Commanders' decision to pick Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round looks even better after the draft's final results

The Washington Commanders are going to protect Jayden Daniels at all costs and that was made clear when Oregon tackle Josh Conerly Jr. was taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

It's basically impossible to argue against that logic, as Daniels is the face of the franchise for the next decade-plus. With Conerly Jr. in the mix, the Commanders have a potentially stout duo at tackle and if Brandon Coleman successfully moves to guard, will have a solid-to-very-good front five once Sam Cosmi returns to full health.

The Commanders didn't have to take Conerly Jr. - they could've easily taken a guy like EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku and no one would have batted an eye. But when stepping back and surveying their immediate surroundings, on top of the general of principle of protecting Daniels at the max, it's 100% clear why they went with Conerly Jr. (outside of him being the best player on their board of course).

And that's the current state of NFC East pass rushers. In terms of divisional opponents, one would be hard-pressed to find a trio of teams with a better collection of guys who hit quarterbacks for a living. All three teams finished in the league's upper-half when it comes to sacks in 2024 and all three upgraded their pass rush groups during the draft, making the foreseeable future very interesting for Daniels and Co. 

Especially the New York Giants, who now have the potential to own the NFL's best pass rush in 2025 and beyond. It doesn't get any better than Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Darius Alexander. Then, you have the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL's best pass rusher in Micah Parsons to go along with Osa Odighizuwa and Donovan Ezieruaku. And last but certainly not least, there's Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, Moro Ojomo, and Jalyx Hunt in Philadelphia and the Eagles added rookies Ty Robinson and Jihaad Campbell (an off-ball linebacker who is really good at blitzing).

It's painfully clear that the Commanders need to put as much athletic, pass-protecting beef in front of Daniels. That's exactly what they did and the response should have the offense in a good spot in both the immediate and long-term future.