The 2025 NFL Draft is approaching and the Washington Commanders have the 29th pick. This is a breakdown of their team needs and potential players they could select in the Draft.
State of the Union
The Commanders had an amazing 2024-25 season, which exceeded any expectations that Commanders fans may have had for Jayden Daniels’ rookie season. The Washington franchise had been in a state of disarray on and off the field for the past decade. However, a change in ownership last offseason sparked a potential period of change for the franchise. Along with the change of ownership, a fresh GM and a new head coach, Dan Quinn, came to town. The only thing the franchise was missing for its new era was a franchise quarterback to lead the way.
The Commanders had taken a shot on Sam Howell in the 2022 NFL Draft, but things didn’t seem to be working out. So with a high draft pick in such a highly touted quarterback class, it was an easy choice for the Commanders to take a quarterback with the second pick in the 2024 draft. It was a stacked quarterback class with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye at the top of the pile, but even players like Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy garnered a lot of attention. It became clear that the Bears wanted Caleb Williams at No. 1, leaving the Commanders to decide between Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. While they appeared to be leaning Daniels’ way, even on draft night some people thought Maye could be the choice.
Washington selected the Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU with the second pick, and the rest, as they say, is history. Daniels hit the ground running with a great start to his rookie season, both statistically and by winning football games. He picked up a bit of an injury midway through the season, and though he only missed one game, his performances dipped a bit while he was clearly not at 100%. However, he ended the season strong and ended up being the runaway choice for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He secured the franchise’s first playoff berth and many Commanders fans probably would have been ecstatic with that rookie season. However, Daniels and the Commanders defeated the Bucs to get the franchise’s first playoff win in nearly two decades. This was truly all any Commanders fan could have hoped for, but Daniels took it one step further, dominating the top-seeded Lions in Detroit to make the NFC Championship Game.
The Commanders fell to the eventual Super Bowl champions in the NFC Championship Game but Jayden Daniels proved he was the real deal and could not only win games, but win playoff games. Dan Quinn had been looked at as a bit of a “dinosaur” who could not be a head coach in the modern game. However, Quinn clearly changed his philosophy since his last head coaching job and became very aggressive when it came to fourth down decisions and coaching with a modern analytical approach. Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury had been cast out of the NFL entirely for a time before returning to coach Jayden Daniels. Daniels and Kingsbury had a great connection and their offense thrived because of it. There were whispers that Kingsbury could be up for a head coaching job this offseason but he will be sticking with the Commanders next season.
The trio of Quinn, Kingsbury and Daniels will now lead the way forward in this new era for the Commanders. They now need to ensure that they can replicate the magic from last season and even take it a step further by making and winning a Super Bowl. Despite their tremendous success, their defense was nowhere near good enough to be a Super Bowl-winning defense. However, on the offensive side of the ball, the Commanders have made the biggest move of the NFL offseason so far by acquiring Deebo Samuel from the 49ers. While Jayden Daniels is still on rookie money, Washington needs to find a way to build a roster that can win a championship, and that starts this offseason.
Potential Departures
LB Bobby Wagner – The 11-time All-Pro was brought to Washington to provide some experience and leadership on this young defense and he did exactly that. While it was just a one-year stint and Wagner seems likely to move on, he should have provided some valuable advice to the young players on this defense. However, there is now a major hole in the middle of the defense to replace what Wagner provided last season.
S Jeremy Chinn – Chinn was another player brought in on a one-year contract to provide some temporary help to the defense in Washington. The Commanders are hoping to bring Chinn back after a solid season to provide some stability on the defensive side of the ball.
CBs Benjamin St-Juste, Noah Igbinoghene – This is a tale of two cornerbacks for Washington. St-Juste was drafted by the Commanders but he is likely to depart after a disappointing career and 2024 season. However, Igbinoghene is another player that came in on a one-year contract that Washington is likely to attempt to re-sign after some really solid play down the stretch.
TE Zach Ertz – It looked like Ertz’s career was winding down after not getting on the field much over the past few seasons. However, he had a resurgence after signing a one-year deal in Washington. Ertz finished second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Most importantly, he was able to stay healthy and on the field. The Commanders and Ertz both need to weigh their options, but Ertz seemed to love playing with Jayden Daniels.
EDGEs Dante Fowler Jr., Clelin Ferrell – Fowler and Ferrell are two more players on the long list of guys that signed a one-year deal with Washington before the 2024-25 season. Fowler had a great season, leading the Commanders in sacks and hitting the second-highest sack total of his career. The Commanders would love to bring him back next season. Ferrell missed a few games but hit about his average career production numbers with Washington. Unfortunately, those numbers just aren’t as great as many hoped from Ferrell coming out of college.
Team Needs
Pass Catchers – The Commanders could lose Zach Ertz, who was their second-best receiver last season. The addition of Deebo Samuel should go a long way in helping the receiving unit in Washington, but it could still use a solid WR3 to go along with Terry McLaurin and Samuel, especially given Samuel’s injury history. Also, even if the Commanders re-sign Zach Ertz, they could also use a younger tight end to learn under Ertz and be ready if he gets injured.
Secondary – The Commanders’ pass defense struggled last season and they have several key starters potentially set to depart. They would love to bring back Igbinoghene and Chinn but even if they do, they need more help at cornerback. If Chinn leaves, they have a major hole at safety as well.
Linebacker – Bobby Wagner is another player the Commanders would love to bring back. If they don’t, linebacker becomes one of their top priorities in the draft. Even if Wagner comes back, the Commanders still need some more plus-level starters to support the veteran.
Offensive Line – Jayden Daniels is the future of the franchise and they need to protect him at all costs. The offensive line play wasn’t terrible last season but it’s always smart to invest in the offensive line when you have a young, mobile quarterback.
Potential Draft Picks
EDGE James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) – James Pearce Jr. is an interesting prospect. He was projected to be one of the best players in college football last season, but his production was not as great as many had hoped. However, he still has some great physical traits and has shown flashes of brilliance at times. Pearce’s stock has dropped a bit in what is a loaded EDGE class, which means he could be available for the Commanders at 29 despite the fact that he was projected to be a potential top-10 pick a few months ago.
LB Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) – Campbell would be a great pick for the Commanders. He played as a conventional outside linebacker at Alabama but many teams are interested in him playing EDGE at the next level. The Commanders have a great defensive mind, Dan Quinn, at the helm and they are in need of players at linebacker and EDGE. Quinn could coach Campbell to be a great NFL player at whichever positions he seems to naturally thrive in once he is in the building
CBs Jahdae Barron (Texas), Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) – The Commanders need a lockdown corner and these two would be great options. Barron’s stock is rising fast so he is unlikely to be available at 29, but if he somehow drops, he would be a home-run pick. Hairston is a player who showed off his incredible athleticism at the combine and moved up many draft boards. He could sneak into the first round and be the ideal choice for Washington.
RB Omarion Hampton (UNC) – Brian Robinson Jr. only has one year left on his contract and it could be time for Washington to add another young running back to the mix. This team is so dangerous when its running game is clicking with Jayden Daniels at quarterback. Hampton is a great receiver out of the backfield and has incredible speed. If the Commanders just want to keep throwing talent at Daniels, Hampton could be the perfect pick.
TE Colston Loveland (Michigan) – Loveland is the TE2 in the 2025 NFL Draft, behind Tyler Warren. He could go somewhere in the middle of the first round but if teams elect to pass on Loveland and he makes it this far, he would be a fantastic pick. Loveland is a great receiving tight end but can also block and do everything you want from a tight end.
