2025 Draft Grade: BMy grade on the Skins' haul itself is a solid 'B.' If I factor in the three trades that left the franchise bereft of Draft picks (OT Laremy Tunsil, WR Deebo Samuel, CB Marshon Lattimore), this grade would be an easy 'A.' Yes, I am a believer in building through the Draft, but Washington has a 3ish-year window with an elite QB on a rookie contract and they need to try to build quickly for that window. It's a tough needle to thread, but if Adam Peters can bring in the right amount of veteran help while infusing young talent through the Draft, Washington will be long-term contenders.
Washington wanted an EDGE player in the first round, but they were wiped out by the time their pick came around. OT Josh Conerly is a fantastic pick as it makes two spots on your offensive line better and provides an upgraded Band-Aid at guard while Sam Cosmi is out. Effectively, the Commanders have massive upgrades at both tackle spots and can slide the promising Brandon Coleman inside where he should thrive. In the second round, CB Trey Amos-who could've easily been a first-round pick-has length and ability in press-man which is something Dan Quinn's defense sorely lacked.
Day 3 was a mixed bag for Washington. The team seems to be excited about the uber-talented LB Kain Medrano, but a WR converting to LB is a rare feat for a reason. WR Jaylin Lane should fill the spot vacated by the surprisingly productive 2024 version of Dyami Brown. Lane wasn't asked to run real routes in the terrible Virginia Tech offense, so if he can become a nuanced route-runner, he could be a steal in the 4th round. RB
'Bill' Croskey-Merritt is an interesting pick only because he would've been a 3rd/4th round pick if it wasn't for a wonky eligibility decision.
Looking ahead - 2026 Draft Despite the amazing run to the NFC Championship game, Washington's roster is full of holes. Adam Peters did an exemplary job last year signing players to one-year deals in the 2024 offseason, and he has a bunch of players on expiring contracts this year as well. Look for the team to address EDGE first and foremost, as the defensive line is currently a hodgepodge of middling players.
Assuming Lattimore doesn't have a sudden re-birth on the outside, I think Quinn will want to grab another corner as well. On offense, a playmaking TE to step in after Zach Ertz and a more dynamic back than Brian Robinson will also be targets. Hey, let's just be happy QB isn't listed on here for the second year in a row!
-Kennedy Paynter, Senior Draft Analyst