The Washington Commanders have a longer wait than usual before they go on the clock to begin their 2025 NFL Draft exploits. Adam Peters will have a plethora of prospects and scenarios in place, including the possibility of trading down from No. 29 overall to bolster the five selections at his disposal currently.
One respected NFL Draft analyst presented a scenario that would represent a difficult proposition to turn down.
Washington's margin for error during the draft is gone. Peters' frantic trade activity in recent months significantly depleted his resources, although it helps the Commanders in their quest to get over the hump much sooner than expected.
The front office and scouting department have worked tirelessly to finalize their draft board. Picking the right prospects could make a huge difference. And expectations are high after the Commanders defied the odds to reach the NFC Championship game last season.
Fans are confident Peters will make the correct calls. He got fantastic early returns from his first draft class in Washington, which centered on finding a franchise quarterback in the sensational Jayden Daniels. Some needs are greater than others, but there's also some flexibility about what the Commanders can do when push comes to shove.
Commanders take Jahdae Barron in Daniel Jeremiah's final mock draft
Daniel Jeremiah from NFL.com threw a curveball for the Commanders at No. 29. The analyst thought Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron could be available, despite his rising projections. This would give Washington another valuable, versatile defensive back capable of playing almost anywhere in the secondary.
"This is a case of a team staying put and watching a value pick fall to it. I have [Jahdae] Barron much higher in my rankings. He and 2024 second-round pick Mike Sainristil are two guys Washington could move all over the field."Daniel Jeremiah
Barron is highly regarded by front-office personnel and league scouts. He's coming off a sensational campaign with the Longhorns, earning a 90.7 Pro Football Focus grade for his sensational efforts. The prospect backed this up with a starring effort at the NFL Scouting Combine, ranking second in both production and overall scores among participating cornerbacks. More importantly, the tape backs this up.
While Barron is a little undersized, he never demonstrates weakness on the field. He's accomplished in coverage, is a relentless tackler, and never backs down from a challenge. That's what attracted the Commanders to Mike Sainristil, the No. 50 pick last year who had a rookie campaign to remember.
The Commanders don't have a great need at cornerback right now, but one more boundary option to go alongside Sainristil, Marshon Lattimore, Noah Igbinoghene, and Jonathan Jones wouldn't hurt. Whether Barron fits into their plans remains to be seen, but it could be a gift considering he's being projected as a top 15 selection by most analysts.
Peters wants to take the best prospects available regardless of need. Barron might be exactly that if he makes it down to No. 29.