Commanders 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft: Dream scenario edition

Adam Peters is locking in on making a success of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Washington Commanders set the table nicely throughout the offseason. Another profitable crop of college prospects will be a major asset as the organization looks to build on an immensely positive campaign.

Peters has just five selections at his disposal currently. The Commanders got active in the trade market as they went all-in around quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels. This was the correct call to make in the circumstances, but it makes life more difficult when the draft rolls around.

The Commanders are in safe hands. Peters worked wonders over his first year at the helm. He gutted the roster and made them a force to be reckoned with once again. And now, the future couldn't be brighter.

There's no doubt Peters would consider moving back if the right offer came along. The higher it is, the more Washington will get in return. If one of the quarterback-needy teams wants to move up for the luxury of a fifth-year option, the Commanders should be open for business.

Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how things might unfold for the Commanders in our latest seven-round mock draft.

Commanders trade down from No. 29 in 7-round NFL mock draft

Commanders draft Kaleb Johnson

• Running Back | Iowa Hawkeyes
• Round No. 2 | Pick No. 48

The Miami Dolphins moved back and wanted to move up again in this scenario. Adam Peters was only too happy to oblige, gaining second and seventh-round picks this year, coupled with a 2026 third-rounder.

This represents a difficult offer to turn down. The 2025 NFL Draft isn't loaded with elite-level prospects. However, it's a class where starters can be found across the board if you know where to look.

Adding another running back should be high on the Washington Commanders' priority list. Peters kept faith with last season's options throughout the offseason. But with Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. all out of contract next year, a long-term solution must be found.

Kaleb Johnson might not be the quickest running back to emerge from the college ranks, but his on-field vision and creativity are nothing short of exceptional. He's compact, absorbs contact well, and plays with relentless physicality that's hard not to love. His footwork allows the Iowa prospect to make people miss, which also comes in handy in tighter red-zone windows.

Johnson is a high-effort player who fits the mold of what the Commanders look for. This would be an outstanding addition next to Jayden Daniels in the backfield.

Commanders draft Jayden Higgins

• Wide Receiver | Iowa State Cyclones
• Round No. 2 | Pick No. 51

The Washington Commanders might not have the biggest need for the wide receiver position. That won't stop Adam Peters from adding another weapon for quarterback Jayden Daniels if he feels like value can be had.

Acquiring Deebo Samuel Sr. via trade from the San Francisco 49ers provides intrigue in abundance. Noah Brown and K.J. Osborn were re-signed. The Commanders also brought Michael Gallup out of retirement, which could see him become a decent contributor if he adjusts well. There's also the small matter of Terry McLaurin's presence to factor into the equation.

Jayden Higgins is a tempting proposition in the second round. The Iowa State prospect knows how to get open. He's a route technician with the speed to stretch the field. He does all this with a 6-foot-4 frame that allows him to put his wide wingspan to good use.

Higgins has the body control to make things happen in tight windows. He's versatile enough to play anywhere along the line of scrimmage, and his red-zone prowess will be a major tool for an NFL team to call upon. Other pressing needs like edge rusher and cornerback could take priority, but there is a notable drop-off in this wide receiver class after Day 2.

That makes Higgins a risk worth taking.

Commanders draft Bradyn Swinson

• Edge Rusher | LSU Tigers
• Round No. 2 | Pick No. 61

Finding an explosive edge rusher is among Washington's biggest objectives during the draft. Adam Peters brought in a couple of proven veterans in free agency, but nothing to move the needle all that much.

Dante Fowler Jr. is no longer around after joining the Dallas Cowboys. Giving defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. an added injection of energy can only help. And one of Jayden Daniels' former college teammates represents a ton of value at this stage of the selection process.

Bradyn Swinson is coming off a stellar campaign with the LSU Tigers, gaining 8.5 sacks and propelling himself into Day 2 consideration. He's always had the physical tools to be impactful. It took a while, but NFL teams finally got a taste of what's to come last time around.

Swinson boasts an explosive first step and enough bend to get around opposing offensive tackles with ease. His speed to power move is difficult to stop. This is matched by relentless energy, an array of pass-rushing moves, and superb hand placement that cannot be overlooked.

The trajectory is pointing up for Swinson, and the ceiling is high. Washington could do far worse than look in his direction if they are still seeking edge-rushing help at No. 61 overall.

