Commanders draft Princely Umanmielen
- Edge Rusher | Ole Miss Rebels
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 61
It's no secret that the Washington Commanders need another explosive edge rusher capable of generating pressure consistently. The options available currently are serviceable, but head coach Dan Quinn needs an extra injection of energy to add something different.
This won't go unnoticed by general manager Adam Peters as part of his comprehensive assessments. The Commanders improved against the run with some useful veteran additions in free agency, but that won't be enough.
Princely Umanmielen ticks the boxes of what the Commanders are missing. He's got the talent and physical profile to make a smooth transition to the pros. He's also got the college production that backs up his claims of being among the best pass-rushers in this year's class.
His combination of speed, power, and length makes him a nightmare to counteract once early momentum is generated. Umanmielen has enough agility to bend around the edge with the initial quickness that catches opposing offensive tackles off guard.
Improving his play strength to be more impactful against the run will help his cause. The Ole Miss prospect has the scope for growth, and his outstanding leadership and strong football IQ make him a great locker-room fit in this scenario.
The Commanders could do a lot worse than examine Umanmielen's credentials if he's available at this juncture.
Commanders draft Cameron Williams
- Offensive Tackle | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 85
Another trade down, this time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an extra pick this year and next. It's a smart strategy, especially considering how much the Commanders gave up to acquire Marshon Lattimore, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Laremy Tunsil.
The Commanders' offensive line got a substantial boost with Tunsil. He's one of the league's premier pass protectors with plenty of good football left. Getting his penalties down is the big objective, but the five-time Pro Bowler represents a significant upgrade on anything Washington's had on the blindside since Trent Williams.
That said, the Commanders could spend one of their early selections on a long-term right tackle. Brandon Coleman will get a shot at the job, but he might be best suited to the interior when it's all said and done. Andrew Wylie is in the final year of his deal, so contingency plans must be made. As we all know, Peters is always thinking two steps ahead.
Anyone who's read my mock drafts throughout the cycle knows how high I am on Cameron Williams. The Texas prospect has everything one looks for in a starting-caliber edge protector in the pros. He's a work in progress, but his ceiling is through the roof if he puts everything together.
Getting the chance to learn from Washington's accomplished coaching staff and someone with Tunsil's credentials could see improvements arrive quickly.