Adam Peters didn't think too much of the draft picks made by previous head coach Ron Rivera. He'd never say it publicly, but actions speak louder than words.
Peters decimated the roster this offseason. There was no consideration for previous status or draft standing. If they weren't a good fit or not displaying the right qualities, they were moved on with little fanfare attached. The Washington Commanders are in a much better spot, although it's a damning indictment of Rivera's evaluation techniques and his inability to find the right prospects from the college ranks.
Another example of this came during Washington's final cuts. Several draft picks were removed from the equation. Ricky Stromberg - a former third-round selection who endured an injury-plagued rookie campaign - was waived after failing to impress the new regime this offseason.
Stromberg was another swing and a miss from Rivera. Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have and some of these were taken much later than No. 97 overall, but here are five players the Commanders could have drafted instead with better evaluation infrastructure in place.
Players the Commanders could have drafted over Ricky Stromberg
Commanders could have drafted Anthony Bradford
- Offensive Line | No. 109 overall
Ron Rivera was in desperate need of offensive line help during the 2023 NFL Draft. Instead of using his first two selections on finding a blue-chip prospect, he used them on defensive backs. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is facing an uncertain future after one season. Quan Martin showed promise and has a much brighter future attached.
Ricky Stromberg was the first offensive lineman taken by the Washington Commanders. Looking at the way his career quickly disintegrated before his inevitable release, someone like Anthony Bradford represented a better option.
Bradford went to the Seattle Seahawks and played prominent reps throughout the campaign. There is some work to do as a run blocker. That said, there's a lot to like about his ability as a pass protector. Giving up just one sack in 659 offensive snaps is a testament to his relatively smooth transition.
The former LSU star looks set to start the 2024 season at right guard. Bradford would have been a better option for the Commanders. Rivera thought he knew better.
Commanders could have drafted Jake Moody
- Kicker | No. 99 overall
The Washington Commanders have had their fair share of kicking problems in recent years. Ron Rivera kept faith with Joey Slye for too long and paid the price. Brandon McManus' release soon after signing in free agency means this is a problem area that could hold the team back in 2024.
Ramiz Ahmed and Riley Patterson couldn't meet the required standard. The Commanders made a low-risk trade for Cade York, but he didn't kick at all in 2023 after a rapid freefall following an impressive start to his rookie campaign.
Considering how things turned out with Ricky Stromberg, the Commanders could easily have taken Jake Moody instead and been in a better spot. Selecting a kicker this high in the draft is a luxury saved for contending teams like the San Francisco 49ers. This never entered Rivera's head one suspects, but the benefits far outweighed anything the former Arkansas star brought to the table in hindsight.
Moody went through a couple of rookie jitters - especially from beyond 50 yards. But he'd be an instant upgrade on anything the Commanders have churned out at the spot since Dustin Hopkins.
Commanders could have drafted Mekhi Blackmon
- Cornerback | No. 103 overall
Instead of taking two straight defensive backs to begin the 2023 NFL Draft, perhaps Ron Rivera should have taken a balanced approach. He was smitten with Emmanuel Forbes Jr. to his detriment. This blinkered his decision-making process, even when Christian Gonzalez fell from his top 10 projection and into Washington's lap.
Forbes went through another rollercoaster offseason, although the new regime is willing to give him another regular season before deciding on anything more drastic. Had Rivera not become fixated on one prospect and examined the wider pool, Mekhi Blackmon could have entered the equation.
The former USC star went at No. 103 overall to the Minnesota Vikings - shortly after Ricky Stromberg - and immediately flourished. Blackmon got significant responsibilities from defensive coordinator Brian Flores immediately and excelled. It wasn't perfect, but it was far better than Forbes managed to put together during his disastrous first year in a professional environment.
Unfortunately for Blackmon, his positive momentum came screeching to an abrupt halt thanks to a torn ACL suffered during their first session of training camp. He'll miss the entire campaign and faces a long road back to full health. Looking at the player's overall demeanor, he'll tackle this challenge with his customary enthusiasm.
Commanders could have drafted Dawand Jones
- Offensive Tackle | No. 112 overall
The Washington Commanders have been crying out for consistent edge protection on their offensive line. Ron Rivera inherited a highly productive unit but valued position versatility over specialist excellence. It didn't take long for things to unravel and the head coach paid with his job.
Ricky Stromberg was an interior lineman when the need was a developmental offensive tackle who could potentially start with additional refinement. The Commanders ignored this glaring need. Even when they took a college tackle in Braeden Daniels, he was better suited to the interior and became a casualty of the new regime during final cuts.
There are several teams around the league looking at Dawand Jones with a sense of regret. The imposing tackle out of Ohio State was taken by the Cleveland Browns at No. 112 overall and immediately set about silencing his doubters. He gave up just three sacks and two penalties from 712 snaps as a rookie, displaying aggressive and assured pass protection that made him an unmitigated steal.
Jones could be forced into backup duties behind Cleveland's starting tackle tandem of Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wilis Jr. However, there's a high chance he'd be starting for the Commanders looking at the options available.
Commanders could have drafted Puka Nacua
- Wide Receiver | No. 177 overall
This is cheating a little bit. But if there was a 2023 redraft right now, Puka Nacua would be a high-end first-round pick. Everyone in the NFL looked the other way before the Los Angeles Rams ended his slide at No. 177 overall. What followed was a historic rookie campaign for the promising wide receiver.
Nacua was nothing short of exceptional, bringing in 105 receptions for 1,486 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The former Boise State star made the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro selection. This was an extraordinary turn of events - one that very few saw coming.
Would Nacua have had as much success in Washington under Ron Rivera and Eric Bieniemy? It's highly unlikely. Scheme and coaching matter. Sean McVay is a master at both, so this was the perfect environment for the wideout to flourish.
The Commanders underwhelmed offensively in 2023 aside from another outstanding campaign from Terry McLaurin in difficult circumstances. Rivera and Bieniemy are gone, so hopes are high that their passing game can take off with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels under center.