Adam Peters and Dan Quinn are among the key Washington Commanders in attendance for the NFL Scouting Combine. This is one of the most important assessment events on the draft schedule and has become a hotbed for other transactions in recent years.
The most important thing is the prospects looking to take their chances at the next level.
Peters and Quinn will be narrowing down their shortlist through countless hours of studying tape and interviewing individuals to find out more about their character. This was high on their list of priorities last time around, which resulted in the Commanders boasting a league-leading draft class under the new regime.
Dozens upon dozens of draft hopefuls will meet with the Commanders between now and the selection event commencing. Needs will change depending on free agency. There is a lot for Peters and his front-office staff to get through, but the franchise is in the best possible hands at long last.
Commanders schedule formal interview with running back Ashton Jeanty
One name caused more buzz than most. Ryan Fowler from The Draft Network reported that the Commanders have scheduled a formal interview with Ashton Jeanty, the running back phenom who took college football by storm in 2024.
Jeanty is among the best players in this class regardless of position. His production over the last two years at Boise State was nothing short of jaw-dropping, bulldozing everyone in his path and reaching immense heights en route to second place in the Heisman Trophy voting.
After accumulating 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns with the Broncos last season, he comes into the assessment phase among the most talked-about players in the draft. Jeanty is coming across well during interviews according to Jordan Schultz from FOX Sports. That's not going to make Washington's life easier if Peters decides to go after the backfield threat.
The Commanders are picking lower down the order than fans are used to after a memorable run to the NFC Championship game. Peters has to watch things unfold in front of him at No. 29 overall. Trading up cannot be dismissed if there's legitimate conviction in one prospect. Going up for a running back — no matter how talented Jeanty is — doesn't seem likely.
Talking to Jeanty is nothing more than due diligence right now. The Commanders will do the same with other prospects before deciding on any further action. The dynamic back is projected to go in the first 10-to-20 picks, which makes it a non-starter from Washington's perspective.
Nothing cannot be dismissed at this juncture. It probably won't be Jeanty, but the Commanders will add another running back to their offensive options at some point this offseason. It is also a deep draft class for Peters to achieve this objective.
Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler's injuries and regression as the campaign wore on dictate the need for more explosivity in the backfield. That might not come in the first round. However, there's nothing to suggest Peters cannot find an immediate impact player with one of his later selections.
Jeanty is going to be the first running back taken. He'll also go before Washington is on the clock. Peters will have a big decision to make if he believes this can be the game-changer to get Washington's offense over the hump.