Assessing the Commanders' 2023 NFL Draft needs

With the regular season nearing completion, the 2023 NFL Draft order is coming into focus.

Per Tankathon, Washington currently has the 22nd pick. The Commanders probably will pick in the late teens or early 20s, so the top prospects will be off the board. 

Whom should Commanders fans keep an eye on?

Quarterback seems like the most obvious long-term need for Washington. Taylor Heinicke is a solid player, but the Commanders need a QB with a higher upside. 

Bryce Young (Alabama), Will Levis (Kentucky) and CJ Stroud (Ohio State) are the consensus top QBs. In his first mock draft, ESPN's Todd McShay has Young going to Houston at No. 1 and Stroud to the Lions at No. 4.

The Commanders almost certainly won't get any of the top QBs, but it's possible Florida's Anthony Richardson or Tennessee's Hendon Hooker, who suffered a late-season knee injury, could fall to them.

Washington could "redshirt" a rookie for a season and hope he can develop into a franchise QB in the long run.

Offensive line may be a more immediate need. The Commanders have 37 sacks allowed, tied for seventh most in the NFL. Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr., Northwestern's Peter Skoronski and Georgia's Broderick Jones are among the offensive linemen projected to be taken in the mid- to late first round.

The Commanders also need help in the defensive backfield. Washington's safeties have played well, but cornerback needs an upgrade. Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State), Cam Smith (South Carolina) or Brian Branch (Alabama) could bolster the secondary.

The NFL Draft will be held in Kansas City from April 27-29, 2023.