Commanders draft Quincy Riley

• Cornerback | Louisville Cardinals
• Round No. 4 | Pick No. 128

The Washington Commanders could still use one more cornerback to round off their rotation. Speculation around a bombshell trade for All-Pro Jalen Ramsey seems far-fetched. If Adam Peters is considering another option, it'll probably come via the college ranks.

Marshon Lattimore and Mike Sainristil are cemented as the outside tandem as things stand. The Commanders signed Jonathan Jones in free agency, who'll be used in the slot more often than not. Noah Igbinoghene re-signed on a one-year deal after the best campaign of his professional career by a considerable margin.

Those in power have taken a keen interest in Quincy Riley throughout their comprehensive pre-draft assessments. They've met several times with the Louisville standout. Looking at his athletic traits and proven production, it's not hard to see why.

Riley has NFL-caliber fluidity. He's an instinctive player with exceptional ball skills. This makes him a potential turnover machine in the right fit, provided he's allowed to develop further before significant responsibilities come his way.

The Commanders have that luxury with the options available. Learning from the likes of Lattimore and Jones would be a dream come true for Riley, but his play strength must improve before confidence in his aspirations grows.

Commanders draft Kaimon Rucker

• Edge Rusher | North Carolina Tar Heels
• Round No. 6 | Pick No. 205

If the Commanders pick up another defensive end earlier in the draft, identifying a versatile chess piece to move around and create mismatches could be a shrewd move later in the draft. If Adam Peters gets more picks, this possibility increases exponentially.

Someone like Kaimon Rucker fits the mold. The North Carolina prospect is going relatively under the radar compared to others. This is thanks in no small part to his lack of legitimate NFL size and length, which has significantly dented his stock.

Rucker isn't the prototypical edge rusher. However, he's the sort of prospect that head coach Dan Quinn's had success with previously from a physical standpoint.

He won't be a player who can make things happen with his hand in the dirt. Rucker isn't built for that. But if the Commanders find ways to maximize his explosiveness and enhanced pass-rushing skill set, Washington might be onto something.

This would probably be specifically saved for pass-rushing situations. Rucker struggles to shed blocks against the run and gets lost in a crowd too often. That limits his upside in the pros, but it wouldn't be costing the Commanders much to find out for sure at this stage of the draft.

Commanders draft Tyler Cooper

• Offensive Line | Minnesota Golden Gophers
• Round No. 7 | Pick No. 224

The Washington Commanders pulled off one landmark splash along their offensive line this offseason. Perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil can be a game-changer for the protection in front of quarterback Jayden Daniels. This will result in position switches for others, but the production should rise considerably thanks to his presence.

Washington's offensive line looks solid enough, especially if Brandon Coleman makes a smooth transition to the right-hand side. Even so, general manager Adam Peters won't be settling by any stretch of the imagination.

It's always a good idea to keep adding to the depth chart. The Commanders could draft an offensive tackle much sooner. They could also wait to solidify the interior with an intriguing development project further down the pecking order.

Tyler Cooper is worth gambling on in the seventh round. The Minnesota prospect is a little raw technically and doesn't boast a significant amount of starting experience over his four college campaigns. His downturn in production last season with the Golden Gophers also represents a concern that must be alleviated.

Cooper has some decent athleticism to call upon. There is a lot of hard work ahead, but the flashes alone suggest some untapped promise remains if he lands in the right fit.

Commanders draft Glendon Miller

• Safety | Maryland Terrapins
• Round No. 7 | Pick No. 245

The Commanders have some slight concerns in their safety room entering the draft. Adam Peters let Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency, replacing him with Will Harris. Washington's depth doesn't look especially good either, although there's hope Tyler Owens can make a bigger impression after doing enough to make the 53-man roster in 2024.

It wouldn't be a great shock to see the Commanders add another safety at some stage, perhaps even sooner than their final selection. In this scenario, they take a swing with Glendon Miller, who is an unpolished prospect with a relatively high ceiling if everything comes together.

Miller is instinctive, versatile, and physical. There's also a lot to like about the Maryland prospect's hard-hitting forcefulness against the run to further enhance his influence.

These are traits the Commanders covet heavily in their secondary, but there is some development needed before Miller gains reps on the defensive rotation. His aggressiveness can sometimes be his undoing, so learning how to be more disciplined and take calculated risks is only going to assist his cause.

Miller has the length and size to mix it up in coverage, even if he is technically flawed right now. All his problems have easy fixes if the right effort and attitude is displayed.

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