The draft is a day away and with that comes my final mock draft for Washington for this year’s cycle.
As always, my draft algorithm is the player who represents the most value on the board at a position of need for the Commanders.
I will be using my draft board, which I published yesterday, along with the Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator to help with this final mock.
Draft Board:
Commanders Team Needs:
Top needs:
EDGE
Cornerback
Wide Receiver
Offensive Tackle
Running Back
Secondary needs:
Safety
Guard
Linebacker
*Kicker (not on draft board)
Round 1
Washington – TRADE
There was a trade offer on the table at pick 29…
- From Cleveland: Picks 33 and 94 for pick 29
Cleveland was looking to move back into the first round to draft Jaxson Dart. There was definitely a player I was targeting at 29, and I risked losing him if I moved back, but I looked at the teams behind me and didn’t think any of the three would take him.
Below is how round one played out on the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator.
Round 2
ROUND 2 (Pick 33) – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
I didn’t expect Simmons to be there at pick 29, and I was going to draft him there, however the trade offer from Cleveland was too enticing to pass up. For moving back just four spots, I picked up a third rounder. Based on the Rich Hill Trade Chart, this was a 19-point swing in Washington’s favor. Cleveland wanted Jaxson Dart and didn’t want another team jumping them at the end of the first round, so they paid the premium to land their QB.
I still had Ezeiruaku, Amos and Hairston on my board, so if Simmons got drafted, I would most likely have one of those to choose from.
As you can see above, the rest of round one fell like this:
Buffalo – James Pearce
Chiefs – Donovan Ezeiruaku
Eagles – Trey Amos
This left me with the player I was going to take at 29, at pick 33.
The biggest question on Simmons is his health. Had he played a full season at Ohio State, he likely would have been a top 10 pick. All reports have him well ahead of schedule and ready for camp. Picking up an offensive tackle of his caliber with the first pick in round two is a luxury. Washington’s greatest asset is quarterback Jayden Daniels and protecting him is a top priority. With Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, the Commander can slide Simmons to right tackle and move second-year lineman Brandon Coleman to left guard. This move upgrades two positions along the offensive line and adds more youth to the unit. Simmons was the top player on my board at the time of the pick.
Washington – TRADE
There was a trade offer on the table at pick 61…
- From Jacksonville: Picks 70 and 107 for picks 61 and 205
The Jaguars were looking to draft a wide receiver after taking Will Johnson in round one and Mason Taylor in round two. There were some players of interest on my board, but picking up an early fourth for moving back just nine spots was too tempting to pass up. This trade represented 11 points in Washington’s favor on the Rich Hill Trade Chart.
Round 3
ROUND 3 (Pick 70) – Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
Adam Peters set out to make the front four more sound this offseason. Adding Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman and Deatrich Wise will definitely help. What is lacking in this defense is a pass rushing presence and a “LEO” for Dan Quinn’s unit. With Stewart, the Commanders get just that.
Josaiah is a high-character, high-energy prospect who was coached very well at Michigan. It’s been said he was the toughest guy on the football team, and he brings that demeanor and energy with him every time he steps foot on the field. He’s a bit undersized at just 6’1” 249 pounds, but the former Costal Carolina transfer has produced at the highest level of college football. In 2024 he started 11 games and recorded 33 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, eight-and-a-half sacks and two forced fumbles. He was a team captain and All-Big Ten Second Team selection.
ROUND 3 (Pick 94) – Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
The 6’ 194-pound Riley has played a lot of football. He started his career at Middle Tennessee State, where he made the Conference USA All-Freshman Team and First Team All-Conference USA as a sophomore. He transferred to Louisville and went on to play 37 more games in the ACC, being recognized twice as an all-conference selection. He’s long, athletic and scheme versatile. His stock rose after a great week at the Senior Bowl, and he’ll have an opportunity to see early playing time as an outside corner in Washington.
Round 4
ROUND 4 (Pick 107) – Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
Washington needs to get more explosive at the running back position. This draft is a great one to do just that. With the early fourth we received in the trade with Jacksonville, the Commanders went with a local player from Virginia Tech with 4.32 speed and a 41” vertical. Tuten is a house-call waiting to happen whenever he touches the football. In his two seasons at Tech, after transferring from North Carolina A&T, Tuten rushed for 2,022 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding 320 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver out of the backfield. He’ll need to take better care of the football in the NFL, but if he can, Tuten may turn out to be one of the steals of the draft.
ROUND 4 (Pick 128) – Dont’e Thornton, WR, Tennessee
Washington has a need for a size/speed outside wide receiver and Thornton fits the bill. At 6’5 205 pounds, Dont’e ran an eye-opening 4.30 40. The former Oregon Duck played in 47 career collegiate games. As a senior at Tennessee in 2024, he led the team with 661 receiving yards and six touchdowns. What is even more impressive is he led the FBS with 25.4 yards per reception. He will give the Commanders a young vertical threat to pair opposite Terry McLaurin.
Round 7
ROUND 7 (Pick 245) – Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State
Washington needs a reliable kicker. Fitzgerald was one of the nation’s best. Pick 245 is a good spot to secure a young kicker instead of risking him choosing to sign with another team as an undrafted free agent.
Draft Results
Washington entered this draft with 5 total picks and just three in the first four rounds. The two trades I made netted us five total picks within the first four rounds, and I was able to take advantage of depth at EDGE, corner, running back and wide receiver. Grabbing Fitzgerald with a seventh rounder was icing on top.
Out of this crop of six players, I believe four (if we are counting Fitzgerald) will be starters (Simmons, Stewart and Riley) and two (Tuten and Thornton) will factor heavily into the rotation with future starting potential.
