Adam Peters wants to build through the draft and supplement any remaining needs through free agency. That's the correct approach, although it might alter slightly considering how the Washington Commanders opened their Super Bowl window much sooner than anticipated.
It was a phenomenal start for head coach Dan Quinn. The Commanders won 12 regular-season games and secured a wild-card spot. Two memorable postseason triumphs on the road versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions saw Washington reach the NFC Championship game.
Their fairytale run fell short after defeat to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, but the Commanders achieved far more than even the greatest optimist envisaged. Now, it's up to Peters and his staff to make the moves needed to make this early success sustainable.
The Commanders are well-positioned to strengthen. They have more than enough salary-cap space to attract the right individuals and are a hotbed destination once again. Peters also has seven draft selections despite having to give up capital to acquire cornerback Marshon Lattimore via trade before the deadline.
Peters' options are endless and nothing should be off the table right now. Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders might approach their 2025 NFL Draft selections in our latest seven-round mock.
Commanders 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft brings depth and quality
Commanders draft Nic Scourton
- Edge Rusher | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 29
If the Washington Commanders want to keep up with the Philadelphia Eagles next season and beyond, they must bolster their trenches on both sides of the football. Building from the inside out is an achievable objective for Adam Peters this offseason.
The Commanders are picking lower than most anticipated. It's a strange feeling being so far down the pecking order, which could make Washington's first-round pick expendable in a trade if the right opportunity presents itself. Peters could also decide to move down in pursuit of additional assets or up for a prospect of interest. It's all about playing the board effectively.
Adding to the pass-rush is desirable. This is also a deep draft class for edge rushers and defensive linemen that won't go unnoticed by Peters.
If Nic Scourton is still around at this juncture, the Commanders could do far worse than look in his direction. The Texas A&M prospect has a unique blend of size, explosiveness, and length. His production took a slight dip last season, but he's got the physical profile to be dominant with a little extra refinement technically.
This would be a tremendous landing spot for Scourton. Whether he'll be around when Washington goes on the clock is another matter.