Commanders draft Dontay Corleone
- Defensive Line | Cincinnati Bearcats
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 187
The Washington Commanders are projected to switch their defense to a 3-4 base front under new coordinator Daronte Jones. Their decision to keep Daron Payne and sign Tim Settle Jr. gives them a potentially formidable interior trio alongside Javon Kinlaw, but there is scarce depth behind them.
D.J. Davidson and Shy Tuttle are the likeliest candidates right now. That may not be enough, so Adam Peters could identify a potential hidden gem further down the draft for a viable solution in case injury strikes.
That's where Dontay Corleone comes in. He is an immovable object against the run, boasting all the physical size and strength typically associated with productive nose tackles at the next level. His explosiveness to the contact point and high motor for a man his size also make the prospect an intriguing pass-rusher who could catch NFL offensive linemen by surprise.
The Commanders could do far worse than examine Corleone's credentials in greater detail at this stage of the draft.
Commanders draft Adam Randall
- Running Back | Clemson Tigers
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 209
Rumors are still swirling about the Commanders potentially selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 7 overall. He's much more than just a backfield force, which would give quarterback Jayden Daniels the perfect partner in the backfield to take the league by storm.
Unfortunately, Love wasn't available in this scenario. That may also be the case when the draft arrives, given how there are very few elite-level prospects at the top end of this class. If the Commanders miss out, there are several other decent options in the later rounds that warrant consideration.
A chance is taken on Adam Randall here. He's a former four-star wide receiver recruit who transitioned to running back effectively. He's incredibly raw, having only spent one season as a running back at Clemson. But he's a dual-threat who could become much more if given the correct time to develop.
Commanders draft Bryce Boettcher
- Linebacker | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 223
The Commanders could select a linebacker much higher than this, especially given how complementary Adam Peters was of Ohio State prospect Sonny Styles at the annual league meeting. There isn't the biggest need with free-agent signing Leo Chenal joining Frankie Luvu and Jordan Magee, so finding some extra value lower down the order should also be considered.
If the Commanders wait until their final selection, someone like Bryce Boettcher represents a potential late-round steal. He's got immediate rotational upside and special teams capabilities. The Oregon standout has below-average size, but he's a downhill force who can tackle effectively.
Don't let Boettcher's size fool you, either. He's compact and physical, often proactively seeking contact and quick to the ball carrier. The coverage in zone systems is decent enough, so this is a low-risk gamble with high-end upside if the prospect makes it this far down the pecking order.
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