Commanders acquire intriguing lifeline for Jayden Daniels at No. 67

After an extremely busy second round that saw the Washington Commanders acquire three intriguing playmakers, there was no time for Adam Peters to rest on his laurels. The general manager was on deck relatively early in the third round, which was another chance to enhance his ever-improving roster and continue with what appears to be a strong-looking 2024 NFL Draft so far.

Peters had an abundance of options at his disposal, although the late run on offensive tackles to close out the second round was disappointing. That said, the front-office leader always seems to have an ace up his sleeve looking at how he's navigating the draft board in his first college selection event as the primary decision-maker.

Commanders draft Brandon Coleman at No. 67

With the No. 67 overall pick, Washington took the chance to bring in Brandon Coleman - a versatile offensive lineman who plied his trade at left tackle during his time at TCU.

Coleman's been a polarizing prospect of sorts throughout the evaluation process. While his athleticism indicates a productive NFL career could be in the offing, his lack of prototypical size might suggest he'd be better suited to the interior upon getting to the next level.

This will no doubt trigger some PTSD among Commanders fans given Ron Rivera's previous preference for position versatility over high-level college talent across the protection. Looking at the options available, it would be a surprise if Coleman didn't get a chance to play some offensive tackle throughout the offseason before those in power decide on further action.

Coleman displayed his unique blend of size and quickness throughout his final college career at TCU. This athleticism also caught the eye at pre-draft assessment events, so Peters must see something in the player to warrant prolonged investigation.

There are some concerns. Coleman can get overawed from a leverage standpoint when he loses momentum early. He's a fluid mover, but footwork sometimes lets him down in key moments. Something that must be resolved as a matter of urgency if he wants to carve out a successful career for himself.

This can be seen as an intriguing development project that could potentially become a starting-caliber option to protect Jayden Daniels' blindside over time. Nobody will be expecting that right away unless there's a monumental leap forward, so Peters could be forced to deploy Cornelius Lucas on the edge while the new college recruit gets up to speed.

That's a big gamble, but Daniels is aware and mobile enough to compensate for some deficiencies. The Commanders also have the cash available to sign one of the remaining free agents on the market if the right situation presents itself throughout the summer.

Fans were expecting someone higher up the pecking order. But if he integrates quickly, Coleman could end up being one of those rough diamonds that turn into something more if nurtured correctly.