The Washington Commanders finally get their bye this week, and we get a short break from our regularly scheduled programming. Dane Brugler released his latest mock draft this week, and we’ve got some time to look at the draft. College football’s regular season is almost over and we’re getting ready for the College Football Playoff.
Brugler’s mock has the Washington Commanders picking at #21, like the majority of the mocks in this quick roundup. He is the only mocker that has Washington taking Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, a Heisman trophy hopeful. Jeanty rushed the ball 312 times for an insane 2,288 yards(7.33 ypc) and had 28 rushing TDs. Will new GM Adam Peters take a RB in the first round, that will depend on how he ranks Jeanty compared to the other players in the draft.
The most popular players mocked to Washington in this roundup of 13 mock drafts are East Carolina CB Shavon Revel and Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka with three nods each. Revel also makes an appearance in the second round from Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell, while the site’s namesake has Washington taking him in the 1st. Revel is the only CB mocked to Washington in the first round, but there are two other WRs(Luther Burden III, Missouri, Isaiah Bond, Texas).
The Washington Commanders completely revamped their defensive ends under Adam Peters and Dan Quinn, but there will be more changes next year. That new blood could come via the first round, and we’ve got three edge rushers to choose from in this roundup(Nic Scourton, Texas A&M, Mike Green, Marshall, Mykel Williams, Georgia).
When I did the last mock draft roundup after this year’s draft, offensive tackle was the most popular pick for Washington. A lot of things have changed since then as the projections for Washington’s draft pick kept dropping as they kept winning. Their draft range was picks No. 2-11, and now they’re 21-22. Brandon Coleman was a third round pick this year, and has been getting a lot of experience at LT, while Andrew Wylie, and for one game, Cornelius Lucas, has been playing RT. This week there’s only one offensive lineman going to Washington, Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota.
Where will Washington pick, and who/what position should they take next year?
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Jeanty is one of the best players in this draft class, full stop. But there aren’t many obvious landing spots for a running back in the top 20, especially if Dallas passes (and I’m not projecting any trades in a mock draft this early in the process).
Washington wouldn’t be upset to see the Boise State standout fall this far. I’ll double check the NFL rule book, but a Jayden Daniels/Jeanty backfield hardly seems fair.
Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
The Commanders need to add a boundary cornerback with size and ball skills. That’s precisely the type of specimen Revel is.
Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
The 6-4, 280-pound Scourton’s hard-charging style won’t be a fit for every defense, but he might find a fan in Dan Quinn, who likely would relish a versatile and physical threat capable of creating havoc for opposing offenses. While his consistency is still an issue, the splash plays might be enough to earn a strong look from a team needing difference-makers off the edge.
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
What a perfect pairing this could be. Terry McLaurin is flourishing with Jayden Daniels at quarterback, but the Commanders still lack consistent, high-end receiving options beyond their top target. Luther Burden’s 2024 campaign may have been quieter, but that seemed more a reflection of the offense he was in rather than any issues with his skill set. After Washington missed out on adding Brandon Aiyuk last offseason, Burden could be an outstanding alternative and a long-term complement to McLaurin.
Round 2: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Round 3: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Washington clearly has their franchise quarterback in star rookie Jayden Daniels, but if they want him to hit his sky-high ceiling, he needs a long-term upgrade at left tackle. Ersery needs to improve his consistency, but he’s got all the tools to quickly develop into that kind of player at the next level, protecting Daniels’ blind side for years to come.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka has the natural play strength, frame, and technical detail to play on the outside at both outside designations. However, his skill set would be best utilized in the slot, allowing him full freedom to operate as the route-running savant he is.
Egbuka’s lackluster top-end explosiveness theoretically limits his ceiling, but he’s in a similar mold to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has rounded into one of the most dangerous pass-catchers in the league.
Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
The Washington Commanders do need to figure out their WR room for the long-term, as Terry McLaurin is getting older. Washington continues to try and make life easier for Jayden Daniels and take Isaiah Bond from Texas in the first round of this NFL mock draft.
They are riding a three-game winning streak, but another weapon on offense could stabilize this unit in 2025 and beyond.
Round 2: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
The Washington Commanders have laid the groundwork for long-term success in the NFL. They have dropped three games in a row, but if you ask me, they are going to be just fine. Jayden Daniels has been very good this year, and it’s important to keep in mind that this is year one for the GM, head coach, and QB.
The potential is through the roof, and at pick 55 of this NFL mock draft, Washington takes safety Xavier Watts from Notre Dame.
Mike Green, DE, Marshall
Green has been a monster for the Thundering Herd this season, with a ton of big plays for the Marshall defense. Thus far in 2024, Green has 15 sacks with three forced fumbles, 73 tackles, and a pass batted. The 6-foot-4, 248-pounder is very fast and explosive off the edge. In 2023, Green had 43 tackles with 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
Round 2: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
In 2024, Revel had two interceptions, two passes broken up, and eight tackles. He played in three games before suffering a torn ACL in practice to end his season. Revel (6-2, 188) is a big cornerback that has impressive speed and athleticism for a big cornerback. In 2023, he had 55 tackles with 12 passes broken up and one interception.
Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
The Redskins have a secondary in need of multiple upgrades. Emmanuel Forbes failed, so another first-round cornerback will be needed to pair with Marshon Lattimore.
Shavon Revel has great speed and athleticism for a very large cornerback. He possesses terrific upside.
Round 2: Savion Williams, WR, TCU
The Redskins need a better No. 2 option across from Terry McLaurin.
Savion Williams is a huge receiver, measuring at 6-foot-5.
Round 3: Alfred Collins, DE, Texas The Texans are one of the worst teams when it comes to stopping the run.
Alfred Collins is a tough run defender who gets some pressure on quarterbacks.
Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Washington Commanders’ turnaround has taken place without the presence of a truly dynamic edge rusher. Dan Quinn would love to land a prospect like Mykel Williams, who possesses all of the physical tools scouts salivate over.
Williams’ flashes of dominance paired with elite athleticism and prototypical size and length are enough to warrant this pick alone, yet his versatility adds another element to his upside as a moveable weapon in this scheme.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Adding Marshon Lattimore at the trade deadline lessens the need for a first-round corner, so let’s continue to add weapons around Jayden Daniels. Terry McLaurin is entrenched as the WR1, but a true WR2 is needed. Emeka Egbuka is a great fit. Egbuka is a strong route-runner and RAC threat who can hold down the slot for years to come as Daniels’ safety blanket with big-play potential.
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