The NFL Draft is just under three weeks away and much discussion has centered around how Adam Peters will fill the remaining holes on the roster with only two picks in the top 100. Trading back out of round one would be ideal, but it takes a willing partner to do so.
In this mock draft, I traded back with Cleveland, who moved to 29 to select Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka. I received picks 33 (second round) and 67 (third round) for allowing the Browns to select their star receiver and get that fifth year of team control at the end of round one.
Pick 33 (RD2 – From Cleveland): Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
- Injury concerns drop Morrison out of round one, and Adam Peters pounces. At a tad over 6’ and a sturdy 195 pounds, Morrison can be brought along slowly until he’s ready to take the field. Like Jer’Zhan Newton in 2024, the value here is just too good to pass up with an early pick in round two. He is a scheme-diverse outside corner who can play man or zone effectively. Morrison would pair nicely with Lattimore on the outside and gives Washington a formidable cornerback room with solid depth to boot.
Pick 61 (RD2): Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa St.
- In Higgins, Washington finally gets the big outside target to pair opposite Terry McLaurin. At 6’4” 214 pounds with 4.4 speed and a 39” vertical, he is a downfield threat who can win contested catches. Higgins also has the ability to line up in the slot and win verses smaller corners and safeties with his size and box-out prowess.
Pick 67 (RD3 – From Cleveland): Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA
- Femi Oladejo is a work in progress at EDGE, however his upside is very intriguing. He may end up being a situational pass rusher as a rookie while he continues his development, but if that career trajectory holds true, he could eventually become Dan Quinn’s “LEO”.
Pick 128 (RD4): Jordan James, RB, Oregon
- James is not the biggest running back, but he plays well above his listed 205 combine weight and should be able to add 10 pounds without losing any quickness. He can come in and provide a nice change-of-pace option and receiving threat out of the backfield as a rookie with the hopes of being the guy in 2026 and beyond.
Pick 205 (RD6): Andres Borregales , K, Miami
- Borregales, who had a private workout with the Commanders in Miami, will battle in training camp to take over kicking duties. As with most rookie kickers, there could be some bumps along the way, but if he could iron those out, Washington could have their kicker for the next decade plus.
Pick 245 (RD7): Xavier Truss, OL, Georgia
- Truss is a developmental lineman with the versatility to play guard or tackle. His movement skills are not the best, so guard may end up being his landing spot if he makes the 53-man roster as a rookie.