Polarizing Commanders draft pick waging all-out war on doubters

The Washington Commanders raised a few eyebrows by taking Kain Medrano at No. 205 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. He comes highly recommended, and the linebacker is eager to maximize every possible resource required to ease his transition.

Medrano has all the athleticism needed to potentially carve out a successful career for himself. The dynamic second-level force was among the strongest testers among linebackers at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. This was also reflected in his college tape at UCLA, although he remains a work in progress until further notice.

One detrimental feature of Medrano's game that caused his stock to slide was his tackling. His technique is poor, there are too many missed opportunities, and the angles he takes also need additional polish. It's a rough diamond for the Commanders to mold, but this is the best possible environment to grow.

Kain Medrano looking to progress within Commanders' healthy environment

The fledgling star already knows linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. from their time together on the Bruins. That will serve Medrano well, but the first-year pro is also going to soak up every piece of information offered by Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu — two experienced veterans who've achieved a considerable amount throughout their careers.

There's still a lot of room for me to grow. I'm just gonna go in there, ears open…and just take in the coaching, the 'scars,' like Coach [Ken] Norton would say. The scars from his years he's trying to pass on to us; the scars that Bobby [Wagner] and [Frankie] Luvu had at the beginning of their careers. They're gonna tell us that so it doesn't happen to us.Kain Medrano via Commanders.com

This is the right attitude to have. Medrano knows he's a Day 3 pick and is starting from the bottom. There's a chance to secure an important role on special teams from the moment he steps onto the field. If he can learn from Washington's coaching staff and benefit from the knowledge Wagner and Luvu bring to the table, progress should arrive swiftly.

Norton believes in Medrano. Wagner and Luvu will be around to help every step of the way. That won't guarantee success, but it's not a bad platform to build a profitable NFL career.

Tempering expectations where Medrano is concerned remains the desired outlook from a fan perspective. He's still rough around the edges despite some encouraging athletic attributes. But don't be surprised if the player's work ethic and relentless desire to be great see him eventually become a core part of the team's plans if everything goes well.

If that scenario comes to fruition, the trio of Norton, Wagner, and Luvu will be a big reason why.

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