Commanders 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft: Deebo Samuel trade edition

The Washington Commanders did more than examine potential draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine. Adam Peters was on the lookout for veteran help in the trade market, striking a deal with the San Francisco 49ers for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr.

This was another significant statement by the Commanders. They want to build on a memorable first year under the new regime. They don't want this newfound momentum to be wasted. Peters is leaving no stone unturned and striking with conviction when opportunities arise.

Samuel is a dynamic, versatile playmaker. Bouncing back from a down year is key, but the Commanders are confident a fresh challenge is just what the former second-round pick out of South Carolina needs at this stage of his career.

It did not cost the Commanders much to see what Samuel could bring to Kliff Kingsbury's offense. A fifth-round selection was enough compensation to seal the deal. If the wideout manages to regain his Pro Bowl-caliber production with quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels leading the charge, it's got absolute steal written all over it.

Commanders must maximize every NFL Draft resource after Deebo Samuel trade

Parting ways with another draft pick was a risk Peters deemed acceptable. However, it further diminished the draft assets at Washington's disposal in 2025.

The Commanders have six selections across the seven rounds. There's a good chance Peters gets more capital in some capacity, perhaps by trading down at some stage or finding a trade partner for veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. But make no mistake, Peters will not be happy with the current number.

Peters wants to build through the draft. There's an urgent need to maximize Daniels' rookie contract with Washington's Super Bowl window open, so finding the right balance is crucial. Fortunately for fans, they are no longer apprehensive about the future.

There is hope. They have complete faith in Peters and the front office to make the moves needed for short-term success while also keeping an eye on the bigger picture. He's always thinking two steps ahead, and the Commanders are better off for it.

If Samuel's arrival is any indication, this is going to be another fascinating and enthralling recruitment period for the Commanders. If Peters can find the right quality to fit seamlessly into the team's improved culture, the better Washington's chances will be in 2025 and beyond.

Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders might approach their 2025 NFL Draft selections in our post-Samuel trade and combine mock.

Commanders draft Derrick Harmon

• Defensive Line | Oregon Ducks
• Round No. 1 | Pick No. 29

The Washington Commanders are preparing for life without Jonathan Allen. His trade request was granted by the franchise heading into the final year of his deal. It's the right time, even if it leaves a gaping hole on the field and in the locker room.

Allen's production waned over the last two years, but his leadership remained exceptional. The Commanders have Daron Payne and Johnny Newton to pick up the slack, which won't be enough if Washington wants to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles moving forward.

With the Commanders finding their No. 2 wideout via trade, general manager Adam Peters would probably like to trade down from No. 29 overall. The talent drops off after the first 15 picks and the value can be found later. Moving back for extra capital is something the front-office leader will strongly consider if the right offer comes along.

This is a deep draft class for defensive linemen if the Commanders want to find a long-term replacement for Allen. Derrick Harmon is gaining momentum at the right time. His display of athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine cemented his status as a first-round possibility.

The testing matches Harmon's tape, which is always important. He's disruptive and makes plays consistently against double teams. But again, trading back is the preferred option.

Commanders draft Jonah Savaiinaea

• Offensive Line | Arizona Wildcats
• Round No. 2 | Pick No. 61

If the Commanders want to compete with the Eagles and go toe-to-toe with their division rivals, they must fortify the trenches. This became a glaring reason behind their demise in the NFC Championship game and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

The offensive line should get more tweaks. Their starting five performed well when healthy, but the wear and tear took its toll as the campaign wore on. Depth was a major issue, especially on the interior. That won't have gone unnoticed by Adam Peters during his roster assessment.

With stud right guard Sam Cosmi set to miss most if not all of the 2025 campaign with a torn ACL, Peters needs to pivot accordingly. Free agency will be explored, but Jonah Savaiinaea comes with enough promise to warrant consideration if he's still available in the second round.

Savaiinaea spent most of his college career as an offensive tackle but projects to be a better interior presence in the pros. He's a master at gaining leverage and keeping it, making him a difficult proposition to overcome in pass protection. His strong upper body and wide base allow him to hold his own against the run for good measure.

Whether it's on the edge or at one of the guard spots, Savaiinaea is a potential day-one starter with long-term upside.

Commanders draft Kyle Kennard

• Edge Rusher | South Carolina Gamecocks
• Round No. 3 | Pick No. 79

Finding players capable of generating pressure consistency is essential for the Washington Commanders this offseason. Dorance Armstrong Jr. and perhaps seventh-round pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste are the only two edge players likely to return. Adam Peters needs more firepower to get this team over the hump.

