Commanders draft TreVeyon Henderson
- Running Back | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 61
There's a growing belief that the Washington Commanders will spend one of their early draft selections on the running back position. Adam Peters hasn't made any serious moves to bolster his backfield during the offseason yet. This could change with a deep group of prospects emerging from the college ranks.
The Commanders relied too heavily on quarterback Jayden Daniels to gain yards on the ground as the campaign went on. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler dealt with injury issues and poor performance levels. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are serviceable, but neither moves the needle much in the grand scheme of things.
TreVeyon Henderson would be a difficult proposition to turn down if he made it to No. 61 overall. The Ohio State standout is a compact runner with smooth contact balance. He's a supreme red-zone threat thanks to his physicality and vision. There's also a lot to like about his improvements in the passing game to further raise intrigue.
Henderson runs with urgency and leaves everything out on the field. This is the sort of character Dan Quinn and Adam Peters coveted heavily during their first draft. It's also a reason why the prospect is emerging into a decent pass protector when the situation dictates.
The Commanders need a long-term backfield threat to take the pressure off Daniels. Henderson could be the guy.
Commanders draft Jonas Sanker
- Safety | Virginia Cavaliers
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 128
It's not hard to see why the Washington Commanders have taken an interest in Jonas Sanker during the pre-draft assessment process. There are other options and more pressing needs, but the Virginia prospect is an intriguing addition if available on Day 3.
The Commanders decided to let Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency. His contribution last season was impressive, galvanizing his career after being cast aside by the Carolina Panthers. However, Adam Peters decided he wasn't worth what the Las Vegas Raiders were offering.
Will Harris joined Washington on a two-year deal to replace Chinn. But with Percy Butler entering the final year of his deal and Tyler Owens remaining an unknown quantity, acquiring another high-upside safety is something the Commanders should consider.
Sanker ticks those boxes. He's an imposing presence against the run, displaying the physicality and superb tackling technique that look well-suited to Dan Quinn's defensive demands. He's also versatile, boasting experience on the backend or as a nickel cornerback.
There's a chance Sanker is gone by the time Washington goes on the clock in the fourth round. If the defensive back can become a little more fluid in his movements, especially in coverage, someone is going to have a tremendous player on their hands.