ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders, coming off a 12-5 season and an NFC Championship appearance in 2024, entered the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24-26 in Green Bay with five picks, tied for the fewest in the league. General Manager Adam Peters, in his second draft, prioritized talent and speed, selecting Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos, Virginia Tech wide receiver Jaylin Lane, UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano, and Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
The class, praised for addressing key needs around quarterback Jayden Daniels, earned a B grade from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., but missed opportunities at edge rusher and a questionable linebacker pick tempered optimism. With a revamped roster and a tough schedule, the Commanders are poised for another playoff run, though Super Bowl aspirations hinge on defensive improvements.
Draft Performance: Strategic Hits and High-Upside Picks
The Commanders’ draft began with a pivotal selection at No. 29, taking Conerly, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive tackle who started 28 games at left tackle for Oregon. A third-team All-American in 2024, Conerly allowed just one sack and six pressures in his final 12 games, per Pro Football Focus, earning a 76.9 pass-blocking grade. Peters, who declined trade-down offers due to a thin tackle class, said, “We loved Conerly’s youth and athleticism”. Conerly’s 1.71-second 10-yard split at the combine, fastest among linemen, highlights his explosiveness.
With five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, acquired via trade in 2024, Conerly is slated for right tackle or guard, competing with Brandon Coleman and Andrew Vorhees. His addition addresses a 2024 weakness, with Washington’s offensive line allowing a 6.9% sack rate and 32.5% pressure rate, per ESPN []. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted, “He sees twists and blitzes developing and recovers with athleticism when beaten”. The pick, graded A by The Athletic, ensures Daniels’ protection, critical after his 891 rushing yards and 3,568 passing yards as a rookie.
In the second round (No. 61), Washington selected Amos, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound cornerback who earned first-team All-SEC honors at Ole Miss with 13 pass breakups and three interceptions in 2024. Amos, who played at Louisiana-Lafayette and Alabama, excels in zone coverage, with a career completion rate allowed under 19% on throws of 20-plus yards, per PFF.
Peters called Amos “everything you want as a corner”. With Marshon Lattimore, acquired via trade, and Jonathan Jones, signed in free agency, as starters, Amos adds depth behind Mike Sainristil, who started 16 games as a 2024 rookie. Amos’ 4.43 40-yard dash and press coverage skills position him for early snaps, especially with Sainristil and Jones better suited inside. The Washington Post’s Sam Fortier gave the pick a B+, noting, “Amos provides depth and should become a starter”.
The fourth-round pick, Lane (No. 128), a 5-foot-10, 196-pound slot receiver from Virginia Tech, brings speed (4.34 40-yard dash) and special teams value, averaging 10.9 yards per punt return with two touchdowns. Lane recorded 2,532 yards and 18 touchdowns over five college seasons, earning second-team All-C-USA honors at MTSU. Zierlein described him as a “semi-versatile slot option with legitimate long speed”. Lane joins Deebo Samuel, acquired via trade, and Terry McLaurin, giving Daniels a dynamic target for screens and jet sweeps. His punt return ability addresses a 2024 weakness, with Washington ranking 28th in punt return yards (6.8 average). Posts on X praised Lane’s selection, with @CommandersRealm calling it “efficient”.
Sixth-round linebacker Medrano (No. 205), a 6-foot-3, 222-pound UCLA product, led his team with three forced fumbles and added two interceptions in 2024, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors. A former wide receiver turned linebacker, Medrano’s speed and special-teams potential drew interest from linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., his former UCLA coach. Zierlein noted, “His long, lean frame is more reminiscent of a strong safety”. Medrano projects as a dime linebacker and special-teams contributor, competing with 2024 pick Dominique Hampton.
Seventh-round running back Croskey-Merritt (No. 245), a 5-foot-10, 206-pound transfer from Arizona, impressed at the East-West Shrine Bowl with his explosive cuts. He complements Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols, none of whom are signed beyond 2025. Zierlein praised his “cut to daylight” mentality, projecting him as a change-of-pace back.
Where They Missed: Edge Rusher Absence and Medrano’s Risk
The draft’s most glaring oversight was failing to address the edge rusher position, a critical need after losing Dante Fowler Jr.’s team-high 10.5 sacks to Dallas in free agency. Washington ranked 30th against the run in 2024, allowing 4.9 yards per carry, and struggled to pressure quarterbacks, with Frankie Luvu’s 6.5 sacks leading returners. Mock drafts projected edge rushers like Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku or Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. at No. 29, with Ezeiruaku’s 16.5 sacks in 2024 making him a fit for Dan Quinn’s aggressive scheme. Peters’ decision to prioritize Conerly over an edge rusher drew scrutiny, with CBSSports.com noting, “Pass rusher is a key positional need”. Quinn’s philosophy—“Affecting the quarterback has to be at the top”—suggests a veteran signing, like Joey Bosa or Khalil Mack, may be pursued, but the draft’s edge neglect could haunt Washington against mobile quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts.
