Washington Commanders Mock Draft: Trading back and loading up
The Washington Commanders have glaring needs at both wide receiver and linebacker, and luckily for them, the 2022 NFL Draft is chock full of talent at both positions.
First Round: Trading back
BAL Receives: 11th pick (2022), 239th pick (2022) | WAS Receives: 14th pick (2022), 76th pick (2022), 196th pick (2022)
At pick 11, many expect the Commanders to select a receiver of some sort, but with such a loaded class, they may want to trade back and take advantage of a desperate team looking to move up. The Baltimore Ravens, just three spots back at 14, are in dire need of another target for Lamar Jackson. If Garrett Wilson or Drake London are available, they’ll likely pounce on the opportunity, potentially allowing Washington to move back.
There, the Commanders should be in position to land Chris Olave out of Ohio State. Olave is a crafty receiver that can threaten defenses both down the field and in the quick game. His burning speed, great hands and polished route tree will make him an ideal target for Carson Wentz, who needs all the help he can get. Washington’s offense would be a lot more dynamic with Olave in the mix.
Middle Rounds: Linebackers galore
With the 47th pick, Ron Rivera and co. will probably look to add a linebacker. They should be all over Wyoming’s Chad Muma, who led the FBS with 142 total tackles last season. Muma has great sideline-to-sideline speed and rarely misses at the point of contact. He also snagged three interceptions in 2021, returning two for touchdowns. Muma is exactly the player the Commanders need after first-round linebacker Jamin Davis struggled in his first season.
One backer won’t be enough, though, as Washington has one of the league’s worst groups at the position. In this scenario, they hold a third-round pick courtesy of the Ravens, which could be used on Darrian Beavers from Cincinnati. Rivera went out of his way to speak one-on-one with Beavers at the Bearcats’ pro day in March, proving he has some interest in him. Like Muma, Beavers is a phenomenal athlete with high upside. These two would help round out a linebacker corps that lacks playmakers.
At this point, the Commanders may want to add another tight end behind Logan Thomas. If so, Jeremy Ruckert from Ohio State could be their guy at pick 113. He’s a reliable target who excels at finding holes in opposing defenses. The only real knock on Ruckert is his lack of production, as he caught just 26 balls for 309 yards in 2021. Then again, the Buckeyes’ nearly had three 1,000-yard receivers, so it’s probably not Ruckert’s fault. Washington needs to find a tight end, though, whether it be through the draft or free agency. Drafting Ruckert would certainly help.
Late Rounds: Upside and depth
Per usual, day three of the draft won’t be as exciting as the first two, but Washington has a chance at landing a diamond in the rough if they play it right. Linebacker Nephi Sewell from Utah could very well be the diamond they’re looking for. At 6'0 and 225 pounds, Sewell is slightly undersized compared to most NFL linebackers, but his versatility is what makes him a unique prospect. He can play in the box, out wide and back deep at safety. In the sixth round, Sewell might be a steal, but he may be off the board by then, so the Commanders should consider moving up into the fifth round to get him.
The extra sixth-round pick from Baltimore gives Washington another chance at finding a late-round gem. South Carolina’s ZaQuandre White is a tremendously talented running back the Commanders will have eyes on. Both Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic have struggled with injuries the last two seasons, meaning they need some insurance in the backfield. White, an explosive runner with great vision, would compete with Jaret Patterson for the third-string job.
To close everything out, the Commanders will want to fill any remaining holes they have left. Their offensive line, despite being one of the league’s best units a season ago, is now without Ereck Flowers and Brandon Scherff. That means they’ll need to add some depth to a group that’s been somewhat depleted. Enter: Doug Kramer out of Illinois in the seventh round. Kramer could be a solid depth piece for Washington behind the likes of Chase Roullier, Wes Schweitzer and Andrew Norwell.
Summary: The Commanders must address their needs at wide receiver and linebacker going into the draft. Adding a playmaker opposite of Terry McLaurin could turn their offense into a lethal one. Once that’s taken care of, they’ll have a few linebackers to choose from in the second round. If they’re able to hit on both of their first two picks, it’s considered a success. The rest of their picks should be used to build depth, unless someone with high upside is still on the board. Nonetheless, this draft will be an important one for Ron Rivera and his team.
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