It didn't take long to realize new general manager Adam Peters wasn't the biggest fan of Ron Rivera's roster building. The Washington Commanders are going about their business differently under this exciting regime. Anyone not deemed a fit will be moved on regardless of previous standing. That's the method they believe can kickstart this long-term plan into action.
Another example of this came when Peters shipped wide receiver Jahan Dotson and a fifth-round pick to their NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles for a third-rounder and two sevens. This was a shocking turn of events. Not because the wideout was deemed surplus to requirements, but because another deal was struck with a divisional foe.
Dotson becomes the latest in a long line of Rivera draft picks who couldn't live up to their billing. He didn't look like a good fit and Peters took the best deal regardless of whether it impacted Washington's chances or not.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have, especially in cases like this. Even so, here are seven players the Commanders could have drafted over Dotson in 2022.
Players the Commanders could have drafted over Jahan Dotson
Commanders could have drafted Chris Olave
- Wide Receiver | Ohio State Buckeyes
- No. 11 overall | New Orleans Saints
This is the trade that started it all. The Washington Commanders dealt the No. 11 pick to the New Orleans Saints. These are the players Ron Rivera turned the capital acquired into.
- Jahan Dotson - WR
- Brian Robinson Jr. - RB
- Sam Howell - QB
- Cole Turner - TE
Many fans thought they got a good return - especially with Howell earning the starting gig in 2023. Now, there's a good chance only Robinson will remain on the squad this time around.
Howell and Dotson have both been traded. Turner could be cut after the Commanders signed Zach Ertz and drafted Ben Sinnott to bolster their tight-end room. Had Ron Rivera held firm and taken Chris Olave, they'd have arguably been better off.
Olave's gone over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons despite subpar quarterback play. He's an electrifying player who's only just turned 24 years old. Commanders fans are simply left with what might have been.
Commanders could have drafted Kyle Hamilton
- Safety | Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- No. 14 overall | Baltimore Ravens
Once the Washington Commanders traded down for what they believed to be a decent offer from the New Orleans Saints, it almost guaranteed they wouldn't get their hands on someone the fanbase was clamoring for. Kyle Hamilton was the best prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft, but his position value coupled with slight concerns in coverage meant plenty of teams looked the other way.
Hamilton ended up with the Baltimore Ravens, who always seem to do the right thing. The gifted defensive back immediately took off as a rookie before breaking out in the best possible way in 2023.
The former Notre Dame standout was an absolute revelation, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors to firmly establish himself as one of the league's most prolific safeties. One of Ron Rivera's best draft picks was at the same spot - seventh-rounder Kamren Curl. He didn't get another deal from the new regime and signed for the Los Angeles Rams in free agency.
Of all the picks Rovera could have made over Jahan Dotson, overlooking Hamilton's obvious credentials was the most infuriating of all. The fact he ended up just down the road is all the more frustrating.
Commanders could have drafted Trent McDuffie
- Cornerback | Washington Huskies
- No. 21 overall | Kansas City Chiefs
Watching the Washington Commanders cornerbacks give up big plays at will last season was a constant disappointment. Having no consistent pass rush over the second half of 2023 didn't help, but the acquisitions made by Ron Rivera never caught on aside from dependable veteran Kendall Fuller.
The apple of Rivera's eye - first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. - endured a disastrous rookie campaign. Things haven't progressed effectively for the player under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr., leading many to speculate whether he's part of the team's long-term vision.
Trent McDuffie was available for the Commanders in the 2022 NFL Draft. They thought better of it, which ended up working out quite well for the gifted defensive back after he landed on the Kansas City Chiefs.
McDuffie integrated seamlessly, winning two Super Bowls to start his career and earning All-Pro honors last time around thanks in no small part to five forced fumbles. Looking at Jahan Dotson's fate and the overall state of the cornerback unit, he'd have been a much better choice in hindsight.
Commanders could have drafted Tyler Linderbaum
- Center | Iowa Hawkeyes
- No. 25 overall | Baltimore Ravens
Chase Roullier was a capable performer when on the field. The veteran center's injury problems began in 2021 - featuring in just eight games. Instead of finding a younger option in case something similar happened again, the Washington Commanders stood pat to their detriment.
