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Adam Peters and his front-office staff are busy finalizing their shortlist heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. The Washington Commanders only have five picks after some frantic trade activity over the offseason. That piles extra pressure on those in power to make the moves needed in pursuit of enhancing the team's playoff hopes.
Clues are starting to emerge. Peters keeps things close to his chest with very few (if any) legitimate leaks emerging from the football operation. Even so, the all-important "30" visits before the draft provide subtle hints about who could be on Washington's radar.
One recent report, in particular, is something to monitor from a fan perspective.
Commanders reportedly showing interest in Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley
According to Tony Pauline from Sportskeeda, the Commanders have scheduled a 30-visit with Quincy Riley. The Louisville cornerback is going relatively under the radar compared to others in this class, but Washington — along with the Carolina Panthers — is eager to find out more about what the defensive back could potentially bring to the franchise.
Cornerback Quincy Riley, presently graded as a fourth-round prospect on my board, sat on his combine 40, but he did position drills. He looked smooth as well as explosive, and Riley himself told me he felt good. Since Louisville had five defensive backs working out Tuesday and most of the scouts in attendance had to catch flights to Columbus for Ohio State pro day Wednesday, the position drills were limited, and Riley told me he only had seven reps on the day. He has official 30 visits set with the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers.Tony Pauline
Riley plays with the sort of competitive fire Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. will love. He never backs down from a challenge and thrives on the biggest stages. This is similar — albeit with less high-caliber college production attached — to Mike Sainristil's pre-draft outlook before the Commanders took him at No. 50 overall last spring.
There is a lot to like about the way Riley goes about his business. He's an explosive, instinctive cornerback capable of turning opportunities into takeaways. He's a fluid mover who mirrors routes well with enough speed to go downfield with opposing wide receivers. The prospect is also a willing contributor against the run, although adding some extra muscle mass to cope with the physical rigors of the NFL is essential.
The Commanders have a decent cornerback quartet heading into the draft. Marshon Lattimore and Sainristl are the cornerstone pieces. Noah Igbinoghene got a deserved one-year extension after flashing in the nickel spot last season. Washington also added two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones to provide another assured presence with proven production deep into the postseason.
That will help enormously. It shouldn't stop the Commanders from adding another athletic prospect from the college ranks with longer-term potential attached. Riley ticks those boxes, but several others are also worthy of consideration higher up the board.
This is a deep draft class across multiple positions. Peters will be eager to move back from either his first or second-round pick for more assets if the right offer comes along. Whether that arrives hasn't been determined, but Riley represents a dream Day 3 option in the fourth round regardless.
More Commanders news and analysis
More must-reads:
- NFLPA reportedly under federal investigation
- Why as many as 100 NFL players are facing fines and potential suspension
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
NFLPA reportedly under federal investigation
The ongoing saga with the NFL Players Association has taken another turn, as the organization is also reportedly the subject of a federal investigation. ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler reported on Friday that there is an ongoing criminal investigation involving the NFLPA regarding potential misuse of funds and self-enrichment of union officials. A senior union attorney sent a memo to NFLPA officials this week informing them of the federal probe. The document states that the NFLPA is "now on notice of financial actions that may be criminal" and that the union faces "immediate threats requiring prompt actions," according to ESPN. While the document did not specify which individuals are part of the criminal investigation, the notice was sent days after executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. and director of strategy J.C. Tretter resigned from their positions with the NFLPA. Howell was accused of misusing union funds and faced other troubling allegations. Tretter resigned because he felt like he was left to take the heat for the scandal that has been unfolding, though he has denied any wrongdoing. The NFLPA is searching for an interim executive director. ESPN reports that the memo sent to union officials this week warns that potentially hiring an outside executive director might not be a wise move without knowing exactly how deep "the problems may be." Howell was the executive director of the NFLPA for two years.
Aaron Boone Makes Feelings Clear After Yankees’ Big Trade
The New York Yankees didn't come into the season with the strongest third base situation, and it only got worse over time. They converted traditional second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the hot corner after getting him at the Trade Deadline last season and installed a timeshare with him, DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera there in 2025. However, the latter player broke his ankle on May 12, and the Yankees released the now 37-year-old LeMahieu on July 10. Chisholm was primarily back at second at that point, so this left Peraza and Jorbit Vivas as their only true remaining third basemen. With Peraza hitting .147 and Vivas hitting .164, it was clear what the team's biggest need was. That's why it acquired veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. New York manager Aaron Boone gave his thoughts about the 30-year-old before Friday's bout with the Philadelphia Phillies, via SNY. "I know there's real offensive potential there. I know he's had real offensive success, as well as some struggles there over the last calendar year or two," he said. "It seems like over the last month he's really started swinging the bat like he's capable of. He can impact the ball, he can control the strike zone, he's had some swing-and-misses that have probably hurt him a little bit." "But then he can really defend over there," he continued. "The handful of times that we've played against them that I watch him, you're like, 'That's what it should look like over there.' He moves really well and has that prototypical good third base thing." McMahon is slashing .217/.314/.403 with 16 homers and 35 RBI over 100 games this season. He also has a .978 fielding percentage and six errors. Right-handed pitcher Will Warren (6-5, 4.91 ERA) will start for the Yankees against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.75 ERA) on Friday.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Saints playmaker made a key change this offseason that could turn him into a Pro Bowl caliber player by season's end
Training camp is the time for excitement around the NFL. Highlights begin. Players compete. Coaches learn. All at once, fans get their first glimpse of their favorite team ahead of preseason football. For the New Orleans Saints, one of their key offensive skill players is ready to make an impact and will look different doing it this season. Rashid Shaheed standing out at Saints training camp The speedster for New Orleans has burst onto the scene over the last two seasons and was set to create new personal bests last season before an injury ended his campaign. Shaheed is known for his downfield receiving ability and elite speed. He is also one of the top returners in all of football on special teams. So far in camp, he has been impressive those in attendance, including his teammates. Shaheed looks bigger (because he's added muscle). With that size, he feels a bit more comfortable in contested catch situations - without losing the dynamic of his special speed and agility. That's showing up in practice. Shaheed's added weight to try to stay healthy going forward According to the wideout himself, he added weight this offseason in an effort to stay healthier and play a bit stronger at his position. “For a guy like me, it is pretty hard to put on weight. Just implementing the speed and the weight it was important, I feel like I handled it well.” -- Shaheed via NOFNetwork Shaheed should be a major factor for the passing game in New Orleans under Kellen Moore. The young head coach likes to use unique looks and move guys around plenty. We saw that with Chris Olave in the backfield earlier in the week. I will not be surprised to see some carries or motion uses for Shaheed sometime in practice and-or games, too. You want to get the football in those guys' hands as often as possible. Not to mention, that can lighten the load on veteran running back Alvin Kamara as well. Regardless, it is clear that Shaheed is focused on staying available and active for the Saints this season. His success could be paramount for whoever wins the quarterback competition.
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