed for the Washington Commanders this offseason. Their remarkable run to the NFC Championship game last time around raised expectations to levels not seen for decades. Adam Peters is working hard to ensure these newfound goals are reached.
Nobody expected the Commanders to find themselves in the final four last season. Head coach Dan Quinn's sensational culture shift, Peters' outstanding roster construction, and quarterback Jayden Daniels' immediate surge to superstardom provided the spark that woke a sleeping giant.
It was a fairytale. At the same time, NFL history is littered with one-year success stories that cannot be sustained.
Peters knows what it takes to build a sustainable powerhouse. He's been in Super Bowl-winning front offices. He was also a driving force in the San Francisco 49ers' rise from relative obscurity into legitimate contention. As a result, the Commanders are in the best possible hands.
The Commanders were aggressive this offseason. Bold trades for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and left tackle Laremy Tunsil cemented their win-now mentality to maximize Daniels' rookie contract. This should help immensely, but it leaves Peters short of assets heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
Washington has five picks available. That makes it more difficult for Peters. However, he can probably get this number up by moving down at some stage.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders could approach their selections in our latest seven-round mock draft.
Commanders trade down from No. 29 overall after deal with the Chiefs
Adam Peters is respected around the league. He's not only a shrewd talent evaluator, but the front-office leader is also a supreme negotiator where trades are concerned.
The Washington Commanders have benefitted significantly from Peters' controlled aggression. He's always got the team's best interests at the forefront and maintains future flexibility. Peters was the right man to lead this ambitious project, but it'll be interesting to see how he approaches the draft with only five picks available currently.
Peters didn't rule anything out, including giving up more picks. That seems unlikely, but it's a waiting game for fans with the Commanders picking much further down the pecking order than anyone expected at No. 29 overall.
In this scenario, a deal is struck with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Commanders move back a couple of spots in exchange for the No. 95 overall pick and a third-rounder in 2026. Considering the compensation it took to acquire left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans, adding to next year's stock is only going to help Washington's cause.
Commanders draft Donovan Ezeiruaku
- Edge Rusher | Boston College Eagles
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 31
The Washington Commanders need more explosiveness within their edge-rushing unit. Those acquired in free agency are dependable pros, but they're not going to strike fear into opposing offensive lines by any stretch of the imagination.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. is one starter at defensive end. Deatrich Wise Jr. could fill the other void, but Clelin Ferrell being re-signed indicates those in power have faith in the former Clemson star despite a mundane contribution during the 2024 campaign.
If the Commanders can move back and still find someone like Donovan Ezeiruaku available, it would be a difficult proposition to turn down. The Boston College prospect isn't the most physically imposing, but his dynamism and versatility are traits Dan Quinn typically looks for in his edge rushers.
Ezeiruaku has been a fast riser throughout the pre-draft assessment process. His blend of speed, power, and bend could be a major asset with a smooth transition. The Commanders could move him around to exploit mismatches, but there is some work ahead regarding gap discipline against the run.
There's a chance Ezeiruaku goes much higher than this, given recent reports. If not, the Commanders should seriously consider the possibility of bringing him into the fold.
Something that would provide Washington's pass-rush with a sense of energy that was sorely lacking at times in 2024.
Commanders draft TreVeyon Henderson
- Running Back | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 61
Adam Peters opted to hold firm with their running back options this offseason. That was a big vote of confidence to those who gave so much to the cause in 2024. However, it shouldn't stop the Commanders from identifying another supreme backfield threat with one of their early selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This is projected to be a deep running back class. Ashton Jeanty leads the way, but he'll be off the board long before the Commanders go on the clock at No. 29 overall. Even so, there's a good chance Peters can still find a prospect capable of making an impact from the moment he steps onto the field a little lower down the pecking order.
Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are heading into the final year of their respective deals. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are still around, but they're not going to move the needle all that much.
TreVeyon Henderson can. The Ohio State prospect is a patient, powerful runner with enough speed to exploit the smallest creases. There's a relentless energy to his approach that's hard not to love, something that would fit well into the Commanders' culture shift.
Henderson is a smooth pass-catcher out of the backfield. This is a three-down force in the pros who'd become Jayden Daniels' best friend in no time at all.
Commanders draft Cameron Williams
- Offensive Tackle | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 94
The Washington Commanders' offensive line made some improvements last season. However, they were found wanting when it counted.
