Commanders draft Treydan Stukes
- Cornerback | Arizona Wildcats
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 147
The Washington Commanders' cornerback room was expected to be a significant strength in 2025. Unfortunately, it became a weak link, with injuries and poor performance levels causing their demise almost from the outset.
Trading for Marshon Lattimore was a risk worth taking at the time, but it hasn't panned out. The four-time Pro Bowler was a prime candidate for release even before his arrest. It seems like a done deal now with $18.5 million in savings and no dead cap money attached.
Second-round rookie Trey Amos showed promise. Mike Sainristil remains a feast-or-famine cornerback whose strongest position is unclear. One couldn't say with any confidence that the others will be back, so addressing this position group in free agency and the draft is crucial.
If someone like Treydan Stukes is still around at this stage of the draft, it's something to ponder. He's a long cornerback who thrives in press coverage. The Arizona product is a fluid mover, able to mirror receivers effectively downfield and make contested catches difficult. Once he adds a little extra muscle mass to his frame, he could be a potential rough diamond for whoever drafts him.
Commanders draft Deion Burks
- Wide Receiver | Oklahoma Sooners
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 155
With David Blough replacing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who shockingly left the franchise after a disagreement with head coach Dan Quinn over how best to take the offense forward, changes to the playing personnel seem almost guaranteed. This all starts with providing quarterback Jayden Daniels with the weapons needed to thrive moving forward.
Obviously, it's a fluid situation. Nobody knows the scheme Blough plans to run. Nobody knows which players are going to be acquired in free agency. But it would be surprising if the Commanders didn't add another explosive receiver at some stage during the draft.
Someone like Deion Burks comes with more upside than most at this stage of the process. He's not the biggest or most physically imposing, but he gets open quickly and can be a supreme threat after the catch if schemed around correctly.
The Oklahoma prospect has outstanding on-field vision with the explosiveness needed to exploit gaps. Burks is also a solid scheme navigator, exploiting soft zones frequently to make things easier for his quarterback.
If veteran All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. leaves in free agency, which seems possible, the Commanders will need someone like Burks to possibly fill the void.