SNIDER: Commanders restock, but did they rebuild?
It was a no-brainer for the Washington Commanders to take a passer with the No. 2 pick. But, the rest of the three-day draft went more for filling its many needs with prospects. And, they hedged some.
Give general manager Adam Peters a solid B in his first Commanders draft. A couple curious moments, like trading with NFC East rival Philadelphia, but also some nice blending of best player available with positional musts.
With six picks in the top 100 – the most by any team since the 1970 NFL common draft – Washington scattershot the board to find a defensive tackle, cornerback, tight end, offensive tackle, receiver, linebacker, safety and edge rusher.
Aside Daniels, it was multiple role players for a roster that makes its biggest one-season turnover since 1945. While Washington grabbed six players who were captains of their college teams, it's still relying on many veterans with one-year deals to lead the gap-year transition from 4-13 last season to possible playoff contender in 2025.
Daniels is the centerpiece – the second coming of Robert Griffin III, who, a dozen years ago, created a fan wave of Beatlemania proportions. Will past non-stop chants of RG3 turn into JD5 this summer?
A scrambling quarterback is a siren's song for NFL teams. So many want one, so few can do it and even fewer stay healthy. That is Daniels' chief task – stay healthy.
The first second-rounder was an initial head scratcher that makes sense. Taking defensive tackle Johnny Newton behind the one position already established with Daron Payne and Jon Allen was surprising. Yet, last season showed teams can never have enough depth, as Washington's defensive ends saw two traded and two hurt by midseason. If Newton is a better pass rusher than the veterans, he'll steal time.
Washington then traded down 10 spots with Philadelphia for an extra second-rounder to get nickel back Mike Sainristil and tight end Ben Sinnott. Draft experts love Sainristil, but he's still only a role player. Sinnott isn't a heavy pass threat needed. Again, two players providing limited help.
The third round was also curious in getting Texas Christian's Brandon Coleman and Rice's Luke McCaffrey. Coleman looks like the left tackle, though some feel he's a guard. The team desperately needs a left tackle with carryover Cornelius Lucas a stretch for 17 games. Maybe Coleman adjusts quickly to start before midseason. McCaffrey seems a legacy pick for his famous brother Christian and father Ed and was chosen a round or two early.
The draft was considered thin by the third day because NIL deals saw more than 100 juniors choose to remain in college. Suddenly, the NFL has a serious rival for players from colleges that can pay more for late-round picks.
Washington didn't have fourth- and sixth-round selections. It took fifth rounders in linebacker Jordan Magee and safety Dominique Hampton along with seventh-rounder Javontae Jean-Baptiste. None are expected to heavily contribute this year.
Overall, it was a solid draft by filling needs. Yet, a bad team could have used more immediate help. This class is more for 2025 or later, but then that's when the Commanders are more likely to contend, so Peters may have timed it well.
