The Cinderella story of the 2024 season, the Washington Commanders exceeded all expectations by reaching the NFC Championship Game. However, Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn won’t be sneaking up on anyone this time, putting the pressure on the Commanders to nail the 2025 NFL Draft. Let’s break down and grade each of Washington’s picks.
Looking for all 32 teams’ draft grades? Head to our 2025 NFL Draft Grades for All 32 Teams Tracker to see how we’ve graded other drafts.
Overall Commanders Draft Grade: A-
The Commanders didn’t have an abundance of capital in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they used the capital they had fairly well. Bolstering the offensive line will always be a fruitful move, and Josh Conerly Jr. gives the Commanders both high physical upside and flexibility with the other personnel. Trey Amos was one of the best value additions on Day 2, as he grants Washington early starting ability and schematic versatility.
On Day 3, the Commanders only had three selections, but they still managed to add a dynamic playmaker in Jaylin Lane, an athletic coverage linebacker in Kain Medrano, and a potential gem at RB in Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The Commanders can expect immediate returns from their early-round picks, and the late-rounders have potential, too.
It’ll be up to Washington to shuffle their line the right way, but a starting lineup of Tunsil-Coleman-Biadasz-Cosmi-Conerly can dominate the line of scrimmage, and help Jayden Daniels and the offense take yet another leap in 2025.
Grades for Every Commanders” Draft Pick
- Round 1, Pick 29
Josh Conerly Jr., OT | Oregon
Grade: B
The Washington Commanders were a team many penciled in as an EDGE suitor, and they had several compelling options still on the board. However, instead of addressing the defense, the Commanders chose to solidify the other side of the trenches with Josh Conerly Jr.
From a player and value standpoint, there’s nothing wrong with the Conerly pick. He’s a plus athlete with a natural feel for the technical elements of tackle play. He has smooth footwork, a light base, and active hands while matching. He also has an exceptional range as a blocker in space.
As long as he continues to build his play strength, Conerly should be able to fill in as a starter at right tackle. However, it’s fair to question whether Washington truly needed this with Brandon Coleman, a similarly talented OT who sometimes flashed promise in his rookie campaign.
The selection of Conerly suffocates Coleman’s development, but it also amplifies the strengthening of the team’s offensive line with Laremy Tunsil Jr. – and insulates Jayden Daniels’ protection.
- Round 2, Pick 61
Trey Amos, CB | Ole Miss
Grade: A
The Commanders enter 2025 in a bit of a transition state on defense. Washington has invested most of its resources this offseason on offense, leaving the organization needing some long-term building blocks on the other side of the ball. Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos should represent one of those foundational pieces if he hits on his potential, making for an intriguing perimeter duo with Marshon Lattimore.
Amos may not be the cleanest tackler, but he profiles as a prototypical boundary corner physically (6’1”, 195 pounds) and comes with a proven track record of excellent coverage against SEC competition.
His ability to play man coverage should fit in with the Commanders, but his movement and processing skills allow him to excel in zone as well. Amos’ arrival could allow Mike Sainristil to move back into the slot, where he mostly played at Michigan.
- Round 4, Pick 128
Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
Grade: B+
The Commanders continue to invest in building a long-term infrastructure around Jayden Daniels. That could leave the defense shorthanded for 2025, but with Luke McCaffrey the only wideout under contract past this season, adding another receiver was always a likely step in this draft.
Jaylin Lane is undersized at 5’9” and 191 pounds, but brings 4.34 speed and averaged 12.5 yards per reception during his five-year collegiate career. Lane isn’t just a burner, though, as he showed sharp coverage recognition and route-running on option routes. That gives him developmental upside, and his punt return experience adds special teams value as well.
- Round 6, Pick 205
Kain Medrano, LB | UCLA
Grade: A - Round 7, Pick 245
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB | Arizona
Grade: A