Commanders draft Derrick Harmon
- Defensive Line | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 29
The Washington Commanders are preparing for life without Jonathan Allen. His trade request was granted by the franchise heading into the final year of his deal. It's the right time, even if it leaves a gaping hole on the field and in the locker room.
Allen's production waned over the last two years, but his leadership remained exceptional. The Commanders have Daron Payne and Johnny Newton to pick up the slack, which won't be enough if Washington wants to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles moving forward.
With the Commanders finding their No. 2 wideout via trade, general manager Adam Peters would probably like to trade down from No. 29 overall. The talent drops off after the first 15 picks and the value can be found later. Moving back for extra capital is something the front-office leader will strongly consider if the right offer comes along.
This is a deep draft class for defensive linemen if the Commanders want to find a long-term replacement for Allen. Derrick Harmon is gaining momentum at the right time. His display of athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine cemented his status as a first-round possibility.
The testing matches Harmon's tape, which is always important. He's disruptive and makes plays consistently against double teams. But again, trading back is the preferred option.
Commanders draft Jonah Savaiinaea
- Offensive Line | Arizona Wildcats
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 61
If the Commanders want to compete with the Eagles and go toe-to-toe with their division rivals, they must fortify the trenches. This became a glaring reason behind their demise in the NFC Championship game and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
The offensive line should get more tweaks. Their starting five performed well when healthy, but the wear and tear took its toll as the campaign wore on. Depth was a major issue, especially on the interior. That won't have gone unnoticed by Adam Peters during his roster assessment.
With stud right guard Sam Cosmi set to miss most if not all of the 2025 campaign with a torn ACL, Peters needs to pivot accordingly. Free agency will be explored, but Jonah Savaiinaea comes with enough promise to warrant consideration if he's still available in the second round.
Savaiinaea spent most of his college career as an offensive tackle but projects to be a better interior presence in the pros. He's a master at gaining leverage and keeping it, making him a difficult proposition to overcome in pass protection. His strong upper body and wide base allow him to hold his own against the run for good measure.
Whether it's on the edge or at one of the guard spots, Savaiinaea is a potential day-one starter with long-term upside.