The Washington Commanders don't have many picks heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Making the most of them is critical, given that Adam Peters doesn't have many shots to take.
One esteemed NFL insider swung the door open for Washington to make a first-round choice that will cause some serious (and divisive) debate among the fanbase.
There are some needs greater than others. Peters is keeping everything on the table, including the potential to move up or down the order depending on how things shake out. It's a strange, long wait for Commanders' fans before they go on the clock at No. 29 overall, but the front-office leader has already been working the phones this week to get a better lay of the land.
Peter Schrager from ESPN has also been doing the same. He does one mock draft every cycle, basing his projections on countless texts and messages with league personnel. And he's typically more right than wrong.
Commanders projected to draft edge rusher Shemar Stewart at No. 29
Schrager had the Commanders taking Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart at No. 29. This would be a major risk considering his lack of legitimate college production, but his ability against the run could make this a risk worth taking.
"[Shemar] Stewart slipping this far? It could happen. He'd make a lot of sense for the Commanders given how their run defense performed in the NFC Championship Game."Peter Schrager
Stewart is a tough evaluation. The prospect boasts every athletic intangible imaginable, which was reflected in his exceptional testing at the NFL Scouting Combine. At the same time, this represents a huge bet on his production eventually matching the physical profile when he gets to the pros.
There's a good chance Stewart is gone by the time Washington goes on the clock. Teams are always willing to bet on athletic intangibles becoming something more. What the Commanders must figure out is how much he'd be able to help immediately with the newfound urgency and raised expectations attached to the franchise.
The Commanders are ready to win right now. Their moves this offseason dictate as much, acquiring wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and left tackle Laremy Tunsil via trade. This was the right approach after a memorable run to the NFC Championship game.
They need help immediately. They need someone who can wreak havoc in opposing backfields from the moment he steps onto the field. With 4.5 sacks in three college seasons, Stewart represents a boom or bust selection in no uncertain terms.
It's too big a risk. One that could end up in disaster for the Commanders. But if Peters does end up choosing Stewart, fans will have complete faith in his judgment. He's earned that and more after transforming the team's fortunes in the blink of an eye.
Stewart's ceiling is high once he puts everything together. His floor is extremely low in the wrong fit or without the correct development.
Risky business, indeed. But sometimes, with high risk comes high reward.
Time will tell…