Four first-round options for Commanders in NFL Draft
With the Washington Commanders committed to their current QB situation in 2023, and having addressed the offensive line through free agency, their most glaring need is in the secondary.
Solid options abound in the NFL Draft in the secondary for Washington with the 16th overall pick. Here are four:
Penn State's Joey Porter Jr.
Porter has been one of the most common names linked to the Commanders. In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Washington selecting Porter in the first round. Porter visited the team a few weeks ago.
The Penn State product has been described as physical, tough and aggressive, and is considered one of the best cornerbacks in the draft.
Alabama's Brian Branch
Branch is a safety, where the Commanders are better than at corner, but he is a versatile player who can also be used in the slot. He is also praised for his speed, strength and football intelligence.
Branch's draft projections vary wildly. CBSSports.com's Will Brinson has him in the top 10 in his latest mock, while others -- such as Kiper and Todd McShay -- have him falling outside the first round.
Georgia's Kelee Ringo
Ringo is a name many fans will recognize, as he was part of the Georgia team that won back-to-back national titles. The Commanders are reportedly high on him.
Ringo is only 20, so he may take time to develop in the NFL. It's possible that he could still be available for Washington on Day 2 as a number of mocks -- including Kiper's and McShay's -- have him dropping out of the first round.
Per Kiper, "Ringo looked at times like a potential top-10 pick in 2021 when he was starting as a redshirt freshman for the national champs. He took a step backward last season, however.”
Maryland's Deonte Banks
Banks has been praised for his size (6-foot, 197 pounds), length, and athleticism. He's fast, too, running the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he had a 42-inch vertical jump and a wingspan measuring a little more than 31 inches.
Banks is projected as a mid-first round pick by many pundits, but Kiper has him going 22nd and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah projects him at 24th.
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