Commanders drafted Trey Amos
- Cornerback | Ole Miss Rebels
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 61
Adam Peters had one more big chance to extract decent capital by moving back. That came with the No. 61 overall pick later in the second round.
Offers were made, but Peters stood pat again. He felt ending Trey Amos' draft slide would be much more beneficial to the Washington Commanders' short and long-term aspirations.
Amos was projected as a first-round pick be some analysts. The Commanders considered taking him at No. 29 before Josh Conerly Jr. fell into their lap. Just why he fell so far after that is anyone's guess, but this has all the makings of a potential steal if everything goes according to plan.
The former Ole Miss standout is a tall, physical cornerback who thrives in press coverage. This is the exact sort of presence Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. typically look for in their defensive backs. This is also a tremendous fit for the player, whose development will be aided by Washington's coaches and some experienced figures within the unit.
It's not about the journey, it's about the destination for Amos. There are far worse situations he could have landed in. And for the Commanders, it could allow them to move Mike Sainristil back to his specialist position in the nickel.
- Draft grade: A
That's a win-win for everybody.
Commanders drafted Jaylin Lane
- Wide Receiver | Virginia Tech Hokies
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 128
The Commanders wanted to make sure Jayden Daniels' rookie exploits could be sustained. Adam Peters prioritized every level of the offense around Washington's prized possession throughout the offseason, so it was no surprise to see him add another wide receiver into the mix during the draft.
Jaylin Lane is a local prospect from Virginia Tech with plenty of playmaking ability. He looks more than capable of filling the void left by Olamide Zaccheaus, although the likes of Luke McCaffrey and Michael Gallup will also be striving for important roles on the rotation.
There are concerns about whether Lane's small stature will cause complications in the pros. Scheming things up effectively is paramount, which is where Kliff Kingsbury comes into play.
The Commanders have a couple of receivers who can make things happen when the football comes out quickly. Deebo Samuel Sr. is one. Lane is the other, which isn't a bad problem to have by any stretch of the imagination.
- Draft grade: B
Another potential use for Lane comes on special teams. He's flashed real promise as a punt returner in college. Based on Larry Izzo's reaction to the pick in Washington's war room, it's something he plans to take advantage of right out of the gate.