Survey results!!
In this week’s Reacts survey, we asked two questions:
- Which position will the Commanders select FIRST in next week’s draft?
- How many selections will the Commanders make in next week’s draft?
If you are a regular reader of Hogs Haven, I doubt you’ll be very surprised at the results.
Focus on defense
Six out of ten respondents expect a defensive lineman — and here, we’re basically talking about an edge rushing defensive end — to be the the first position drafted by Adam Peters, whether that happens on Thursday night or Friday.
Here’s a reminder of the current FanDuel odds for each position:
Overall, 77% of respondents expect the first pick to be on the defensive side of the ball, which isn’t a big surprise since the Commanders’ two biggest offseason moves — trades for WR Deebo Samuel and LT Laremy Tunsil — bolstered the offense. Moreover, the Commanders, having recently signed a 4th quarterback in Josh Johnson, now have 40 offensive players under contract compared to just 32 defensive players.
Running back
According to our survey, the most popular option on the offensive side of the ball for first pick in the Commanders’ draft is the running back position. Although only 10% of respondents chose this option, if the draft unfolds in a certain way, and especially if the Commanders trade out of the first round, RB could very well end up being the best player available when Washington is on the clock for its first selection.
Interestingly, the oddsmakers at FanDuel have the offensive line as the more likely draft pick.
Let Adam Cook
Speaking of trading back, this is clearly a popular option with Hogs Haven readers. In a survey in late-March, the most popular option among survey respondents, by a wide margin, was trading back from the 29th overall pick to get additional draft capital.
Also, in the Hogs Haven Pick-5 draft prediction contest currently underway, in the first day of the contest, about 80% of the entrants have predicted a first-round trade back for additional picks.
Today’s results are consistent with that view, with 77% of survey respondents predicting that the Commanders will make 6 or 7 selections in next week’s draft (the team currently has only 5 picks in hand).
One possibility is that Adam Peters will make a deal to move out of pick #29. If so, he would likely acquire an early 2nd round pick plus one or two additional picks.
With a pair of second-rounders, assuming he could find a dance partner, Peters could either use the picks or trade one (or both) of them to really stockpile mid-draft picks.
Even if he doesn’t trade pick 29, the option could still be there to trade #61 to acquire an additional pick.
It appears that Commanders fans are not very bullish on the possibility of Peters trading up, with only 3% of respondents predicting that the Commanders will make fewer than their current five picks in the ‘25 draft.
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The 2025 Draft schedule
The draft covers three days.
Round One will kick off at 8pm on Thursday, April 24th. With the Commanders slated to pick 29th out of 32 teams, it will be a while before Peters makes his selection. If he trades out of the first round pick, Commanders fans may have to wait until Friday to find out the identity of Washington’s initial pick in this year’s draft.
Round Two, comprising the 2nd & 3rd rounds, will begin at 7pm on Friday, April 25th, while Round Three will start at noon on Saturday the 26th, and last until the final pick of the 7th round — Mr Irrelelevant — has been announced.