Hogs Haven
We’re back with another mock draft roundup as the NFL prepares for the conference championship games on Sunday. The Washington Commanders were still in playoffs at this time last year season, but not after they finished with a 5-12 record, and the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft. The Commanders shook up their coaching staff after that massively disappointing season, with assistant QB coach David Blough replacing offensive coordinator, and assistant OL coach Darnell Stapleton replacing OL coach Bobby Johnson. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr was also fired, and the search for his replacement continues after two of their top options stayed with their teams.
This roundup has 38 mock drafts and 23 of them feature EDGE rushers. Miami’s Rueben Bain and Texas’s David Bailey are tied for the most popular choice, with 10 mocks sending them to D.C. Auburn’s Kevin Faulk rounds out the group with his name called twice for Washington this week.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr went with Bailey in our last roundup, but has the Texas pass rusher going to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 overall for new head coach Robert Saleh. The Commanders get the consolation prize of Miami’s Reuben Bain who Kiper said “has a great mix of power, speed and bend, and the Commanders could move him around on the defensive line to create mismatches.” Lack of pressure due to injuries and lack of top talent severely limited Washington’s defense last season, and Adam Peters stated the team needed to add more pass rushers in his post-season presser.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs continues to be a Top-10 pick, and he gets called the best player in the draft a lot….for a safety. He’s picked for Washington 10 times in this week’s roundup, one less time than in our last roundup. People will argue the positional value isn’t there for a safety this high, but Washington’s defense continues to have a need at the position. Downs is a smart player who would elevate a defense that needs a new direction.
There are two more edge rushing options with Keldrick Faulk and Cashius Howell rounding out the biggest position group need for Washington. Ohio State LB Arvell Reese is expected to be a Top-5 pick, but gets linked to Washington one time this week to give fans a glimmer of hope.
Wide receiver and running back round out the roundup, with two picks each. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate have been getting mentions for the Commanders new offense under Blough. Kiper has Tate going No. 5 overall to John Harbaugh’s new version of the New York Football Giants. Love goes to the Kansas City Chiefs to work with the returning Eric Bieniemy. The weapon Patrick Mahomes needs to comeback from a playoffs-season?
Position selections:
WR – 2
RB – 2
EDGE – 23
LB – 1
S – 10
Where will Washington pick, and who/what position should they take next year?
Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami ------------------------...
