Securing a postseason berth and making some noise in the knockout rounds are the short-term objectives for the Washington Commanders. General manager Adam Peters and his staff will be thinking further afield with the offseason looming.
The Commanders are ahead of schedule whether they make the playoffs or not. Most anticipated a transitional year under the new regime. Head coach Dan Quinn's culture shift has galvanized this previously downtrodden organization to heights not witnessed for years.
This is just the start, which is the most exciting thing of all for fans. Peters is loaded with salary-cap space to sign free agents. Reports also suggest Washington will become a coveted destination once again without Dan Snyder's dark cloud hanging over the franchise.
Peters also has seven draft selections at his disposal. This is his preferred method of roster building. It's cheaper with longer-term upside — something that allows each prospect to grow alongside rookie sensation Jayden Daniels.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders could use their picks in this seven-round mock draft.
Commanders 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft entering Week 16
Commanders draft Luther Burden III
- Wide Receiver | Missouri Tigers
- Round No. 1 | No. 22 overall
If the Washington Commanders want to maximize Jayden Daniels' rookie contract, they must surround the signal-caller with more productive weapons in the passing game. Terry McLaurin cannot do it alone and stopgaps are not enough.
Luther Burden III represents tremendous value if he makes it this far down the pecking order. The wide receiver was projected as a top-10 selection before a down year by his typically high standards at Missouri. However, his explosive traits should transition well from college to the pros.
Burden is a smooth route runner with dynamic yards-after-the-catch tendencies. Once the wideout improves his technique and learns how to get open in press coverage situations more effectively, someone is going to have a real player on their hands.
Pairing Burden with McLaurin gives the Commanders a potentially potent wide-receiver duo for Daniels to call upon.