Commanders 7-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Bold approach edition

Commanders draft Troy Fautanu

• Offensive Tackle | Washington Huskies
• Round No. 1 | No. 14 overall

It's been made known that the Washington Commanders are looking for a quality starter at both left and right tackle. As of right now, there isn't a sense that the front office led by Adam Peters is going to be as aggressive in selecting a franchise blindside force in the draft as fans may want. However, it's important to know that things can change during the fast-moving selection event.

With this trade up into the top 15, Peters can secure their potential cornerstone left tackle with the selection of Troy Fautanu.

At 6-foot-4, 317 pounds, and the requisite arm length needed for offensive tackles, Fautanu offers incredible movement skills and lateral mobility. This allows the Washington prospect to mirror pass rushers in his sets with consistency. 

He is also a menace in the run game. Once he gets grips on opposing defenders, Fautanu displays explosiveness and leg drive that makes him a force on wide zone, down blocks, and second-level assignments. 

If you’re looking for a play-style comparison, former Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater is a good place to start. There’s plenty of technical ability that will allow him to succeed early and often in both facets of the game. If the Commanders like him, they have to go up thanks in no small part to his exceptional pre-draft assessment testing.

Commanders trade down from No. 67

We have another trade.

The Commanders moved back 13 more spots to search for better value at positions of need as their original third-round pick left very little to work with. This is a move Washington might consider regardless of what they do after the No. 2 overall selection.