Things got even worse for Roullier in 2022, featuring just twice. He was released as a salary-cap casualty during the 2023 offseason and eventually retired, ending a brief but productive NFL career.
The Commanders spurned a golden opportunity to solve this issue by passing on Tyler Linderbaum. He graded out extremely highly despite some analysts questioning his lack of legitimate NFL size. The Baltimore Ravens had no such concerns and they've been rewarded with two seasons of exceptional production so far.
Linderbaum made the Pro Bowl last season and is one of the league's best centers already. It's a testament to how well-run the Ravens are that they managed to secure two premium difference-makers in the first round. Ron Rivera didn't enjoy anything like the same success - a reason why the Commanders are wallowing in obscurity heading into Year 1 of an extensive rebuilding season.
Commanders could have drafted Tyler Smith
- Offensive Line | Tulsa Golden Hurricane
- No. 24 overall | Dallas Cowboys
Ron Rivera never figured things out on the offensive line. He inherited a productive unit and turned it into a laughingstock. Valuing position versatility over specialist production quickly became undoing and the previous head coach paid with his job.
All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff ended his contract stalemate with the Commanders in 2022 by signing for the Jacksonville Jaguars on a megabucks deal in free agency. Had Rivera been a bit more forward-thinking, he might have given Tyler Smith more consideration during the draft.
Smith was an imposing interior force at Tulsa who ascended quickly throughout his pre-draft assessments. The Dallas Cowboys were suitably impressed, taking the player at No. 24 overall and immediately giving him starting responsibilities following a seamless transition from college to the pros.
There were some discipline issues early on. but Smith looks like a cornerstone piece in Dallas. He's given up just seven sacks in 2,086 snaps in two seasons and is a stout force against the run. The Commanders could have used someone with that sort of talent manning one of the guard positions after Scherff's departure. Alas, Rivera thought he knew better.
Commanders could have drafted Jermaine Johnson II
- Edge Rusher | Florida State Seminoles
- No. 26 overall | New York Jets
Edge rusher wasn't considered a big need for the Washington Commanders in 2022. However, defensive end Chase Young's injury-plagued sophomore campaign was the start of a longer-term concern that eventually saw him traded to the San Francisco 49ers for nothing more than a compensatory third-round selection.
The Commanders also shipped out Montez Sweat, leaving their pass-rushing options thin on the ground. Had they considered someone like Jermaine Johnson II in the 2022 NFL Draft, things might have been different.
Johnson was considered by some draft analysts to be a potential top-10 pick before he fell to the New York Jets. After a steady enough start being brought along gradually as a rookie, the former Florida State star looked more the part in 2023, achieving 7.5 sacks and earning a stellar 83.0 grade from Pro Football Focus as a result of his improved efforts.
Ron Rivera had confidence Young would bounce back. It was his biggest draft investment and the need to give him more time was evident. Unfortunately, the once-generational college talent at Ohio State never reached his rookie heights again.
Commanders could have drafted Devin Lloyd
- Linebacker | Utah Utes
- No. 27 overall | Jacksonville Jaguars
The Commanders spent their 2021 first-round pick on a linebacker, which was the only genuine investment Ron Rivera ever made at the position. Jamin Davis was the choice, but the selection didn't exactly go according to plan and the Kentucky product is now making his way as an edge rusher under the new regime.
Someone like Devin Lloyd was exactly what the Commanders needed at the defensive second level. The former Utah star is physically imposing and highly instinctive. His 242 tackles in two seasons highlight as much, although the player has yet to register a sack over his first two seasons in the league.
Lloyd is an integral part of the Jacksonville Jaguars plans long term. That's not the case for Jahan Dotson in Washington, who was cast aside for minimal compensation after becoming a square peg in a round hole within Kliff Kingsbury's offensive concepts.
Fortunately for the Commanders, things look much more promising within their linebacking corps now. Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu bring experience and ferocity in equal measure - something that should reinvigorate a position group that became a constant source of frustration on Rivera's watch.