
The 2025 NFL Draft is just days away and the Washington Commanders want to make a strong push to the 2026 Super Bowl
Last year at this time, it was a given that the Washington Commanders would be selecting a quarterback in the first round. What a difference a year makes! Several team needs were filled with the 2024 draft, but a few positions still need attention.
The Commanders currently have five selections in the 2025 draft after using this year’s third- and fifth-round selections to trade for franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and talented wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Was it worth it to make these trades? Absolutely.
Can yours truly produce a mock draft that continues to enhance the roster for 2025? I decided to give it a try and use the Pro Football Focus Simulator as my tool for this exercise. PFF places a great deal of emphasis on analytics and the Commanders vowed to do the same when the Harris ownership group bought the team. With that in mind, let’s get started.
Round One (Pick #29)
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
My plan was to see what trades were available to me and take the best offer, but none were really intriguing. I couldn’t believe that Nolen had dropped (rated eighth best player by PFF) to 29th overall.
The value was too good to ignore and Washington needs to address the DT position anyway.
.@OleMissFB DT Walter Nolen brings all the tools necessary to be an impact player on the D-Line @walternolen4
: 2025 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/7730uoX6i8— NFL (@NFL) April 15, 2025
***Trade***
Three trade offers came from the PFF Simulator and two of them were unfavorable. One was solid and I traded the 61st and 245th overall picks (2nd and 7th rounds) to New England. I obtained the 69th pick – 3rd round) and pick 106 (4th round).
Round Three (Pick #69)
Oluwafemi Oladejo, LB/EDGE, UCLA
Once again, I added some value with this pick as Femi Oladejo was rated as PFF’s 60th best player. The Commanders have met with him extensively, including a top 30 visit, and are said to be very impressed with his maturity and dedication to the sport.
The team needs a quality edge rusher and Femi certainly fits that description.
Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
6’3”, 259-pound former off the ball linebacker – Athletic profile – Alignment/Assignment versatility – Excellent pad level – Physical run defender – Shoots backside gaps to create TFLs – Asset in Simulated/Creeper Pressure calls – Flashes cross chop… pic.twitter.com/UkLMHhuUM8
— The Film Room (@Cover1FilmRoom) March 29, 2025
Round Four (Pick #106)
Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
I was hoping to find a solid cornerback with this pick, but the highest rated player was nearly forty picks away, so it was not an option.
Washington is rumored to be interested in a solid running back and Jaydon Blue, son of former Jaguars and Texans running back Alfred Blue, was the best available one at this juncture. PFF rated this selection as a “B+”.
Jaydon Blue has the explosion to be on your radar
RB | Texas | 5’9 | 196 lbs | 4.38 40-yd dash
Every time Blue gets a chance, he’s good, but because he had such good backs in front of him, we didn’t see a ton of him
Super athletic, very fast, solid pass catching chops pic.twitter.com/yP2xApvPpg
— The FF Dynasty (@TheFFdynasty) April 21, 2025
Round Four (Pick #128)
Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Once again, I tried to look for trading partners and each scenario was very unfavorable.
Drafting dynamic receiver Kyle Williams at #128 was incredible. He is rated as the 65th best player on their Big Board.
Kyle Williams baller pic.twitter.com/gByerj1cnJ
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 20, 2025
Round Six (Pick #205)
R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson
Looking to add a special teams player was the goal here, but a talented safety was still available. Rated as the 108th overall player by PFF provided excellent value, a likely special teams standout, and a solid player for many years to come.
The Commanders have a hidden gem in safety Tyler Owens, but Mickens can be a great depth option as well.
R.J. Mickens earned an ELITE 92.4 PFF Grade over his five seasons at Clemson pic.twitter.com/1xLbGnqu9q
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 19, 2025
When the PFF Simulator started to churn out the picks, I was hoping to turn five selections into at least seven draft choices. It didn’t happen, but the value of these five players was excellent. PFF graded this mock draft as an “A+”.
When you add in Marshon Lattimore, Laremy Tunsil, and Deebo Samuel, this draft would be a grand slam.