Medrano’s selection also raised concerns. His high missed-tackle rate, per NFL.com, and undersized frame for an outside linebacker limit his immediate impact. The Athletic’s Ben Standig called Medrano a “height-weight-speed gamble,” noting similarities to Hampton, who saw minimal defensive snaps as a rookie. With Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu entrenched as starters, Medrano’s path to playing time is narrow, making the pick a questionable use of a sixth-round selection when depth at defensive tackle or wide receiver was needed.
The Commanders’ limited draft capital—five picks after trading for Tunsil and Samuel—constrained Peters’ ability to address all needs. While Lane adds offensive speed, Washington passed on high-upside receivers like Miami’s Xavier Restrepo, who worked out privately with the team. The receiving corps, with only Luke McCaffrey signed beyond 2025, remains a long-term concern.
Current Team Composition
The Commanders’ 2025 roster, ranked No. 8 by NFL.com, is built around Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, who threw for 3,568 yards and rushed for 891, leading Washington to a 12-5 record and their first NFC Championship since 1991. The offense features Samuel, McLaurin, Noah Brown, Zach Ertz (66 catches, 7 touchdowns in 2024), and Ben Sinnott, with Tunsil, Conerly, Tyler Biadasz, Sam Cosmi, and Coleman anchoring the line. Cosmi’s ACL recovery may delay his return, elevating Conerly’s role. Robinson, Ekeler, McNichols, and Croskey-Merritt form a versatile backfield, though none are long-term solutions.
Defensively, Daron Payne and Jer’Zhan Newton lead the interior line, with Javon Kinlaw’s $45 million deal adding size despite a modest 4.5 sacks in 2024. Luvu and Wagner headline the linebackers, with Medrano and Hampton as depth. The secondary, a 2024 weakness (25th in explosive pass rate), is revamped with Lattimore, Jones, Sainristil, Amos, and Noah Igbinoghene. Amos and Sainristil’s flexibility allows Quinn to deploy aggressive coverages. Special teams, with Lane’s return potential, could improve from 2024’s 28th-ranked punt return unit.
Offseason moves, including Tunsil ($25 million cap hit), Samuel ($11 million), and Jones (one-year deal), reflect a win-now approach, but trades depleted 2025 and 2026 picks. Daniels’ $8.2 million cap hit provides flexibility, but Wagner’s $8.5 million and Ertz’s expiring deal loom. The loss of Jonathan Allen and Jeremy Chinn weakened the defensive front, making Kinlaw’s performance critical.
Season Predictions
Washington’s 2025 schedule includes NFC East rivals, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Green Bay, testing their revamped roster. Conerly’s addition should reduce Daniels’ 10.4% sack rate from late 2024, enabling more downfield throws to Samuel and McLaurin. Amos strengthens a secondary that allowed 31 explosive passes last season, potentially neutralizing receivers like A.J. Brown. Lane’s speed and return ability add offensive and special teams dynamism, but the lack of an elite edge rusher could expose Washington against run-heavy teams like Philadelphia, who exploited their 4.9 yards per carry allowed in 2024.
Analysts project an 11-6 or 12-5 record, with Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame giving the draft a B: “Conerly and Amos address critical needs”. The Washington Post’s Mark Maske noted Peters’ focus on “speed and quickness,” but cautioned that edge rusher remains a gap. Posts on X, like @CommandersRealm’s, called the draft “efficient” but noted the edge miss. The Commanders’ ability to integrate Conerly and Amos, while relying on Luvu and Kinlaw for pass-rush production, will determine their ceiling. A wildcard berth is likely, with a divisional round appearance possible if the defense gels. A Super Bowl run, however, may require a veteran edge addition and Daniels’ continued growth against elite defenses like Kansas City’s.
The Commanders’ 2025 draft, while not flashy, fortified Daniels’ protection and secondary depth, earning praise for value picks like Conerly and Amos. Missing an edge rusher and Medrano’s uncertain fit are drawbacks, but with a talented core and favorable cap situation, Washington remains a playoff contender, aiming to build on their 2024 Cinderella story.
