While the Washington Commanders remain focused on their post-season endeavors, a portion of the organization must focus on the future. Whether they win or lose, the 2025 NFL draft is still happening in April, and they have to evaluate their needs and which draftable players can fill that need.
One of the Commanders’ biggest weaknesses all season was their run defense. They were the third worst run defense in the NFL in 2024, allowing a total of 2,337 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, an average of 4.8 yards per carry. One of the ways they can address the run defense is with the draft, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper has a candidate in mind:
Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
The Commanders are picking this late (and possibly later) largely because they got immediate star power from their 2024 first-round pick: quarterback Jayden Daniels. Can they take another step forward by acing their 2025 first-round selection? Scourton plays with power. And while he can get to the quarterback as a pass rusher (5 sacks), I really like this fit because of his run defense. Washington was chewed up for 4.8 yards allowed per rush this season, 28th in the league. But Scourton has the strength to set an edge against the run, and he finished the season with 14 tackles for loss and 11 run stops.
Even if the Commanders drop in the draft because they win on Sunday, there’s no reason to think that Scourton wouldn’t be available to them anyway. He’s a good fit for what the Commanders need and has the ability to make an immediate impact, which is rare among rookies.