Hogs Haven
The draft is a day away and with that comes my final mock draft for Washington for this year’s cycle.
As always, my draft algorithm is the player who represents the most value on the board at a position of need for the Commanders.
I will be using my draft board, which I published yesterday, along with the Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator to help with this final mock.
Top needs:
EDGE
Cornerback
Wide Receiver
Offensive Tackle
Running Back
Secondary needs:
Safety
Guard
Linebacker
*Kicker (not on draft board)
There was a trade offer on the table at pick 29...
Cleveland was looking to move back into the first round to draft Jaxon Dart. There was definitely a player I was targeting at 29, and I risked losing him if I moved back, but I looked at the teams behind me and didn’t think any of the three would take him.
Below is how round one played out on the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator.
I didn’t expect Simmons to be there at pick 29, and I was going to draft him there, however the trade offer from Cleveland was too enticing to pass up. For moving back just four spots, I picked up a third rounder. Based on the Rich Hill Trade Chart, this was a 19-point swing in Washington’s favor. Cleveland wanted Jaxson Dart and didn’t want another team jumping them at the end of the first round, so they paid the premium to land their QB.
I still had Ezeiruaku, Amos and Hairston on my board, so if Simmons got drafted, I would most likely have one of those to choose from.
As you can see above, the Rest of round one fell like this:
Buffalo - James Pearce
Chiefs - Donovan Ezeiruaku
Eagles - Trey Amos
This left me with the player I was going to take at 29, at pick 33.
The biggest question on Simmons is his health. Had he played a full season at Ohio State, he likely would have been a top 10 pick. All reports have him well ahead of schedule and ready for camp. Picking up an offensive tackle of his caliber with the first pick in round two is a luxury. Washington’s greatest asset is quarterback Jayden Daniels and protecting him is a top priority. With Tunsil at left tackle, the Commander can slide Simmons to right tackle and move second-year lineman Brandon Coleman to left guard. This move upgrades two positions along the offensive line and adds more youth to the unit. Simmons was the top player on my board at the time of the pick.
There was a trade offer on the table at pick 61...
