The Washington Commanders didn't get their young players involved as much as fans and, reportedly, general manager Adam Peters would have liked in a lost campaign.
Head coach Dan Quinn kept faith with his aging veterans right until the bitter end. What impact that will have on the team's long-term growth remains to be seen, but the 2025 draft class did manage to get plenty of time on the field to aid their development.
Peters only had six selections at his disposal. The front-office leader thought his team was in a position to win it all, and he reacted accordingly with some bombshell trades. Unfortunately, things fell by the wayside, and the NFL's oldest roster lacked the quality or depth to overcome severe injuries.
Things may not have gone according to plan for the Commanders this season, but their 2025 rookie group will benefit greatly from the experience. Most look capable of carving out important roles for themselves. The jury is still out, but Washington looks to have more hits than misses right now.
With this in mind, we regraded the Commanders' 2025 NFL Draft class following their first seasons in Washington.
Re-grading the Commanders' 2025 NFL Draft class after one season
Commanders drafted Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Running Back | Arizona Wildcats
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 245
With the Washington Commanders' final selection, they took a chance on running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Day 3 picks are always crapshoots, but general manager Adam Peters struck gold with the backfield force.
Croskey-Merritt was a revelation over the summer, instantly captivating fans across the league. The Commanders traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers and lost Austin Ekeler to a torn Achilles in Week 2, which thrust the first-year pro into the limelight.
The Arizona product shone, taking the Commanders by storm. Croskey-Merritt hit the inevitable rookie wall midway through his first season, but he responded positively en route to ending the campaign on a high note.
He acknowledged that things couldn't have gone much better as a rookie. Croskey-Merritt secured 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns with a 4.6 yards per carry average. If he works on his pass protection and route running out of the backfield, the sky is the limit in 2026.
- Original draft grade: B+
- Regrade after one season: A+
This was an absolute home run so late in the draft. Croskey-Merritt has a bright future in the game, and the Commanders need to make him a focal point moving forward.
Commanders drafted Kain Medrano
- Linebacker | UCLA Bruins
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 205
Despite the Washington Commanders desperately needing a developmental edge rusher at some stage during the 2025 NFL Draft, general manager Adam Peters resisted the temptation. That blew up in his face, so it wouldn't be surprising to see his first-round pick this year go on the position.
Kain Medrano was the strangest pick of Washington's draft. The linebacker tested extremely well at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was incredibly raw technically, but linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. worked with him at UCLA and vouched for his qualities. Nobody was expecting miracles right away. Even so, it's hard to look at his rookie exploits with anything other than disappointment.
Medrano made the roster but was a healthy scratch for the most part. He was active much more down the stretch. However, this came on special teams rather than on defensive rotation.
- Original draft grade: C+
- Regrade after one season: C-
The Commanders still don't know what they have in Medrano. Not giving him valuable reps late in the season was a damning indictment of Dan Quinn's approach and of how the player's development is perceived. Unless substantial growth arrives this offseason, he's in danger of suffering a similar fate to Dominique Hampton, who was released before his second campaign.
Commanders drafted Jaylin Lane
- Wide Receiver | Virginia Tech Hokies
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 128
Jaylin Lane was viewed as a steal in the fourth round. The wide receiver was projected as a second-rounder entering his final season at Virginia Tech. Unfortunately, not being used correctly within the Hokies' offensive scheme hurt his stock considerably.
The Commanders thought they might have something in Lane. Even though he didn't quite make the desired adjustments to impact the passing attack consistently, the wideout found another way to make a lasting contribution as a rookie before getting hurt.
Lane won the starting punt returner job over the summer. He finished eighth in punt return yards league-wide despite missing two games. He was one of only five players who returned two punts for touchdowns. His electrifying elusiveness and speed in the open field became a revelation, and the receiver may have even entered the Pro Bowl discussion before an injury took hold.
While Lane remains a work in progress on offense, he is an exceptional special-teams performer. That's a solid foundation from which to build, but whether he can become anything more remains to be seen.
- Original draft grade: B
- Regrade after one season: B+
If Lane can soak up more information from Terry McLaurin this offseason and learn how to create separation more effectively, he could make a much bigger impression.
Commanders drafted Trey Amos
- Cornerback | OIe Miss Rebels
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 61
Adam Peters considered taking cornerback Trey Amos with his first-round pick at No. 29 overall. When the Commanders saw him there for the taking late in the second round, it was an absolute no-brainer from the general manager's perspective.
Amos had the size, length, and physicality to cope with any rookie growing pains. His exceptional summer saw him win the starting boundary spot opposite Marshon Lattimore quickly. The Commanders had problems in plentiful supply across their secondary in 2025, but the former Ole Miss standout was a rare shining light amid the almost constant doom and gloom.
It wasn't perfect; not by any stretch of the imagination. However, Amos looked ready and never backed down an inch. That momentum came screeching to an abrupt halt with a broken fibula sustained in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions.
This was a body blow for the player and Washington. It was also something the Commanders could recover from en route to a dismal season that eventually led to the firing of defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.
- Original draft grade: A
- Regrade after one season: A
Amos' campaign may have ended prematurely, but if he can make a successful return and show no signs of dropping off, the Commanders have a long-term piece on their hands.
Commanders drafted Josh Conerly Jr.
- Offensive Tackle | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 29
The Commanders spent significant draft capital to secure the services of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil via trade from the Houston Texans. That did not prevent Adam Peters from taking Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall.
Peters faced an anxious wait to see if Conerly would be available. The Commanders got a stroke of good fortune, and they didn't hesitate. It was a rollercoaster rookie campaign for the Oregon product, but he certainly looks capable of becoming a franchise cornerstone.
Conerly was handed a baptism of fire over the first month of the season, and he struggled accordingly. He kept plugging away behind the scenes, working hard on his craft and gradually becoming influential as the campaign wore on. His pass protection was much more assured, and his NFL-ready footwork was as advertised. Once the player improves his core strength, Washington will have an exceptional edge protector.
- Original draft grade: B+
- Regrade after one season: A
It was a rough ride as expected for Conerly, but he rode the storm and came out on the other end smiling. If he gains more from these experiences and improves his overall game this offseason, he's got the tools needed to be highly impactful in 2026.