Trading for Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett couldn't be ruled out. The Commanders would be innocent bystanders during the draft if they pulled this off, which seems unlikely when one considers the AFC North club's stance despite the player's eagerness to take his chances elsewhere.

It's a deep class for pass-rushers, so one or two will fall through the cracks. That could work in the Commanders' favor if they play the waiting game.

Kyle Kennard put together a solid if not spectacular NFL Scouting Combine performance. He didn't blow anybody away, but the numbers were respectable. The same went for his efforts over Senior Bowl week, so trusting the tape provides a better window of what the South Carolina prospect can do in the pros.

Kennard's intelligence is something you can't measure. He's great at deciphering plays quickly and exploding to the contact point. Finding better counter moves and improving strength is only going to help his cause.

Commanders draft Ja'Corey Brooks

• Wide Receiver | Louisville Cardinals
• Round No. 6 | Pick No. 207

Waiting from No. 79 overall down to No. 207 won't happen. Too much talent will go elsewhere and Adam Peters isn't going to let that unfold in front of his eyes. The importance of acquiring more picks in the mid-rounds in a draft like this cannot be overstated.

We aren't doing mock trades (not yet, anyway). Despite the trade for Deebo Samuel Sr., the Commanders could still use another wide receiver with only Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey under contract along with the new arrival.

Ja'Corey Brooks is an interesting prospect at this stage of the draft. The Louisville prospect has good length at 6-foot-2, although adding some extra muscle mass is only going to assist his cause. He's got the ability to stretch the field and track the football extremely well. The player also displayed tremendous resolve to bounce back from injury at Alabama to enhance his stock with a new program.

Brooks boasts enough versatility to be deployed anywhere across the line of scrimmage. Some work on his route technique is needed, especially against press coverage versus NFL-caliber cornerbacks. Even so, the wideout comes with untapped potential that could become something more in the right fit.

And what prospect entering the league wouldn't want to learn from McLaurin and Samuel in this scenario?

Commanders draft Dylan Sampson

• Running Back | Tennessee Volunteers
• Round No. 7 | Pick No. 238

Seventh-round picks are always a crapshoot. Unearthing diamonds at this stage of the draft is a bonus. Expecting miracles isn't how fans should approach any prospect taken this far down the board.

There's a growing belief that the Washington Commanders will add to their running back room this offseason. The free-agent market is slim pickings, so examining a deep draft class represents the best and most cost-effective solution.

The Commanders will have Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler around in the final year of their respective deals. Given the regression and injury issues last season, adding another potentially dynamic piece is almost guaranteed at some point.

Finding value could be the best approach, especially given the need to fortify the trenches. Free agency will provide the clues, but Dylan Sampson represents value here.

Why Sampson is being largely overlooked is bemusing. He was sensational for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2024, accumulating 1,491 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns to win SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He also added 20 receptions for 143 receiving yards on the ground.

Sampson isn't the biggest. Even so, he's got enough quality traits to become impactful at the NFL level. He's explosive, has outstanding contact balance, and boasts the vision to turn the smallest gaps into big gains.

If Sampson is still around at this stage, which will be jaw-dropping, the Commanders could pull the trigger.

Commanders draft Jalin Conyers

• Tight End | Texas Tech Red Raiders
• Round No. 7 | Pick No. 250

The Commanders might need another tight end depending on what unfolds in free agency. Veteran Zach Ertz is out of contract and looking for a new deal. His production in 2024 warrants another go-around, but time is of the essence before the Pro Bowler is permitted to speak with other teams.

John Bates is also a free agent and could get interest from elsewhere thanks to his blocking exploits. Ben Sinnott remains an unknown heading into his second season. The same goes for undrafted free agent Colson Yankoff. Finding a contingency plan to raise urgency wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.

As previously mentioned, seventh-round picks rarely take the league by storm. Jalin Conyers might turn out to be a wasted choice, but he's got enough physical attributes to potentially mold into something more with the correct development.

Conyers understands how to get open. He's a quick mover out of his cuts. There's enough strength to work as an in-line tight end and enough athleticism to be a slot option when the situation dictates. The Texas Tech prospect is dangerous in the open field. He's also an underrated blocker, especially on running plays.

If Conyers makes it this far, the Commanders could do far worse.

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