The Washington Commanders are slated to select eight new players in this week’s 2023 NFL draft, beginning Thursday night.
The selections the Commanders own heading into Thursday night’s first round are:
Round 1 (16th overall)
Round 2 (47th overall)
Round 3 (97th overall)
Round 4 (118th overall)
Round 5 (150th overall)
Round 6 (193rd overall)
Round 6 (215th overall)
Round 7 (233rd overall)
The 97th selection is a compensatory draft pick awarded to Washington. The choice comes as a return for the free agent departure of right guard Brandon Scherff to the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2022 free agency period.
The 215th overall selection is also a compensatory pick awarded to Washington due to the free agent departure of defensive tackle Tim Settle to the Buffalo Bills. Settle also departed during the 2022 free agency signing period.
2010 and 2015 are the last two drafts when Washington used its first-round choice on an offensive lineman. Trent Williams out of Oklahoma was the fourth overall selection in 2010 and Scherff, from Iowa, was the fifth overall selection in 2015.
Clearly, the Washington offensive line fell off somewhat in its performance in 2022. The Commanders have thus signed free agent linemen Andrew Wylie (Kansas City) and Nick Gates (NY Giants).
Most analysts have stated they believe offensive tackles Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State) and Pete Skoronski (Northwestern) will have already been chosen before the Commanders’ No. 16 pick.
Many feel the Commanders are hoping Georgia’s Broderick Jones or Tennessee’s Darnell Wright will be available at No. 16.
If those four tackles are already taken, Washington could trade down a few spots, still obtaining a tackle as Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison is also expected to be selected in Thursday night’s first round.
But of course, none of us know how the draft will fall at No. 16. If there is a run on offensive tackles, it could be the Commanders who might feel the player giving them the most value at No. 16 could be a cornerback or perhaps even a defensive end.
Montez Sweat is entering the final year of his contract, and Chase Young’s knee injury and subpar production have led many to believe he will not be offered the fifth-year option. Thus defensive end could be a huge need in 2024.