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Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters readies for Thursday’s NFL Draft with a long-term path paved by short-term deals.
Peters has again used short free-agent deals for stopgap players to once more contend before giving way later to a youth movement. Peters is getting the best of both ends by winning while rebuilding.
Washington filled holes with offseason trades for Houston left tackle Laremy Tunsil and San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel. Along with re-signing veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz, Washington can choose those who help more in 2026 and 2027.
Peters’ view lets him draft the best player available rather than press up for players like predecessor Ron Rivera, who reached for linebacker Jamin Davis, receiver Jahan Dotson and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in consecutive first rounds. All were busts and cut or traded last year.
Looking ahead has Peters getting ahead.
The Commanders have five picks in this week’s draft, but GM Adam Peters said decision-makers ‘put ourselves in a really good position to not force something.’
“There’s guys that we know aren’t going to be there,” Peters said. “If they’re there, yeah, we’ll take them. But we’re fairly certain they’re not going to be there. This draft is interesting because there’s very little certainty after the first 10 picks or so — who’s going to go where and why, and what’s going to happen and all that. So we have to be ready for a lot of guys to fall to us or not fall to us.”
“I don’t think we have a philosophy of going premium positions in any round,” he said. “It’s really just trying to pick the best Commander that’s going to mean the most.”
“I don’t believe in being scared about trading with teams in your division,” Peters said. “If you feel the trade is a good value for you and you can get some good picks to help you get better, then we definitely consider it.”
Washington hasn’t made its first pick in Round 1 this low since 2002, when it traded down and ended up with the 32nd selection. But picking 29th with a quarterback in place provides comfort.
The Commanders’ improved depth means they don’t need a rookie end to be a three-down starter, but they have shown interest in multiple pass rushers such as Marshall’s Mike Green, Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, Georgia’s Mykel Williams and UCLA’s Oluwafemi Oladejo. Some would be options at 29 — if available — while...
