The Washington Commanders had one of the best single-season turnarounds in recent NFL history. Thanks to an electric rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, they went from a four-win team to a berth in the NFC Championship Game.
However, with offense bearing the brunt of the load, the team needs to make a concentrated effort on defense to balance themselves out and increase their ceiling. The latest mock draft from PFSN courtesy of Brentley Weissman offers them exactly that chance.
29) Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
The Washington Commanders were rumored to have an interest in Garrett, suggesting that they believed they must improve their pass rushers. This is the sweet spot in the draft where adding a pass rusher and still getting good value makes sense.
Marshall’s Mike Green was among the best players at the Senior Bowl and helped boost his stock to the first round. He may have played at a lower competition level, but this prospect has excellent potential. As a quick and bendy edge defender, look for Green to excel on third downs early in his career.
A unit that ranked 17th on PFSN’s Defense+ metric will surely need the all help it can get, and as Weissman describes, Green is one of the best value options available at 29.
61) Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Aireontae Ersery is a mammoth of a man who is a three-year starter at left tackle for Minnesota. He has very good length and power but struggles to bend at times. He would be a nice addition to the Commanders’ offensive line as they continue to build to protect Jayden Daniels.
Some of the prowess of the offensive line of the Commanders was a reflection of the elusiveness and scrambling ability of Daniels. Still, the unit finished seventh on PFSN’s OL+ metric. But for close observers, it was clear that some improvement could be made, and in Ersery they get a player that has first-round upside.
128) Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
Another strong addition to the defense, Jonathan Jones, was a smart move, but building out the cornerback room is going to be a priority for Washington, and Cobee Bryant is one of the better available options.
Versatile and physical, he can wear many hats for an NFL team, including playing on the outside or the inside. However, he thrives as a nickel, and his excellent speed combined with his versatility should make him a productive starter from Day 1.
205) Tim Smith, DT, Alabama
After Green, the Commanders try to get some more help on their defensive line with Tim Smith out of Alabama. Extremely durable, he has a wealth of experience at the collegiate level, immediately raising his floor coming into the league.
Already a strong force against the run, his size, and versatility make him an intriguing developmental piece that could eventually blossom into a genuine difference-maker for the Commanders.
245) Antwane Wells Jr., WR, Ole Miss
Making sure Daniels had a wealth of options at his disposal was a clear priority for the Washington Commanders. They brought back Zach Ertz and Noah Brown, while also adding Deebo Samuel in a blockbuster trade.
However, there are very few raw athletes that possess the kind of speed and deep-ball prowess that makes Antwane Wells Jr. stand out. For the Rebels, he totaled 553 yards on just 28 receptions in his final collegiate year, at an absurd average of 19.8 yards per reception.
He did flash a more well-rounded game early in his career, tallying 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021 while averaging 15.1 yards per catch on his 83 receptions.
Even if he doesn’t live up to his full potential, he can be a draft-day steal for his usefulness in specific packages.