The views and opinions expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of the team.
Thanks to moves in free agency, Washington went into the 2025 Draft knowing it had the flexibility take best player available or address specific needs. The best-case scenario? Hit both of those with one pick. That's exactly what happened for the Commanders on Night 1.
**With the No. 29 overall pick, Washington selected an exciting young tackle with a ton of upside in Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr.** A two-year starter for the Ducks, the 21-year-old Conerly was considered the "total package" in the eyes of Commanders general manager Adam Peters. He's a "super talented" big man with great athleticism who has proven himself against the best of the best of in college. Just as important to the Commanders brass is what a player is like outside the white lines, and Washington was "really, really impressed" with Conerly the person.
The rookie will step into a unit that can take Commanders to the next level in 2025 with Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels behind them and the run game increasingly an important part of Washington's offensive identity.
Here's how draft pundits graded the move:
- Analysis: "Conerly could've been drafted a whole lot higher than this, but for whatever reason fell to the end of the first round. Laremy Tunsil and Conerly will be massive upgrades for the Commanders at offensive tackle and gives them a chance to end up with top tier bookends for a year or two."
- Analysis: "This pick makes a ton of sense for the Commanders, who add a talented rookie opposite the newly acquired Laremy Tunsil. Conerly, my 21st-ranked player, has a burly frame but light feet, blocking with good balance and recovery skills. He can start at right tackle early on and then give the team a long-term starter on the blind side. This is a nice boost for quarterback Jayden Daniels."
- Analysis: "The Commanders could have considered pass rush but instead further shored up their offensive line in front of Jayden Daniels, giving Laremy Tunsil a bookend and a strong run blocker to replace shaky former Chiefs right tackle Andrew Wylie."
- Analysis: I wonder where the Commanders want to play him. With Laremy Tunsil coming over from Houston to play left tackle and Brandon Coleman having the versatility to play guard or tackle, Conerly could play either spot and use his athleticism and movement skills to get out in space. Protecting Jayden Daniels should be the top priority, and Conerly can play either spot.
- Analysis: The Washington Commanders needed either a left tackle of the future or a challenger for Andrew Wylie at right tackle. Josh Conerly can be that. He needs some time to address his overall strength, but his athleticism and instincts are NFL-ready. Picking Conerly over Josh Simmons could prove to be a bold move either way.
- Analysis: I'm not sure where Conerly will play right now for the Commanders, but this is a play for the future. Conerly is only 21 years old with so much room to grow into his body. His improvement over the final six games this season is the reason he's in the first round.
- Analysis: "Many had pegged an edge rusher for Washington, but the Commanders passed up a few notable candidates there to take Conerly. Still, it's understandable that a team looking to safeguard Jayden Daniels and answer for the Eagles' unrelenting pass rush would want to keep adding top talent up front after trading for Laremy Tunsil earlier this offseason. Conerly can be eased in at right tackle before later taking over for Brandon Coleman or Andrew Wylie, with the latter not signed beyond 2025."
- Analysis: "Conerly was viewed by many as a borderline first-round pick as one of the top five offensive tackles in the class. At Oregon, Conerly started 28 games over the past two years while being named first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American. Projected to be a starter on the left side, he could kick inside down the line."
- Analysis: "Arguably the most athletic tackle in this class — his 10-yard split of 1.70 seconds led all blockers tested this year — Conerly possesses the elite feet that translate very well to the pass-happy NFL. He isn't quite as powerful as some of the other blockers of this class, projecting "only" outside, which limited his value to some. But for a club that just invested in Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, this selection is a terrific follow-up, should Tunsil fail to live up to expectations for whatever reason or if the Commanders aren't convinced Andrew Wylie isn't the long-term answer at right tackle."
- Analysis: He's a player I thought would go in the first round and the Commanders need more help up front on their offensive line. They won't be forced to rush him if he's not ready, but he has the talent to develop into a quality player. Not flashy, but solid pick.
