Ben Standig joined The Team 980 as he often does, this time with Doc Walker & Scott Jackson filling in for Kevin Sheehan Friday, and shortly after the Sports Junkies had discussed the idea of the Commanders moving down in the Draft after GM Martin Mayhew’s comments Thursday, Standig agreed that sliding back from No. 16 might be their best move.
“I think saying you want to move back is always a pretty safe call, but when you look at the board and what may be there at 16, what their needs are, and what is likely to be available if they drop down, I really do think that is the best move for them,” Standig said. “If there are certain players there, you take them, but that may not be the case, and there’s a lot of positions they need further down in the draft – so to add other value picks would be a good way to go without losing too much talent value.”
If they do stand pat, Standig thinks offensive line or cornerback will likely be the pick, and both he and Doc have often landed on the same name: Tennessee’s Darnell Wright.
“He’s who I’ve been sort of circling when I’ve done various mock drafts; he always seems to be where I’m landing. He had a tremendous year and looks like a much better fit on the right side,” Standig said. “I asked Ron (Rivera) yesterday if Andrew Wylie could play guard instead of right tackle if the board works out right, and they downplayed it – but not only does the line have to get better, they have to get some real upside talent there, and Wright or one of the other tackles could give that to you. I think if you move Wylie inside and Cosmi to guard, which is already happening, all of a sudden that line looks a lot more potent if Eric Bieniemy is cool with that.”
It could be any sort of defensive back at 16, Standig says, because there’s “no obvious third corner, and fifth defensive back is the one spot on the starting 22 where we don’t know who will be that person.” And beyond that? Tight end could be there, linebacker is thin…so don’t count out edge rusher?
“I know it kind of sounds insane, but until they tell us they’re picking up Chase Young’s option, I can’t assume they will, and if they don’t, it’s likely they lose either him or Montez Sweat after this season,” Standig said. “If they think a guy like Lukas Van Ness from Iowa is there, he’s a wrecker, and that would be pretty interesting. But other than defensive tackle or wide receiver, they’re pretty open – and even if one of the top quarterback falls, you have to think about that.”
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