Washington Commanders Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

Head coach Dan Quinn takes a shot on Green's speed late in the first round. He'd be a designated pass rusher as a rookie but could round out his game to become a starter pretty swiftly.

Grey Zabel's destined to be a guard at the NFL level, but that's not a concern. The Commanders have already traded for Laremy Tunsil but should continue adding more bodies to their offensive line to protect their young franchise quarterback.

The Commanders have been using the trade market to add to their offense, so they look to the draft to help bolster their defense. Pearce is all about speed and joins a team, defense and head coach that loves to emphasize it.

This is the position Washington needs most and the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year recorded 17.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles-for-loss over his final two seasons with the Vols. Washington GM Adam Peters values linemen with fast 10-yard splits and the sleek, 6-5 edge defender's 1.56 led all defensive ends at the combine. The rub: Character concern rumors seemingly hurt Pearce's draft stock and the 245-pounder needs more bulk to help bolster outside run lanes for the Commanders' 30th-ranked rushing defense. Trade-down attempts to replenish draft pick inventory failed. DE Nic Scourton is likely better for team chemistry and all-around fit, cornerback is another need area, and RB TreVeyon Henderson would be a blast paired with Jayden Daniels. Washington instead goes for the upside that's been lacking at the vital position since trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the 2023 trade deadline. — Ben Standig

Thomas is a long, rangy cornerback who can match up with some of the bigger receivers in the NFC East.

Nearly everything seemed to go right for the Commanders in Dan Quinn's first year as head coach, but the play at safety wasn't among them. Then-starters Jeremy Chinn (now a member of the Raiders) and Quan Martin struggled at times. Washington addressed the issue in free agency by signing Will Harris from the Saints, but should the instinctive Starks still be on the board, the Commanders would be wise to double down at the position.

More outside pass-rushing help for the Comannders [sic] with the bendy and long-armed Ezeiruaku.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels got some help by way of the Tunsil and Deebo Samuel trades, adding to an already impressive offense, but the Commanders didn't stop the run well last year. Emmanwori, who has played linebacker in the past, can help Washington have a more physically imposing defense. He can play at the line of scrimmage and back, showing tremendous athleticism at his size during the combine.

Hairston also was my projected pick for the Commanders before the combine. It makes sense. Washington is in win-now mode, and cornerback remains a question mark even after the team traded for Marshon Lattimore at the deadline last year.

The Commanders signed Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene to replace Benjamin St-Juste, but Hairston could still work his way into a starter role on the outside. He can create takeaways (six INTs over the past two seasons). And he ran a 4.28 at the combine, the fastest 40-yard dash across all positions this year. Figuring out the outside corner spots would allow Mike Sainristil to settle back into the slot, where he's at his best.

The Commanders have done a good job smoothing out their holes via free agency and trades, so they can afford to take a big swing with this pick. The 4.29 40 running Matthew Golden is just that. He would give the Commanders two vertical threats to pair with Deebo Samuel holding things down underneath.

Dan Quinn's rebuilt defense enters Year 2 with plenty more known than a year ago. The long-term outlook at safety is still a question, though. Will Harris was added in free agency and is projected to start, but the value of Starks this late in the first round would be an awesome addition to help tie the back end together.