The Washington Commanders didn’t need a franchise-altering draft class like it did in 2024. The 2025 NFL Draft was about amplifying quarterback Jayden Daniels and pushing the team from America’s favorite story to a true Super Bowl contender.
General manager Adam Peters has largely succeeded in that endeavor. Working with limited draft capital after a series of trades, Peters’ second class has been viewed favorably, addressing a handful of short- and long-term needs with just five picks.
Washington’s draft found multiple upgrades, but the unfortunate reality of the business means that for every new starter, someone else is displaced. Let’s take a look at the winners and losers from the Commanders’ 2025 NFL Draft.
Winner: Quarterback Jayden Daniels
Washington accomplished its goals this offseason, which meant it surrounded Daniels with better talent.
After trading for receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the Commanders continued to add to the offense in Round 1. Oregon right tackle Josh Conerly should step in as a starter, and at the very least projects as a long-term option opposite Tunsil.
With a first-round tackle at his disposal, the addition of receiver Jaylin Lane, and the arrival of running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Daniels is positioned for success in 2025.
Winner: Washington’s Edge Rushers
No position was more commonly mocked to the Commanders in Round 1 than edge rusher. Dorance Armstrong Jr. headlines a mediocre unit, and there was a real chance that the unit saw improvement on Day 1.
However, Washington didn’t address the position at all during the NFL Draft, allowing the room to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Loser: Cornerback Marson Lattimore
Where the Commanders didn’t spend on the defensive line, they did spend at corner.
In Round 2, Washington drafted Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos. Peters admitted he was a potential selection in Round 1. Instead, he fell to Day 2, where the Commanders found good value.
Assuming Amos sticks to the boundary, he’s in line to replace Lattimore, with the veteran’s play determining just how soon the second-rounder sees playing time. Across injuries and inconsistencies, Lattimore was dreadful for Washington, particularly in the playoffs.
Given the $18 million in cap savings waiting for Washington if it moves on after the season, Amos figures to close in on the starting job at some point in Year 1.
Loser: Running Back Austin Ekeler
The life of a running back is a short one. The nature of the position and the surplus of younger, cheaper replacements means every veteran has to watch their back – especially as they approach 30 years old and have failed before.
Ekeler exceeded expectations in 2024, temporarily reviving his career in the process. However, in Round 7, the Commanders drafted Croskey-Merritt, which posed a threat to Ekeler’s job.
Ekeler’s passing-game experience works in his favor, but Croskey-Merritt is a dynamic rusher who can make plays on special teams if given the opportunity. If Ekeler struggles and Washington feels the need to get the ball in its rookie’s hands, the veteran could once again be on the brink of losing his job.
