The Washington Commanders wrapped up the NFL Draft on Saturday, and many analysts have praised the team for getting high-value players, despite tying for the second-smallest class in the NFL.
Here's what The Athletic's Dane Brugler had to say about each play in this year's version of **“The Beast,”** an annual draft preview that provides in-depth analysis of hundreds of prospects each year.
A two-year starter at Oregon, Conerly manned the left tackle position in offensive coordinator Will Stein's multiple run scheme with a lot of unbalanced looks. After transitioning to the offensive line as a high school sophomore, he made steady improvements each season, and he played his best ball over the second half of his final year in Eugene. A quick, fluid mover, Conerly has the range to reach his landmarks laterally in pass protection and on the move, at the second level and in the run game.
Because of the underdeveloped parts of his game, he will put himself in some compromised positions, especially against power rushers, but his recovery balance is exceptional. Overall, Conerly must continue refining his hands and core strength, but he is on the right trajectory and enters the NFL with a promising foundation based on athletic movements and body control. Currently a "bend, don't break" blocker, he has the talent to become a solid starter early in his NFL career.
A one-year starter at Ole Miss, Amos was an outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Pete Golding's diverse coverage scheme (press man, off man, zone, etc.). After three years at Louisiana, he transferred to Alabama and played behind Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. After Nick Saban retired, Amos made the move to Ole Miss, where he had his breakout season with an SEC-best 16 passes defended.
A good-looking athlete, Amos is a professional pesterer with the way he reads receivers, crowds break points/catch points and never stops ball searching with his length. Whether in man or zone, he has a feel for phasing up receivers from different alignments. His timed speed is better than his play speed, however, and there is some stiffness in his change of direction. Overall, Amos has an appetite for press, but I liked him best in zone (Cover 2, Cover 3, quarters), where he can trust his athletic instincts from depth to read and rally. His super-senior season convinced evaluators that he is a pro starter, similar in ways to Paulson Adebo.
A two-year starter at Virginia Tech, Lane was primarily the slot receiver in former offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen's balanced scheme (also saw Z and backfield snaps). After three seasons at Middle Tennessee, he posted moderate receiving production in his two seasons in Blacksburg and scored six touchdowns in 2024 (in four different ways: two receiving, two rushing, one passing, one punt return). Lane was a productive punt returner in college and shined on offense with screens, jets, etc., when he could throttle his speed, follow blocks and motor through fly-by tackles.
He is capable of stretching the field vertically (dynamic on slot posts), although he needs work in the intermediate part of the field to better set up defenders, win body position and finish crowded catch points. Overall, Lane is missing the well-rounded effectiveness that teams want in a starter, but his balance and acceleration — especially with the ball in his hands — will give him a chance to impress an NFL coaching staff in camp. His value as a punt returner should boost his chances of securing a roster spot and getting on the field.
A two-year starter at UCLA, Medrano was the Will linebacker in defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe's 3-3-5 base scheme. He struggled to find consistent defensive snaps over his first four years with the Bruins, but he made strides as a first-year starter in 2023 and became an impact player in 2024, finishing second on the team in tackles and creating five turnovers (three forced fumbles, two interceptions).
Medrano is a fun player to study, because of his short-area burst and range to impact the game in several ways. Slightly undersized, he is inconsistent playing through contact. The most concerning aspect of his college tape, however, is his alarming number of missed tackles, regardless of the 2024 tape studied. Overall, Medrano must better balance being aggressive and improving his discipline, but his speed and hyper-activity level will serve him well on an NFL field. His experience and traits will earn him an immediate role on special teams.
Croskey-Merritt had a short stint in the Arizona's spread scheme (Dino Babers and Matt Adkins shared play-calling duties in 2024). After suiting up in just one game amid eligibility issues in 2024, he reminded scouts of his talent during East-West Shrine Bowl week, taking home Offensive Player of the Game honors.
A slippery runner with explosive feet, Croskey-Merritt is capable of full-stride cuts without gearing down to toy with defenders. He runs with a "cut to daylight" mentality, which keeps his runs alive but also leads to wasted steps and extra hits. Overall, there is an unpredictability to his run style that keeps both defenders and his own coaches on the edge of their seat, but you'll live with the volatility because of his electric plant and burst to naturally string moves together and create chunk plays. He projects as an offense's change-of-pace weapon.
