Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
The Washington Commanders didn't hide their feelings about Sonny Styles throughout the pre-draft process. Adam Peters spoke glowingly of the Ohio State product, but he also didn't think there was much hope of him being available at No. 7 overall.
That changed when Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate both went in the top four picks. The landscape shifted dramatically, and Styles was the no-brainer choice when he fell into the Commanders' lap.
Styles is athletic and intelligent, and can impact the game across all phases. The Commanders' linebacking corps now looks like a real strength, but the incoming rookie's arrival turns up the heat on Frankie Luvu to return to the form that saw him earn second-team All-Pro honors in 2024.
Luvu regressed last season, but it wasn't all his fault. He was asked to play on the edge, which didn't suit him. Now, Daronte Jones is planning to move him back to an off-ball role, and he must produce alongside Styles in a contract year.
Luke McCaffrey - Commanders WR
The firepower around Jayden Daniels needed to be enhanced at some stage during the draft. Adam Peters invested heavily in the defense over free agency, but analysts were concerned about the lack of legitimate productivity around the dynamic quarterback heading into a critical third campaign.
Daniels cannot do it alone. One only has to look at the injuries suffered last season to see what can happen when he's forcing the issue. When the Commanders went with linebacker Sonny Styles in the first round, a wide receiver had to be the pick in the third.
Antonio Williams was the guy at No. 71. He's a slot specialist with inside-out versatility. He's a smooth route-runner with assured hands and elusiveness after the catch. This should immediately help, but what it means for Luke McCaffrey moving forward is anyone's guess.
McCaffrey also does his best work from the slot, though the Commanders have been reluctant to get him heavily involved in the offensive rotation over his first two years. A massive summer awaits, and Williams' arrival will not make things any easier.
Rachaad White - Commanders RB
The Commanders never had a chance of landing running back Jeremiyah Love, who went to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall. Adam Peters probably knew that was always going to be a pipedream, but he managed to find a little bit more value lower down the board.
After a long wait for backfield assistance, the Commanders took Kaytron Allen. He does have some limitations, and he is not a home-run threat by any stretch of the imagination. However, the Penn State product is a powerful runner with the patience and vision to gain the hard yards on early downs.
Washington's backfield now looks pretty crowded. Allen joins Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jerome Ford, Jeremy McNichols, and free-agent signing Rachaad White. Not everyone will make the team, but Jayden Daniels' old teammate at Arizona State has much higher stakes.
White bet on himself this offseason, but he can ill afford any lost snaps to the likes of Allen if he wants to earn a longer stay wth the Commanders beyond 2026.
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