The Washington Commanders know what they need to do to take this team to the next level in 2025. Adam Peters began by retaining quality talent and acquiring new talent during the offseason. The veterans he's brought in will mentor the younger players on the roster and help them develop into the players they need to be. They still have some decisions to make, though, as the 2025 NFL draft is just a month away.
Mock drafts have been built since the end of the Super Bowl in February when the draft order was finalized. One thing remains consistent in these mocks: NFL analysts are undecided on what they think the Commanders will do. Welcome in ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum, who put on his general manager hat and created a mock draft of not what he thinks the teams will do, but what he would do if he were the GM of that team. For the Commanders, he suggests drafting cornerback Maxwell Hairston out of Kentucky with the 29th pick in the draft.
Marshon Lattimore's best days might be behind him, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. didn't work out in Washington (cut last season) and Benjamin St-Juste signed with the Chargers. The Commanders did add Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene, but I'm still pursuing playmakers in the secondary. Hairston plays to his 4.28 timed speed and had six INTs and 13 pass breakups over the past two seasons. Give him time to develop, and the Commanders could have themselves a solid starter on the outside.
The biggest benefit the Commanders have with this year's draft is that they don't necessarily need any player they draft to make an immediate impact. They have time to develop the players, which is what they will do if they can. Tannenbaum isn't the first to suggest the Commanders will select Hairston, although others have had the Commanders selecting a wide receiver, a tight end, an edge rusher, and more.
As with other NFL teams, the Commanders are undergoing a process to determine their best move.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders select SEC star in latest NFL mock draft
