What is the worst-case scenario for the Washington Commanders in the 2025 NFL draft? Pro Football Focus believes it would be not adding another high-impact wide receiver alongside Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel.
Here's what PFF said:
Washington has taken its offseason vision to heart, already bettering Jayden Daniels’ Year 2 environment with trade acquisitions Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel. Still, the team should find another trustworthy wideout next to Terry McLaurin through the draft.
Late-season standouts Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus are both on new teams, and Samuel (72.1 PFF receiving grade, 1.60 yards per route run) regressed in 2024. Meanwhile, third-round pick Luke McCaffrey produced only a 54.3 PFF receiving grade in an underwhelming first year. With few avenues left to further upgrade the team’s receiver room through free agency, general manager Adam Peters should target a legitimate stud at the position before the end of Day 2.
We disagree. It's not that Washington doesn't need to add another talented wideout to the roster, specifically one with game-breaking speed, but that isn't the Commanders' most pressing need.
Washington entered the offseason with several needs, despite finishing as the NFC runner-up in 2024. The Commanders needed more help on the offensive line, another front-line receiver to pair with McLaurin, cornerback help, a high-level pass rusher, and some defensive reinforcements to stop the run.
Washington has addressed most of those needs three weeks into the new league year. The trades for Laremy Tunsil and Samuel improved three positions. Tunsil is Washington's new left tackle, allowing Brandon Coleman to move to right tackle, while Samuel gives the Commanders a legitimate receiver opposite McLaurin. While we can't say that Washington's run defense will be better in 2025, the Commanders have made moves believing it will.
Did you notice which need we didn't address? That's right; Washington still needs help with the pass rush. Last season's sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr., signed a one-year deal to return to the Cowboys. Washington had a price for Fowler, and Dallas exceeded that price. Fowler is strictly a situational pass rusher who is a liability against the run. The Commanders would prefer an edge rusher who can rush the passer and set the edge in the run game. They signed veteran Deatrich Wise to help against the run, but still must add a high-impact edge rusher.
Washington has been heavily linked to pass rushers in next month's NFL draft. Fortunately, this is a deep class and the Commanders should still be able to add a quality player at No. 29 overall. Mock drafts have connected Washington to edge defenders, cornerbacks, wide receivers, running backs, offensive tackles, and even safety. That could still be the case, but general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have done extensive homework in the edge rusher class.
The Commanders choosing not to overpay for any of the free-agent pass rushers could mean they prefer the draft options. Whether or not Washington addresses edge rusher at No. 29, it would be a disappointment if it didn't land one somewhere in the first couple of rounds in the draft.
So, while the Commanders could pick a receiver early — and it would be wise — it's not the most pressing need in the draft.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire:
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