While this Washington Commanders 2023 NFL Mock Draft doesn’t see them add a quarterback of the future, they do set their roster up to support whoever takes the starting QB mantle next season. In these scenarios, trades were active among others via the Mock Draft Simulator, but the Commanders held steady and did not make any moves.
Latest Washington Commanders 2023 NFL Mock Draft
Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern | Round 1, Pick 16
Ideally, Washington adds a quarterback in Round 1 to escape the pit of ambiguity at quarterback. But once again, under Ron Rivera, the Commanders played themselves out of QB range in Round 1 by hovering around mediocrity. So they’ll have to settle for the next best thing.
Assuming Washington rolls with Sam Howell or pursues a veteran QB, they’ll need to solidify the trenches. Peter Skoronski allows them to do that, both with his high-level ability and projected positional versatility. Play Skoronski at tackle or guard, and he should be able to keep things steady.
Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State | Round 2, Pick 47
Logan Thomas gave the Commanders relief at tight end in 2020. But since his breakout season, he’s regressed and struggled to stay healthy. Thomas turns 32 years old this offseason, so perhaps Washington should keep an eye out for his presumptive replacement.
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Tucker Kraft could be a very exciting addition at tight end in Thomas’ stead. At 6’5″, 255 pounds, Kraft has great size and density, and he’s a great athlete in space with a strong RAC element. He’s also an elite blocker and can help pave open space for Washington’s arsenal of weapons.
Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin | Round 4, Pick 115
Center hasn’t been a need for Washington for some time. But Chase Roullier is struggling to stay healthy more and more, and he could ultimately be a cap casualty this offseason. If Washington moves on from Roullier, they’ll have to find his replacement in the 2023 NFL Draft.
It’s a deep center class, but the center prospect with the most raw upside might be Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann. He’s a massive 6’6″ blocker who acquires leverage surprisingly well for his size. He’s extremely explosive in space and powerful in close quarters.
Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State | Round 5, Pick 147
Washington has five linebackers listed as free agents this offseason, including Cole Holcomb and Jon Bostic. Linebacker has been a need year in and year out for the Commanders, and while Jamin Davis showed signs of growth in 2022, they still need more.
Alongside Davis, Daiyan Henley could provide the necessary utility for Washington. Henley is well-sized at 6’2″, 232 pounds, with high-end explosiveness and twitch coming downhill. He flourishes as a SAM linebacker, relentlessly attacking in the box, but he has upside in coverage, too.
Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State | Round 6, Pick 179
Cornerback isn’t as much of a need as it was first believed to be for Washington. For the time being, Kendall Fuller is still playing well. Benjamin St-Juste is a rising player on the other side, and Danny Johnson quietly played at a high level down the stretch, potentially earning a chance to re-sign.
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That said, CB is one premier position where you’re never ill-advised to add more young talent. Julius Brents gives Washington a moldable ball of clay to develop behind the scenes. He’s an outrageously long defender at 6’4″, 200 pounds, with impressive burst and short-area athleticism for his size.
Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green | Round 7, Pick 211
The offseason process could bode well for Karl Brooks and ultimately elevate him out of this range. But if Brooks lasts to late Day 3, the Commanders would be well-served to add him to their interior rotation.
It’s expected that Daron Payne comes back, but more pass-rushing depth is a must. Pass-rushing depth is exactly what Brooks provides. He’s an athletic, versatile lineman at 6’4″, 300 pounds, with proven production over the past two seasons. Across 2021 and 2022, Brooks logged 17.5 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss for Bowling Green — numbers that confirm his disruptive ability.