With the Commanders unable  to make the playoffs this year,  fans can still look forward to  the NFL Draft. Washington had an interesting draft this year, including trading back in the first round and drafting a possible quarterback (QB) replacement if Carson Wentz does not work out. While some players might have to sit and learn the ropes for a few years, this draft seems to be able to help Washington in the very near future.

Day 1 Picks:

At the start of day one, Washington was sitting with the 11th pick, but they eventually traded that pick to the New Orleans Saints, getting the No. 16 pick, a 2022 third round pick, and a 2022 fourth round pick. With their 16th pick, they took Jahan Dotson, a wide receiver (WR) out of Penn State. While some people might have seen this as a reach, Washington considered it their best WR still on the board after a massive run of WR’s between picks 11-13. Dotson had a very solid season in 2021 playing for Penn St., and right away fills a big need for Washington as wide receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. 

Day 2 Picks:

  With Washington having two picks during Day Two, this was a very big day for the Commanders. With their second round pick, Washington selected Phidarian Mathis, a defensive tackle (DT) out of Alabama. After the Commanders cut Matt Ioannidis, Washington was desperate for a DT. Mathis will also fit right in with fellow DT’s Jonathan Allen and Da’Ron Payne, who are also  Alabama players who have found their way to Washington. With their third round pick, Washington selected Brian Robinson, a halfback out of Alabama. With Antonio Gibson struggling with injuries in 2021, drafting Robinson is good insurance at halfback. Robinson plays a different style of halfback, being a powerback, known for running between and breaking tackles. Robinson could make a splash very early as the halfback near the goaline.

Day 3 Picks:

To close out the draft, Washington had five picks on day three. With their pick in the fourth round, Washington selected Percy Butler, safety out of Louisiana. Butler could  start right away at free safety, Bobby McCain being the only other free safety on the Commanders.. For the Commanders’ first fifth round pick, they selected Sam Howell, quarterback from North Carolina University. With most of the quarterbacks falling  far in this year’s draft, this could be an absolute steal in the fifth. Howell has great potential and could very well become a starter in the near future. With the Commanders’ second-fifth round pick, Washington selected Cole Turner, tight end out of Nevada. This pick is insurance for Logan Thomas, who has struggled with injuries the past two years. With their two-seventh round picks, Washington selected Chris Paul, a guard out of Tulsa, and Christian Holmes, a cornerback out of Oklahoma State. These two players can become very solid rotational pieces for Washington, with both filling depth needs.

With the draft wrapping up, Washington has seemed to have built a great future for the team. They now a a possible starting quarterback, a wide receiver across from Terry McLaurin, and very good role players for the team. With all of the offseason moves Washington made, they should be executing to improve upon last year.