The 2025 NFL draft is just a month away and the Washington Commanders have decisions to make, much like every other team in the NFL. They have the 29th overall pick in the draft but lack any picks in the third and fourth rounds because of trade activity. The Commanders lack draft capital in 2025 and 2026 because of trading, which is why ESPN's Bill Barnwell suggests that the Commanders trade the 29th overall pick.
This one might feel like a surprise. The Commanders were last year's surprise contenders. