After entering the season with Super Bowl expectations, the Washington Commanders went 5-12 and missed the playoffs. But for a team that only made five draft selections, the rookie class wasn't too shabby.
First-round offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. was rock-solid after a slow start. Second-round cornerback Trey Amos was coming along nicely before landing on season-ending injured reserve with a fractured fibula. Fourth-round wide receiver Jaylin Lane had two punt return touchdowns, and seventh-round running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a revelation.
Apparently, that still wasn't enough to impress everybody.
Commanders land near the back of CBS Sports' 2025 NFL Draft revisit
CBS Sports' Josh Edwards ranked and regraded every team's 2025 NFL Draft class, and he wasn't terribly fond of the Commanders' selections after their rookie campaigns. Washington was ranked No. 22 among the league's 32 clubs, and he doesn't believe anyone cemented a long-term role.
"Offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. and cornerback Trey Amos solved a few needs for Washington early in the season, but the volatility of rookie performance, specifically at those two positions, set in as the season prolonged. Each can still have long, fruitful careers, but neither secured a long-term role in Year 1."Josh Edwards
Someone clearly didn't watch much Commanders football this year — and to be fair, nobody can blame him. Amos was hurt, and, as mentioned, Conerly made significant progress throughout the year. Neither is exactly a case of hitting the 'rookie wall', so to speak.
Meanwhile, Edwards mentioned Lane and Croskey-Merritt as footnotes, crediting them for providing "a few explosive plays." In the latter's case, it was an awful lot more than a few. He ranked fourth in the league in rushing yards by a rookie with 805, and his eight touchdowns trailed only TreVeyon Henderson of the New England Patriots.
Sixth-round linebacker Kain Medrano is the only nothingburger of the class thus far for Washington, failing to record a single defensive snap. But for someone drafted as late as he was, you're usually only looking for a special teamer, and anything else is a bonus.
Even Medrano made one key play, recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
All in all, there's plenty to be encouraged by in Washington's 2025 class. Conerly, Amos, and Croskey-Merritt are long-term building blocks. Lane and Medrano are at least quality special teamers.
The Commanders have no shortage of roster holes to fill, but the kids are alright.