Commanders 7-round 2024 NFL mock draft: New beginnings edition
By Dean Jones
Commanders draft Omar Speights
- Linebacker | LSU Tigers
- Round 7 | No. 219 overall
This part of the draft is always a crap shoot. For every Brock Purdy, there are a hundred guys who don't cut the mustard. Separating those with promising potential from the also-rans in the later rounds separates the good teams from the not-so-great.
It would be fantastic to see some urgency directed towards the Washington Commanders linebacking corps this offseason. Nobody aside from Jamin Davis is guaranteed to return in 2024. Free agency is a good place to find instant solutions at the defensive second level. Taking a flier on someone like Omar Speights might also be something to ponder.
Speights is highly experienced following a prolific spell at LSU and Oregon State. He excels in coverage, demonstrating outstanding awareness and quick reactions to developing routes. The closing speed is adequate and he also flashes sideline-to-sideline production against the run.
There is a tendency to be over-aggressive. He's not the biggest either, which could cause complications against more physical NFL blockers. Anyone expecting the prospect to be a dominant pass-rusher is kidding themselves, but the Commanders could use Speights as a special teamer while building gradually into the defensive rotation in this scenario.
The Commanders have to hit on the majority of their draft picks this offseason. Whether Speights is someone who fits their new mold under Dan Quinn remains to be seen.
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