Commanders 7-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Filling needs edition

Commanders draft T.J. Tampa

• Cornerback | Iowa State Cyclones
• No. 96 overall

T.J. Tampa is a long boundary cornerback who has good speed and good feet. I have seen him stick with speedy wide receivers and also make smart plays in zone sets.

But what distinguishes Tampa is that he is a punishing hitter. He has the size to make it count and most importantly, he has the technique to deliver legal blows, shoulder to torso.

A taller cornerback who hits like that will almost certainly fall victim to circumstance at times, and unwittingly contact the receiver’s head as the wideout is going to the ground. Tampa is one of a newer generation of defensive backs who are being schooled to avoid that.

I still think that former third-round pick Benjamin St-Juste is salvageable with better coaching and a better pass rush. Two things that should arrive to the Washington Commanders this offseason once a new regime comes into the fold.

Tampa looks to me to be as good or better in coverage, and a much scarier hitter. This sort of aggression is exactly what the Commanders require within a secondary that could be losing veteran coverage specialist Kendall Fuller in free agency.

Others to consider: Dominick Puni, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Max Melton.