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Re-Grading the Washington Commanders 2025 Draft

Originally posted on Football Analysis | By Aaron Sauter | Last updated Feb 28, 2026 11:42 PM ET

Looking back at the 2025 NFL season, the Washington Commanders were easily the most disappointing team. During the 2024 season, Washington shot to the top of the NFC in their first season under head coach Dan Quinn, reaching the NFC Championship game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Naturally, the Commanders entered the 2025 season as an NFC contender; however, they finished 5-12.

Washington failed to live up to expectations due to injuries to many of its top offensive playmakers. Several of the Commanders’ offensive players spent significant time on the injured reserve list, including quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Despite a disappointing season, the Commanders had a successful, though small, haul of players in the 2025 NFL draft. With only five draft picks available, the Commanders ended up finding several valuable playmakers in their small draft class.

Washington Commander 2025 Draft Class

1	29	Josh Conerly Jr.	OT
2	61	Trey Amos	CB
4	128	Jaylin Lane	WR
6	205	Kain Medrano	LB
7	245	Jacory Croskey-Merritt	RB

Surprisingly, with only five draft picks, the Commanders were able to find several valuable players who will be cornerstone players for the next several seasons. As a first-round draft pick, offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. ended up being a Day 1 starter for Washington, but he had a rough start to the season after switching from left tackle to right tackle. However, during the 2nd half of the season, Conerly stepped up and provided outstanding pass protection for the Commanders’ quarterbacks.

In addition, the most important pick for the Commanders in 2025 was a 7th-round selection, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who led the team in rushing during his rookie season with 805 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. Cornerback Trey Amos also established himself as a significant upgrade at the cornerback position for the Commanders until he fractured his fibula in early November. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane also made an impact for the Commanders primarily as a punt returner, being the first Washington player since the 1990’s to have multiple punt returns for touchdowns in a single season.

Washington Commanders 2025 Draft Re-Grade = B

While the Washington Commanders’ 2025 draft class was not a transformative group of players, it was an efficient one, adding several valuable playmakers to their roster. The success of Conerly and Croskey-Merritt has put those players in a position to be cornerstones of the Washington offense once quarterback Jayden Daniels returns to lead it. In addition, cornerback Trey Amos should come in as an impact player on defense after he returns from his injury. If the Commanders can stack another group of young players with these players during the 2026 NFL Draft, the Commanders could quickly re-emerge as championship contenders.

Make sure that you check out, Re-Grading the Los Angeles Chargers 2025 Draft

This article first appeared on Football Analysis and was syndicated with permission.

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