In case you were not watching the local coverage hosted by Julie Donaldson, Washington commentators had much to say during the Commanders live broadcast coverage Thursday night of the first round.
When time for the No. 11 pick came,
Bram Weinstein, “I think they trade back.”
London Fletcher: “They went into this draft thinking, ‘add a playmaker to the wide receiver position.’ Once both those guys were gone (Drake London, Garrett Wilson) maybe they still add Chris Olave or Jameson Williams.”
When announced Washington had traded back to No. 16:
Weinstein then asked Fletcher what Washington would try to obtain trading back, “Obviously they get a defensive tackle. They have to replace Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle. That will be a position of need. Maybe add a running back, a bigger back… a safety and a quarterback.”
When it was announced the Commanders received picks No 16, 98 and 120
Logan Paulsen responded, “I am ecstatic! This is fantastic for the team. It puts them in a position to get a receiver they like. Chris Olave is probably their number one receiver at this point in the draft. He will be there at No 16 most likely. This trade allows you to address the meat and potatoes of this draft, the 3rd and 4th rounds… with both London and Wilson gone, let’s move back, put ourselves in the best position as an organization to get the best receiver in our view that is going to be available at 16.”
Fletcher: “I think they still go with a wide receiver maybe a Dotson out of Penn State or the Burks kid out of Arkansas. Though they traded back, I still think they will take a wide receiver.”
Paulsen: “I love the way Dotson catches the football outside of his frame. He is fearless, not afraid to go over the middle, blocks faced a lot of man-to-man coverage, so you know he can beat that kind of coverage. Love that skill set, he is a complete receiver to me. If they could trade back again I think those guys I mentioned (Dotson, Trevor Penning, Devin Lloyd, Trent McDuffie) will be there for them from say 19 to the end of the round.”
When the Dotson pick was announced,
Fletcher: “I love the pick. I watched Dotson destroy defensive backs in the Big 10 this year. By trading back, they still get a guy that is very productive. I like this pick.”
Paulsen: Yes, he has tremendous ability, his hands are well documented. The thing I love most about him is the physical courage with which he plays the position. He is going to run after the catch, he is going to block. He is going to do the nasty stuff. You can tell football is very important to him. And that is why he bumped up in my evaluation process.”