The 2022 NFL Draft is upon us! The action will kick off tonight at 8pm in Las Vegas with the first round. The second and third rounds will take place tomorrow night, and the remaining rounds four through seven will go on Saturday.
Here is an overview of some of the things you might need to know going into the Draft.
Commanders Selections
Washington has the eleventh overall pick.
They also have the 47th overall pick – a pick that was originally the Indianapolis Colts’ pick until it became part of the swap for quarterback Carson Wentz. Washington did have the 42nd pick before the trade.
Washington also reliquished their third round pick in this draft as part of that trade. After number 47, they don’t draft again until pick 113.
They gave up their fifth round pick this year in last year’s draft. They used it to acquire long snapper Camaron Cheeseman.
In all, the Commanders have six picks:
Round 1: No. 11 overall
Round 2: No. 47 overall
Round 4: No. 113 overall
Round 6: No. 187 overall
Round 7: No. 230 overall
Round 7: No. 240 overall
Commanders Top Needs
Washington have several needs to fill, although much of the jabber around their number 11 pick seems to be at wide receiver. That isn’t actually a huge need for Washington with Terry McLaurin on the roster but if he ever got hurt, it’s easy to see why many feel the position is a need.
They do however have needs at a few other positions:
Safety – Kamren Curl and Bobby McCain would seem to have the starting positions locked up, but it’s easy to see this position being fortified or even strengthened with a top pick. Washington are hoping Darrick Forest can get healthy and contribute and they also have Troy Apke to slot in there. Still, many feel that it would be a good choice for the 11th overall pick (see Targets below).
Linebacker – Washington is low on bodies at linebacker again this year. Despite taking Jamin Davis with their first pick last year, the position continues to be a weak spot with only Cole Holcomb to fill the middle linebacker slot. The only other names on the roster are David Mayo, Khaleke Hudson and Milo Eifler. Five guys for three roster slots. That’s anaemic at best. Tragic at worst.
Cornerback – Kendall Fuller is a lock, but William Jackson III was disappointing in his first season in Washington. Benjamin St. Juste played well but was plagued by concussion issues. Corn Elder and Jeremy Reaves provide depth, but this position really needs to be fortified.
Top Wants:
The wide receiver could be viewed as more of a want, as Washington does already have McLaurin and is hoping for a bounce back season for Curtis Samuel who didn’t play much last year due to injury. They drafted Dyami Brown last year in the 3rd and do have veteran Cam Sims and Antonio Gandy-Golden as well.
Despite signing Wentz, there are some that feel that a quarterback wouldn’t be a bad option either. Somewhat of a security blanket for if Wentz does not pan out as hoped.
They could also do with adding some depth along the defensive line to account for losing both Tim Settle and Matt Iaonnidis to free agency. Daron Payne is also in the last year of his contract and is rumored to be potential trade bait at this draft. Wether he goes or not, it’s another slot on the d-line that may need to be filled.
Commanders Targets
The two names mentioned the most for Washington’s eleventh overall pick, seem to be safety Kyle Hamilton, and wide receiver Drake London.
Does this mean anything in the real world? Not really. Nobody can really tell what will happen the day of the draft. Plus, it is a tried and true tradition for teams to do everything they can to throw off the scent of who they are really after.
Nevertheless, here are some names that have been mentioned or would suit the Commanders’ wish lists:
Wide Receivers:
Drake London | Chris Olave | Jameson Williams | Garrett Wilson | Treylon Burks
Safeties:
Kyle Hamilton | Daxton Hill | Lewis Cine | Jaquan Brisker | Jalen Pitre
Cornerbacks:
Sauce Gardner | Derek Stingley Jr. | Trent McDuffie | Kyler Gordon | Andrew Booth Jr.
Quarterbacks:
Malik Willis | Kenny Pickett | Matt Corral | Desmond Ridder | Sam Howell
Linebackers:
Nakobe Dean | Christian Harris | Arnold Ebiketie | Devin Lloyd | Quay Walker | Chad Muma