Adam Peters adopted an aggressive mindset early in the offseason. The Washington Commanders shot for the stars with two bold trades and finding free agents capable of providing short-term assistance. This puts them in a stronger position, but there is one more important event to navigate before attention turns to preparations for the 2025 campaign.
The Commanders don't have many assets heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Trading for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., left tackle Laremy Tunsil, and cornerback Marshon Lattimore cost significant draft capital given their previous production and standing around the league. Peters has five selections as things stand, so he'd probably like to increase that number at some stage.
Whether that involves trading players or moving back in the draft remains to be seen. Peters knows what he's doing and is working towards specific goals. After one season under head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders are probably further ahead than most anticipated, but the team's overall targets remain the same.
Washington is looking to become a perennial contender and an NFL superpower once again. Getting to the NFC Championship game was an unbelievable accomplishment in the circumstances. Ensuring this becomes something sustainable is a much more challenging task.
Another good draft will go a long way to ensuring the Commanders' platform progresses further. Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how Peters might approach his first-round choices in this seven-round mock draft.
We'll begin with a trade-out of the first round.
Commanders 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft featuring trade out of the first round
Commanders move down from No. 29 overall
jackstradedraft
The Washington Commanders believe they can win now. Adam Peters reacted accordingly this offseason, making the moves needed to improve the supporting cast around quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels.
Washington has to maximize Daniels' rookie contract. He's got two more years remaining before the Heisman Trophy winner becomes extension-eligible. If his meteoric rise to superstardom continues, his next contract has the potential to break barriers.
Trading for left tackle Laremy Tunsil could be a game-changer. He gave up a ton of penalties last season but remains one of the league's most accomplished blindside protectors. It costs substantial resources to find elite-level players. But to get the very best, you have to pay.
In this scenario, Peters gets back a couple of picks by striking a trade down with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Commanders got pick No. 36, No. 88, and a second-rounder in 2026. That's arguably the most significant piece of this puzzle as Washington is giving up its second-rounder to the Houston Texans as part of the Tunsil transaction.