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, but improving their roster will require more than just one good player.
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. The Commanders currently don't have a third-round pick, so we're moving on to the second round, where they are slated to select a player at No. 61 overall.
Check out the top photos of all the new players the Commanders have brought in for the 2025 season.
- Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State: Winston is coming off a season-ending injury in 2024, so he has a small sample size from last season. However, whenever he is on the field, he can cover tight ends and attack blockers in the run game.
- Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M: Scourton can handle himself against run blockers but is better known as a pass-rusher. Although his sack production took a dip after transferring to Texas A&M, he has a variety of pass-rush moves to present challenges for offensive tackles.
- Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss: Harris was a fifth-year receiver who spent the past two seasons in the SEC and had his two best performances. He's not a burner but does possess enough speed to win downfield. His size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) also helps him be a reliable target on deep passes.
- Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State: Porter has the speed, burst and quickness to quickly become a contributor in an NFL secondary. He'll need to develop his man coverage ability but can be impactful on special teams while he grows his skill set.
- Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue: Mbow has starting experience at both guard and tackle, so he could be a valuable depth piece if he doesn't start as a rookie. He's not a mauler, as he was only 303 pounds at the combine, but has enough athleticism to get to the second level and move linebackers out of running lanes.
- Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa: Although Johnson will likely need to show more as a pass-catcher, he's quick and elusive as a runner with 1,537 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in 2024. His workload doubled last season with 240 carries, and he more than tripled his production from 2023.
- Landon Jackon, EDGE, Arkansas: Jackson's energy and play style make for an entertaining watch. There are more athletic and productive players in this year's draft, but Jackson is elite when it comes to his competitiveness and work ethic.
- Aireontae Ersery, T, Minnesota: The Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year has prototypical size for an NFL tackle with his 6-foot-6, 331-pound frame. He has the quickness to beat defenders on perimeter runs and screen passes but shines the most when moving downhill to block interior defensive linemen.
- Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State: What Noel lacks in size (5-foot-10, 194 pounds) he makes up for with speed (he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine) and enough versatility to play anywhere on the field. He also has some experience as a return specialist with 1,287 yards on kickoffs and punts.
- Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss: Amos was a productive cover corner at Ole Miss, leading the team in pass breakups (13) and interceptions (3) in 2024. Though he's sub-200 pounds, he has enough length to win contested catches and come down with game-changing plays.
