You know it’s officially draft season when Mel Kiper Jr. releases a mock draft.
Kiper’s newest mock draft features four quarterbacks in the top 10. Kiper is higher on Kentucky quarterback Will Levis than most, having Levis go No. 5 overall to the Seattle Seahawks. He’s the third quarterback selected in Kiper’s mock as Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud goes No. 2 to Houston and Alabama’s Bryce Young lands at No. 4 with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Washington Commanders select at No. 16 overall. Washington could use a quarterback, plenty of offensive line help and a cornerback. A quarterback isn’t happening. The Commanders like Sam Howell and will likely pair him with a veteran in 2023. That leaves an offensive lineman or corner for Washington.
Kiper gives them the starting left tackle from the two-time defending national champions in Georgia’s Broderick Jones.
Here’s yet another team with quarterback issues, as the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz last offseason (which cost them their third-rounder this year) but turned back to Taylor Heinicke down the stretch. Neither is likely to be their Week 1 starter; I wonder whether they will be players in the veteran-signal-caller market and bring in someone to compete with Sam Howell. No matter who is playing quarterback, though, they have to improve along the offensive line. Jones is a 310-pound mauler who didn’t allow a single sack as the Bulldogs’ left tackle in 2022. I wouldn’t be shocked if he went in the top 10.
Kiper’s last sentence is the key. There’s no guarantee Jones falls out of the top 15. If he does, that’s an easy pick for the Commanders. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Jones is an immediate starter at right tackle for Washington. Charles Leno Jr. can remain at left tackle, and Washington can finally move Sam Cosmi inside to guard.
If Washington can sign a young veteran free agent to start and drafts an offensive lineman early, its offensive line should be dramatically improved in 2023.