Commanders 7-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Moving up edition
By Dean Jones
Commanders draft Sedrick Van Pran
- Center | Georgia Bulldogs
- No. 69 overall
As previously stated, if the Washington Commanders want to use next season to properly evaluate Sam Howell, they must fix the offensive line. The former fifth-round selection is on track to break the NFL's single-season record for sacks, which is a damning indictment of the way head coach Ron Rivera has approached recruitment in this critical area of the field throughout his tenure.
This is a mistake the new coaching regime cannot make. There are some good offensive linemen emerging from college this year, with Sedrick Van Pran arguably the best at the center position following an exceptional career with the two-time national champion Georgia Bulldogs.
The Commanders brought in Nick Gates during free agency in the hope of solving their center riddle after Chase Roullier's injury problems forced Washington into a different plan. This blew up in their face and although Tyler Larsen is decent, he doesn't look like a long-term solution.
With Van Pran, it's a different story. He's a well-rounded lineman in the run or passing game, is a strong communicator at the line of scrimmage, and rarely puts a foot wrong thanks to a nice blend of power and agility.
Some analysts are tabbing Van Pran as a potential second-round candidate. So if the prospect is still around by this point, the Commanders shouldn't hesitate.