Perfect Picks: Washington Commanders
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
The Washington Football Team are no more. The Commanders are here, now in year 3 of Ron Rivera’s tenure and looking to compete again in a relatively weak NFC East. After ostensibly upgrading at QB by trading for Carson Wentz, the Commanders need to add weapons on offense and bolster an underperforming defense.
Round 1 - Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Ron Rivera told reporters last week that acquiring Carson Wentz “most definitely” changes their plans in the first round of the draft, so don’t expect a QB here. Given Curtis Samuels’ injury troubles last year and the fact that Terry McLaurin is yet to sign a long-term deal, expect Washington to pull the trigger on a WR. Jameson Williams is available and is as good as any other wideout prospect this year. If I’m Washington I consider both Ohio State prospects as well, especially if there is an opportunity to trade back.
Round 2 - Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
JD McKissic flip-flopped this offseason, originally committing to signing in Buffalo before deciding that he wanted to remain in D.C. With Antonio Gibson on the roster as well, Hall might seem a surprise pick here, but Gibson has had his injury and ball-security issues since making the transition from WR at Memphis, and Hall has an exceptional athletic profile. Another weapon for Carson Wentz.
Breece Hall is a RB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.95 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 9 out of 1519 RB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/nU6qsuhlgP #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/sUKWCGWixC
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2022
Mid Round Gem - Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
The Commanders have built front to back on their defense for a number of years now and could do with secondary depth, especially having lost Landon Collins and Deshazor Everett this off-season and with Benjamin St Juste coming off multiple concussions. McCollum ticks all the boxes aesthetically – he is tall and long, and has consistently been a ball-hawk at Sam Houston State.
Late Round Sleeper - Clarence Hicks, LB, UTSA
Linebacker play has been sub-par in Washington for years. Last year’s first round pick Jamin Davis was completely out of his depth at MIKE, a huge disappointment and scouting stain for Rivera and Jack Del Rio, both linebackers in their playing days. If they don’t address the position early they will need to take a flier in later rounds and Clarence Hicks makes a lot of sense. The 6’2, 225 backer is physical and versatile and could be great value at the tail end of the draft.
Draft In Full:
11. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
47. Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
113. Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
189. James Mitchell, TE, Virginia Tech
230. Dylan Parham, OG, Memphis
240. Clarence Hicks, LB, UTSA
