Commanders draft Akheem Mesidor
- Edge Rusher | Miami Hurricanes
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 46
It's no secret that the Washington Commanders are crying out for better edge-rushing options this offseason. Dorance Armstrong Jr. was the only one who offered any legitimate hope for the future, and he finished the season on injured reserve. The rest are either rotational pieces or aging veterans who won't be back in 2026. Adam Peters must give this pivotal area of the field the attention it deserves this time around.
Several new options would be wise. The Commanders have the money to find one in free agency. Adding via the draft is also something to consider, and Akheem Mesidor could be a high-value choice at this stage of the process.
Rueben Bain Jr. gets all the hype on the Miami Hurricanes' defensive front, but Mesidor's stock is soaring. He's played a leading role in their surge to the college football national championship game, displaying a relentless motor and outstanding burst to bend around the edge flawlessly.
The only knock is that Mesidor will be 25 in April. That might put some teams off, but the Commanders should strongly consider the possibility.
Commanders draft Amare Ferrell
- Safety | Indiana Hoosiers
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 71
The Commanders need a complete rethink of the safety position after another underwhelming campaign from the group. In hindsight, letting Jeremy Chinn leave for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency was a grave error in judgment, so what comes next in the defensive backfield cannot be overstated.
Quan Martin's breakout campaign went disastrously. Will Harris was solid enough, but injuries and inconsistencies mean the jury is still out. Jeremy Reaves, Tyler Owens, and Percy Butler look like rotational pieces rather than starters right now.
If the Commanders decide more is needed, which seems almost guaranteed, someone like Amare Ferrell could enter the equation in the third round. He's been a driving force in the Indiana Hoosiers becoming the dominant force in college football this year, displaying the traits that make him a total package capable of influencing proceedings in every phase.
With eight interceptions in two seasons, Ferrell knows what he's doing in coverage. He's also got the size and scope that head coach Dan Quinn looks for in his defensive backs, and the experience he's accumulated this year and last should help him make a smooth transition to the professional ranks.