That didn't go unnoticed by Adam Peters. The general manager recognized the need to fortify the trenches on both sides of the football. He went bold to achieve this objective, striking a trade with the Houston Texans for prolific left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
This is a game-changer. Tunsil is among the elite pass protectors, bringing Pro Bowl-caliber credentials to the table in pursuit of giving Jayden Daniels some extra time in the pocket.
The big changes will occur on the right-hand side. Brandon Coleman will start at right tackle, with veteran Andrew Wylie potentially moving inside if the second-year pro adjusts well. That shouldn't stop the Commanders from finding a longer-term contingency plan during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Cameron Williams represents a ton of value here. The Texas prospect boasts rare physical tools with the size and length normally associated with productive edge protectors in the pros. He's a little raw due to his lack of college starting experience, so this represents an intriguing development project for the Commanders, who could potentially pick things up quickly.
Williams has the athletic tools to thrive. At the very least, he'd be a ready-made replacement for Cornelius Lucas in Year 1.
Commanders draft Jacob Parrish
- Cornerback | Kansas State Wildcats
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 128
The Commanders got more than they bargained for with Mike Sainristil. They were confident he could be a decent contributor right out of the gate. He exceeded expectations en route to becoming a potential franchise cornerstone.
Washington has a decent cornerback quartet heading into the draft. Sainristil and four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore lead the way. The Commanders also signed Jonathan Jones, ending his prolific tenure with the New England Patriots that saw two Super Bowls come his way. Noah Igbinoghene re-signed a one-year deal after impressing in flashes last season.
The Commanders could use another option to grow into the rotation. Jacob Parrish looks like a good scheme fit. He's not the biggest, but he plays with the energy and demeanor that resembles Sainristil — albeit with fewer college accomplishments attached.
Parrish is a sound tackler for a man his size. He developed a reputation for generating pressure consistently on blitzes during his time at Kansas State. His footwork is fluid and reacts well to what's going on in front of him when tasked with zone-coverage responsibilities.
If the Commanders plan to keep Sainristil on the boundary moving forward, this would be a potential long-term nickel option. Jones's presence gives Parrish the freedom to develop gradually if he ends up in Washington.
Commanders draft Jack Sawyer
- Edge Rusher | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 205
The Washington Commanders could easily double-dip at the edge rushing spot during the draft despite the limited capital at Adam Peters' disposal. Donovan Ezeiruaku would be a versatile chess piece capable of being moved around in this scenario. Jack Sawyer represents a more prototypical defensive end to bolster the rotation.
Sawyer could go much higher than this. The Ohio State prospect is technically sound. He plays with high-level effort and even higher instincts. There's a lot to like about his ability against the run, using his hand placement and agility to hold a firm edge before pursuing the ball carrier.
He's not the most explosive, and the athletic ceiling isn't particularly high. Even so, Sawyer is a relatively safe bet at the defensive end position with proven college production. He also emerged as a respected leader in the Buckeyes' locker room, which is something the Commanders coveted heavily during Peters' first draft at the helm.
Sawyer wouldn't blow anyone away with his speed. His old-school mentality would slot seamlessly into Washington's culture shift. If he's available here, which does seem highly unlikely all things considered, it might not take long for the Commanders to turn in their card.
Commanders draft Kaden Prather
- Wide Receiver | Maryland Terrapins
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 245
Surrounding quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels with everything needed to excel further was rightfully among the Commanders' biggest offseason priorities. The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is a franchise player. Adam Peters recognized this and pivoted accordingly.
The Commanders got Daniels an elite blindside protector in five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil. They also secured the services of wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., whose production needs no introduction as he looks to form a prolific partnership with Terry McLaurin next season.
Noah Brown and K.J. Osborn were re-signed. The Commanders remain confident that Luke McCaffrey can increase his influence after being brought along gradually as a rookie. Adding another pass-catcher with a high upside during the 2025 NFL Draft is only going to assist Daniels' cause.
There's a chance Washington addresses the wide receiver room much sooner than this. If not, Kaden Prather comes with a physical profile that could offer something different as a long-term development project.
Prather stands 6-foot-3 with the agility to match. He knows how to create advantages through body control and can find the soft spots in zone coverage easily. There's a lot to like about his contested catch prowess, which makes him a potential red-zone weapon for Daniels to utilize with a smooth transition.
The Maryland prospect's lack of top-end speed will hurt his stock, but Prather represents a decent low-risk, high-reward option at this juncture.