The Washington Commanders were just one win away from a trip to the Super Bowl in 2024. Adam Peters must build on this newly acquired positivity throughout the offseason.
The loss in the NFC Championship game has to sting, but the fact they got there with so many holes on the roster is a testament to how much heart the Commanders have. If some of these weak spots can be improved, Washington will be a true Super Bowl contender in 2025.
Peters has seven picks at his disposal in the 2025 NFL Draft to help improve the roster.
Chad Reuter's mock draft centers on trench improvements for the Commanders
Chad Reuter from NFL.com shone some light on three prospects that could be instant impact players for the Commanders in positions of need. The first in his mock draft was explosive edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau out of Ohio State.
The edge rusher positions were a glaring flaw this season. Even with Quinn's ability to get the best out of his players, it was still an immense struggle to generate pressure against good offensive lines. Peters must rectify this urgently during the recruitment period.
Tuimoloau comes into the NFL with a high floor, which would allow him to possibly be the Commanders' best edge rusher immediately. The 6-foot-5, 269-pound mauler uses his power to drive offensive tackles into the backfield, making life hard for quarterbacks.
He racked up 38 pressures, 11 sacks, and 28 tackles in 2024 with the Buckeyes, which earned him an 85.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. Tuimoloau possesses a high football IQ, allowing him to sniff out plays as they are coming together. He displays great athleticism for his size, making him an explosive playmaker off the edge.
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The Buckeyes' prospect also has a solid tool bag, giving him enough initial pass-rush moves and counters to make an impact. He is particularly great with his spin move.
Reuter's second choice for the Commanders was an addition to the secondary in the form of cornerback Cobee Bryant.
Even with the addition of Marshon Lattimore at the 2024 trade deadline, the Commanders' secondary still struggled. Adding help to the cornerback room should be a priority in the draft. The current group cannot be completely relied upon as it stands. Adding Bryant could help bolster the group.
The Kansas product stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs 175 pounds. Bryant put up 40 tackles, four interceptions, and four pass breakups in 2024. He allowed a 62.7 passer rating when targeted and earned an 80.9 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Bryant's biggest strength is his ball skills. This makes him a great playmaker as he can create turnovers easily and show up in clutch moments. He displays a good football IQ for the position, recognizing routes and not getting put out of position.
The Hillcrest High School product is an aggressive tackler, not backing down from any challenge. Bryant also has special teams experience in college, which is valuable for a rookie trying to earn his way to a starting position.
Reuter's third-round pick for the Commanders was offensive tackle Marcus Mbow out of Purdue.
The offensive line is arguably the biggest need for the Commanders coming into the offseason. Constant pressure on Jayden Daniels was normal. That can not be the case moving forward.
Like many of the top offensive line prospects in this draft class, Mbow has versatility. He mainly played right tackle in college, but he's got experience at right guard as well. Veteran Andrew Wylie is a player who struggled immensely for the Commanders, so this would be an intriguing replacement.
Mbow only allowed 25 pressures and three sacks across the 2024 campaign. He stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 300 pounds. His decent production throughout the season earned him a 73.0 grade from Pro Football Focus.
The prospect displays good strength and mobility, allowing him to combat both power and speed rushers. Mbow has a decent build for an NFL offensive tackle, so he is not exactly undersized for the position. He has good hand usage and can block at the second level.
