The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.
The Washington Commanders have the chance to add one of the top players in the 2025 draft with the 29th overall pick, and improving their roster starts with deciding what they should do with that pick.
As it currently stands, the Commanders will enter general manager Adam Peters' second draft with five picks. Peters, who drafted nine players in 2024, set a high standard for success moving forward, as the entire class -- plus two undrafted free agents -- made the 53-man roster last season. NFL.com's deputy editor of written content Gennaro Filice gave the Commanders' class the best grade in the league, saying "it's a brand new day for football in the nation's capital."
The Commanders will face different challenges in the 2025 draft, but their moves in free agency and trading for players like Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil give them the flexibility to take the best player available or address a need. Although Peters feels good about the current personnel on the roster, there are still plenty of positions to address, from edge rusher to cornerback and offensive line.
In preparation for the draft, Commanders.com will look at 10 players who the Commanders could draft in each round they have a pick, based on the analysts we have covered in our Mock Draft Monday series. We're wrapping things up with the first round, where the Commanders pick No. 29 overall.
- Josh Conerly Jr., T, Oregon: "PROTECT JAYDEN DANIELS AT ALL COSTS," Filice wrote. "Third-round pick Brandon Coleman acquitted himself quite well as a rookie left tackle, but Washington would be wise to keep building a wall around the exhilarating new face of the franchise." -- Gennaro Filice, NFL.com
- Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky: "Hairston has terrific awareness in coverage, and his recognition skills and speed allow him to get to the ball before it arrives." -- Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
- Matthew Golden, WR, Texas: "The Commanders' receiver room could be undergoing an enticing makeover, with the trade for Deebo Samuel being the first move. Golden would be a tremendous addition, fitting well alongside Samuel and WR1 Terry McLaurin." -- Charles Davis, NFL Network
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College: "Donovan Ezeiruaku, the 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year whose 16.5 sacks were the second most in the nation, could be a nice fit. He showcased a steady dose of explosion off the ball at the combine." -- CBS Sports, Garrett Podell
- Malaki Starks, S, Georgia: "Washington addressed the issue in free agency by signing Will Harris from the Saints, but should the instinctive Starks still be on the board, the Commanders would be wise to double down at the position." FOX Sports' Rob Rang
- James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee: "The 6-foot-5, 243-pounder is still…an explosive, productive pass rusher with a pair of first-team All-SEC honors under his belt. Pearce is a pure speed rusher with tremendous burst, and he totaled 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons." -- Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick
- Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina: "The Commanders added veteran defensive back Will Harris in free agency to replace Jeremy Chinn, but Emmanwori could have some appeal to their defensive staff, given Dan Quinn's history of using safeties in creative ways." -- ESPN's Field Yates
- Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina: "This might feel like a luxury pick given the Commanders' needs elsewhere, but they would have some serious horsepower on offense with the addition of Hampton. He has been a star of the draft process coming off the backs of a dominant season running the ball for UNC." -- Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice and Charles McDonald
- JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State: "Maybe the most underrated player in this draft class. Tuimoloau joins Dan Quinn's defensive front as a hard-nosed and productive talent." -- NFL.com's Marc Ross
- Shemar Steward, EDGE, Texas A&M: "Stewart's draft stock is hard to predict. As I mentioned earlier, I considered him for Cincinnati at No. 17. He comes off the board here, 12 spots later. It's the same dilemma that GMs will be struggling with on draft night. Stewart has all the talent in the world -- speed, explosiveness and power. But he also had 4.5 sacks over three seasons. If an NFL coaching staff can help him put it all together, the upside is immense." -- ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.
