The Washington Commanders are keeping an eye on 2025 NFL draft prospects who have stood out the most throughout the draft process, including the Senior Bowl where they either drafted, or signed five players in last year's draft.
One player who made a name for himself at the Senior Bowl All-Star game was interior offensive lineman Willie Lampkin from the University of North Carolina. Lampkin's name was first brought up on Day 1 of the Senior Bowl when players had to check in and measure up. To everyone's surprise, the former Tar Heel measured in at 5-foot-10, and 279 lbs. Willie wasted no time quieting those criticizing his size by dominating top defensive tackles in the NFL draft throughout the week of practice in Mobile. I checked in with Lampkin, who tells me he had a meeting with the Commanders at the Senior Bowl, and it's easy to see why Washington likes him.
UNC OL Willie Lampkin (5’10, 270) vs Kentucky DT Deone Walker (6’7, 340) pic.twitter.com/G1tnttxwCz
— Mason Kinnahan (@Mason_Kinnahan) January 28, 2025
Willie Lampkin is a player that I could see getting the "Commander Tag" from Adam Peters because of his mentality to compete on every single rep, even with a size difference agaisnt interior defensive tackles. Justin Melo of the Draft Network interviewed Lampkin recently and explained what makes him such an effective blocker. The former Tar Heel credits his wrestling background, which helps with his leverage in his anchor, hand placement, and footwork. He also tells Melo that he's heard from teams that he could play at both center and guard, where he has all his college experience at North Carolina and Coastal Carolina. Lampkin finished with 1,712 snaps at left guard, 937 at center, and 1,473 at right guard.
.@TarHeelsFB IOL Willie Lampkin was a standout at @seniorbowl. Virtual meeting with #Falcons recently.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 4, 2025
Drew interest in Mobile from #Commanders, #Steelers, #Saints, #Broncos, #Seahawks, #Ravens, #Buccaneers, #Browns, #Chargers.@TheDraftNetwork:https://t.co/ylT8pivhAk
The film and resume speak louder than the measurements ...
