Now that the NFL Draft is in the books, teams around the league have already begun signing undrafted free agents to their roster. The Washington Commanders are no exception, and at least one name is an eyebrow-raiser.
Usually, you can be fairly confident that at least one or two UDFAs per team will make a strong impression over the offseason and play their way into contention to make the final 53-man roster. For the Commanders, one of the likeliest candidates has to be wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr.
Why? Well, for starters, he's Jayden Daniels' former college teammate at LSU.
Chris Hilton Jr. gives the Commanders a deep ball threat that Jayden Daniels knows well
On the surface, Hilton's college stats don't look like those of an NFL player. He never recorded more than 243 receiving yards in a season, and he caught only six total touchdowns in five years. But if you think Washington brought him in solely because of his rapport with Daniels, you might want to look a little deeper.
Hilton is an exceptional deep-ball threat, averaging 19 yards per reception throughout his college career. He was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, and was projected by many as a potential Day 3 pick.
His skill set as a receiver is limited, but Hilton could be a potential home-run hitter if his profile translates well to the pros. The Commanders' offense last season lacked explosive plays, and the Louisiana native can use his speed to stretch the field while creating separation from defenders.
Injuries have been a concern for Hilton throughout his college years, holding him back from realizing his potential. But the measurables are there, at least from a speed perspective. He might be a one-trick pony, but he's an elite talent at that one trick.
And, yes, there is the fact that he's familiar with Daniels.
The Commanders are a business-first operation. The players they sign are brought in for the team's best interests, not because they are tight with the star quarterback. That said, a player like Hilton will have his best opportunity to thrive when he's catching passes from someone he knows can get him the ball.
Time will tell whether Hilton ends up having an extended stay in Washington or is simply another camp body. But in an underwhelming wide receiver room, there's an intriguing avenue for him to be the Commanders' latest undrafted success story.
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