With the Philadelphia Eagles win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, the offseason is officially here. That means we have now entered draft season.
The Washington Commanders hold the No. 29 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This is the first time in decades they've held a selection this low down the pecking order.
There are several different directions Adam Peters and the front office can go with their seven picks. Even with the unbelievable franchise-altering season that saw the Commanders climb the ladder to the NFC Championship game, the roster still has several glaring holes.
Commanders solve two complex riddles in Matt Miller's latest mock draft
Matt Miller from ESPN found two potential difference-makers for the Commanders in his latest mock draft. The first gave Washington a dynamic edge rushing weapon in the form of James Pearce Jr.
The pass rushing was one of the Commanders' biggest struggles in 2024. Dan Quinn does a great job at getting the best out of his edge rushers. Dante Fowler Jr. securing double-digit sacks is a testament to that.
However, that does not mean that Peters should shy away from going for a star edge rusher. That is exactly what Pearce could be with a smooth transition.
Pearce has a smaller frame for an edge rusher, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 243 pounds. This is arguably the biggest worry surrounding his chances at the next level.
The Tennessee prospect broke out in 2023 and built on that performance this season. Pearce ended the campaign with 55 pressures, eight sacks, and 25 tackles. He earned an 87.2 grade from Pro Football Focus thanks to his sterling efforts.
Pearce has superb athleticism, which is a big reason why he is such an explosive player. His initial burst off the line makes offensive tackles throw their stance out of the window. This allows him to be a step ahead from the start.
He is not just a pass rusher either. Pearce is also a stellar run defender.
The Chambers High School product is the definition of a well-rounded pass rusher and would be an immediate impact player for the Commanders' defense. His football IQ is off the charts, allowing him to process what the offense is doing to give him an advantage. Tasks like sniffing out screens are easy for Pearce.
If you liked Dallas Turner as a prospect in 2023, you will like Pearce. He displays a lot of the same strengths and talents.
Miller's second selection for the Commanders added another weapon on offense. The choice was wide receiver Tre Harris.
It's no secret that the wide receiver room past Terry McLaurin is subpar. Dyami Brown had a great performance in the playoffs, but he is due for a new contract. Even if he is brought back, the former third-round pick is not the long-term answer at WR2.
If Peters strikes out on getting a premier receiver like Tee Higgins in free agency, he must utilize a top pick to get a good compliment for McLaurin. Taking some of the focus off of the second-team All-Pro will not only help him out but also give Daniels a significant boost.
Harris would be a great option to fit this role. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds — a great frame for his playing style.
In just eight games played, Harris had 60 catches for 1,030 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. This season earned him an 89.8 overall Pro Football Focus grade.
The Ole Miss prospect is a much different prototype receiver than McLaurin, which could be a good thing. He is a big-bodied wideout with great hands and is very strong at the catch point. This makes him a huge red-zone threat.
He is also a big deep threat with his ball-tracking abilities. Harris proved in college he can handle a large target share. That's only going to help his stock when the time comes.
There is some concern with Harris' athleticism and ability to stay healthy. Peters must determine if these are weaknesses that the Commanders can teach him to overcome.
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