The Washington Commanders might be looking for a new weapon for Jayden Daniels, and it seems they may have a type they're looking for at wide receiver after recent meetings.
Adam Peters made the move in trading for Deebo Samuel during the NFL combine, but the door is still open for another addition in the wide receiver room. Washington has recently shown attention to two draft prospects that fit a similar mold at the position.
The Commanders attended the NFL combine to put eyes on some of the top prospects in the draft, and came away impressed with a productive slot wide receiver in Jaylin Noel. According to Justin Melo with the Draft Network, they went as far as hosting a formal meeting with the former Cyclone while at the combine.
The following teams have held formal meetings with Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel in Indy, per source.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 28, 2025
• Commanders
• Seahawks
• Texans
Explosive receiver with short-area quickness. Going to be a difference maker!
Noel was a very productive wide receiver at Iowa State who primarily played in the slot, and brought in 80 catches for 1,193 (14.9 ypc), and eight touchdowns in 2024. Kliff Kingsbury would love to utilize Noel's 609 deep yards last season, which was fourth in the country among wide receivers, and stretch the field more on offense from the slot. The former Cyclone is measured at 5-foot-11 and 200 lbs, which fits his playing style as a strong, compact slot receiver with a crisp release package. Jaylin Noel is a separation nightmare for defensive backs, and his track background helps him accelerate at the snap of the ball. Where he lacks in yards after the catch, he makes up with his separation skills to get open in his routes, and his ability to make contested catches when needed.
I like Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel more every time I watch him
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) March 26, 2025
pic.twitter.com/zMpqgsSf6i
Another wide receiver on Washington's radar more recently was another compact slot receiver who wins with their separation, Xavier Restrepo from the University of Miami. According to Justin Melo from the Draft Network, the Commanders actually had a private workout with Restrepo earlier in the week. Restrepo measured in at just under 5-foot-10 and 209 lbs, filling in his compact frame as another stocky slot receiver.
Cam Ward loved to look Restrepo's way in 2024, as he finished with 69 catches for 1,127 yards (16.3 ypc) and 11 touchdowns from the top-ranked quarterback in the class. Xavier finished with 1,038 of those receiving yards coming from the slot, which was the third highest in the country. Xavier Restrepo brings reliability to an offense with his sure hands, with only two drops in 2024 on 95 targets. Just like Noel, Restrepo is explosive in his routes and wastes no time getting separation from defensive backs.
Xavier Restrepo might have some of the best spatial awareness I’ve ever seen for a ...