When the NFL Draft reaches the No. 11 pick on Thursday night, the Washington Commanders suddenly awaken. Five picks to go, five options on table.
Option 1: Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid.
Option 2: Texas running back Bijan Robinson.
Option 3: Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzales.
Option 4: Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones.
Option 5: Trade down and grab a cornerback, given that position is the deepest on the board.
A quarterback? That’s next year for the new owners to relish. This season is about finding a playmaker that can save the coaches, make quarterback Sam Howell look better, and maybe help win a game or two.
Kincaid would be perfect. Washington was loaded with tight ends last year, but they were all injured barely into the season. Logan Thomas has peaked and can’t stay on the field, and his cap number makes him vulnerable.
Incoming coordinator Eric Bieniemy loved tight end Travis Kelce, so his playbook is filled with options. And, tight ends have become the X-factor and defensive backbreakers. How many times have the Commanders been brutalized by tight ends? Linebackers can’t keep up with the new generation of speed and size.
Kincaid has great speed and 50/50 skills. Washington will throw the ball more this season with Bieniemy, contrary to head coach Ron Rivera’s offseason talk of run-first offense. Sure, they will run, at least until trailing in the opener. It’s a passing league, and Kincaid adds to a solid receiving corps to mandate more passing.
But, Green Bay has eyes on Kincaid, too, so he may be gone before Washington picks. Maybe Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer is an alternative, but not at 16.
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Robinson would seem a reach at 16, but you can’t have enough playmakers. Sure, Washington has a solid runner in Brian Robinson, who reminds of Larry Brown in the 1970s. But the Commanders are short of playmakers. Really, how many do they have offensively? Terry McLaurin and? That’s why you take Robinson if Kincaid is gone.
If two offensive choices are out, return to defense and get a corner. The draft is filled with them, but Gonzales fills a hole right away. Kendall Fuller, please pick up the white courtesy phone for travel information.
Gonzales is physical and fast, and that gets you paid in the NFL. Washington needs someone to match up to top receivers, so a corner should be taken somewhere in the first two rounds.
If the first three options are gone, there’s nothing wrong with going with an offensive tackle, it’s just not as sexy a pick as if Washington was taking a Top 5 overall player like Trent Williams. At 16, the Commanders might be taking the third best tackle, and that doesn’t help Rivera’s chances of staying in 2024.
Still, Jones flashed well at the NFL Combine despite being a little raw, and he can also play guard. Rivera is all about multi-positional players, so if the New York Jets don’t take Jones at 15, Washington might.
All four gone? Turn general manager Martin Mayhew loose to trade down. There are still playmakers to be found.
Somehow, Washington needs this draft to follow last year’s solid one as a foundation of future contenders. It begins in Thursday night in Round 1.
Follow Rick Snider on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks
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