The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is nearly here, which means scouts, general managers and media members will converge in Indianapolis to evaluate this year's crop of college prospects.

That includes the Washington Commanders, who are slated to pick 29th in the first round. GM Adam Peters is tasked with improving a roster that finished 12-5 in the regular season and advanced to the NFC Championship last season. Peters and his staff did a good job of injecting the team with talent during his first season, but multiple needs still need to be addressed on both sides of the ball.

In preparation for the combine, Commanders.com will be looking at some of the top prospects on offense and defense. After covering the offensive prospects, we're moving on to the defense.

Top prospects available (according to Daniels Jeremiah's Top 50)

EDGE: Abdul Carter (1st overall)

Carter was one of the best defensive players in the country last season with 52 total pressures and a pass-rush grade of 92.4, which ranked second for his position according to Pro Football Focus. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Carter is explosive, rushes with intensity and can wreck offensive game plans.

DT: Mason Graham (4th overall)

You would be hard-pressed to find a better defensive tackle than Graham last season. He received the highest overall grade for his position from PFF and had 34 total pressures as a defensive tackle. He has a good feel for how to read blocks, shed offensive linemen and make plays. He should be an instant contributor as a first-round pick.

LB: Jihaad Campbell (13th overall)

Campbell's mixture of experience makes him an intriguing prospect in this year's talent pool. He started as an edge defender at Alabama but moved to linebacker, where he played as a pass-rusher and off the ball. He'll need to smooth out some of his skill set to succeed in the NFL, but his athleticism and speed ensure he has the tools to be an impact player at some point.

CB: Travis Hunter (2nd overall)

There have been few players in college football history who offer Hunter's level of dynamic skill set. Although some teams will certainly try to use him on offense, he is entering the combine as a cornerback. Hunter brings a natural, instinctive feel to the position and possesses rare playmaking ability, regardless of where he's playing on the field.

S: Nick Emmanwori (21st overall)

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared Emmanwori to Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn, and much of that is based on their shared physical style. Emmanwori is capable of playing deep but might be better suited near the line of scrimmage, where he can be a more effective presence in the run game.

Washington's positions of need: CB, EDGE

The Commanders gave up part of their draft capital to acquire Marshon Lattimore last season, and he will be part of their plans for the position for the foreseeable future. Mike Sainristil showed growth as an outside corner as a rookie and should be more involved in Year 2. However, it's clear that the defense still needs more help at that spot, regardless of whether the team decides to bring back Benjamin St-Juste. Both the draft and free agency will be light on high-end talent, but it's possible the Commanders could find depth by adding one or two players.

Dorance Armstrong had a strong season but only signed a one-year deal with Washington last offseason. Similarly to cornerback, though, the Commanders could do with more help at the position regardless of whether Armstrong re-signs with them. There will be more options in the draft, and many analysts are predicting that the Commanders will use their first-round pick to bolster their pass rush.

One player to watch: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Pearce certainly has the talent to be an effective NFL pass-rusher. He's explosive and powerful, which led to him recording 17 sacks in his final two seasons with the Volunteers. He'll need to bulk up a little bit to be a bigger presence in the run game, but his quickness and ability to get around blockers should help him become an immediate contributor to a team's pass rush.