Commanders draft Nick Marsh
- Wide Receiver | Indiana Hoosiers
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 36
Adding a wide receiver early in the draft is essential for the Washington Commanders. Only third-round rookie Antonio Williams could be a long-term piece, and this unit could be unrecognizable by Week 1 of the 2027 season.
Terry McLaurin is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon. The franchise stalwart may have played his final snap in Washington, which would be a sad way to end a highly productive career with the club.
Stefon Diggs is a one-year rental and may not return, and the same goes for Dyami Brown. Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey haven't made the strides expected, and the jury is still out on Treylon Burks.
The Commanders need a revamp. Nick Marsh has all the physical and athletic intangibles of a productive NFL wide receiver, and if he is available early in the second round, general manager Adam Peters may not take long to turn in his card.
Commanders draft Tavion Gadson
- Defensive Line | Kentucky Wildcats
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 68
Daron Payne was the subject of intense trade speculation in recent weeks. That came to an abrupt halt after the imposing defensive lineman suffered a Jones fracture in his foot, ending his season.
The Commanders were reportedly in discussions to move Payne, but he'll likely leave for nothing in free agency. Javon Kinlaw is playing well, but he'll be in the final year of his deal next season. Tim Settle Jr. has underwhelmed, and the rest wouldn't be described as world-beaters by any stretch.
Defensive linemen don't come cheap in free agency. That makes finding one in the draft imperative, and the Commanders could do a lot worse than examine Tavion Gadson's credentials in greater detail.
Gadson looks the part. He's got overwhelming raw power at the point of contact, and his burst off the snap is extraordinary for a man his size. The Kentucky product is raw, but the tools are all there.
Commanders draft Iapani Laloulu
- Center | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 105
Adam Peters botched the center position this offseason. The Commanders placed way too much faith in Nick Allegretti, and it didn't take long to realize this was a massive error in judgment.
Releasing Tyler Biadasz and failing to have a contingency plan after missing out on Tyler Linderbaum left the Commanders desperate. Lucas Patrick is currently starting, and he's been solid enough. Even so, this is nothing more than a stopgap until the team finds a longer-term option in the offseason.
The cheapest and easiest solution is the draft, and several intriguing prospects are looking to take their chances in the pros. Iapani Laloulu is among them, and although he is somewhat undersized, he's a mauler on running downs with the athleticism to hold his own in pass protection.
Laloulu has some technical flaws to work through. But in the right scheme, the Oregon standout looks like a potential Day 1 starter with a smooth transition.
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