Commanders Draft Grade Addresses Glaring Void

After a giant leap forward in 2024 that ended in the NFC Championship Game, the Washington Commanders were mandated to make only incremental improvements in this week's NFL Draft.

Mission (sorta) accomplished.

This offseason the Commanders already checked a couple of boxes, by giving star quarterback Jayden Daniels help in the form of a new receiver (Deebo Samuel) and new left tackle (Laremy Tunsil). With only five picks, general manager Adam Peters chose not to trade down to acquire quantity but instead stay put and find quality.

Here's our Commanders NFL Draft report card:

Round 1 (No. 29): OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon - Not that Conerly Jr. isn't a good prospect, but it felt like - considering the blockbuster trade for Tunsil - there were more pressing needs in the first round than offensive tackle. Peters called it an "easy pick," but Washington left the first round still needing an impact edge-rusher considering the free-agency departure of 2024 leading sacker Dante Fowler Jr. Marshall's Mike Green was available, and if you want to see his potential go look up video of what he did to Conerly Jr. during Senior Bowl practices. Grade: C

Round 2 (No. 61): CB Trey Amos, Mississippi - Projected by some experts to have first-round talent, Peters says the Commanders considered taking him at No. 29. He's a rangy, athletic cornerback with excellent ball skills and who excels in press coverage. In other words, Washington now has someone other than Marshon Lattimore to cover the Philadelphia Eagles' A.J. Brown. With this move, Mike Sainristil can also move back inside to his more comfortable slot position in Nickel coverage. Grade: A

Round 4 (No. 128): WR Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech - They lost Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency, so this choice makes a ton of sense to add with a receiving corps led by Samuel, Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown and Michael Gallup. Give Daniels as many weapons as possible. Lane also excelled as a kick returner for the Hokies. Grade B+

Round 6 (No. 205): LB Kain Medrano, UCLA - Not that he's not impressive as a six-year college player and one of the strongest linebackers at the Scouting Combine, but feels like the Commanders needed a pass-rusher here more than a Bobby Wagner understudy. Grade: D

Round 7 (No. 245): RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona - We get it ... it's the seventh round and time to take gambles. But Peters spent a draft pick on a guy who played only one game in 2024. Ineligible most of his time at Arizona, before that at New Mexico Croskey-Merritt showed a burst of speed but inconsistent hands as a receiver and in pass-protection blocking. Grade: C+