Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton. Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Commanders 'set the edge' in latest mock draft

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated Jan 24, 2025 6:47 PM ET

The Washington Commanders made great strides in 2024, but there’s always room for improvement. Just ask ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who has the Commanders taking one of the biggest defensive ends in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Washington’s defense performed much better than the unit that allowed a league-worst 388.9 yards per game last season, but as Kiper points out in his latest mock draft, the team still allowed 4.8 yards per rush this season, 28th in the league.

Kiper has the Commanders taking Nic Scourton, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive end from Texas A&M with the 29th pick in the draft. And not a moment too soon. Defensive ends Clelin Ferrell, Dante Fowler Jr. and Jalyn Holmes are all about to become free agents after combining for 79 tackles, 16 sacks and three forced fumbles in the regular season.

Purdue transfer EDGE Nic Scourton makes a big TFL for Texas A&M

(via @brentsobleski)https://t.co/BgCRJJK74Y pic.twitter.com/CTIcF9hY4y
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) October 5, 2024

Scourton made 72 tackles in two years with Purdue and led the Big Ten conference with 10 sacks in 2023. He transferred to Texas A&M last season and put up five sacks for the Aggies. Aside from teammate Shemar Stewart (290 pounds) and Oregon’s Jordan Burch (295 pounds), Scourton is the biggest edge defender among the draft’s top prospects and around 30 pounds heavier than both Ferrell and Fowler.

While Kiper appreciates his pass-rushing abilities, he’s more impressed with his skills as a run defender, saying Scourton has the strength to set an edge against the run, while noting he finished the last season with 14 tackles for loss and 11 run stops.

Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com agrees, calling Scourton a tough and physical run defender with the ability to hold his gap and prevent getting pushed back. He also believes Scourton is a fit for any system with the ability to play inside or outside on the defensive line.

No matter where he plays, Commanders fans will need to be patient with their new defensive end. Scourton will be just 20 years old when training camp begins. Still, a player with his size and ability should eventually make noise in the NFC East.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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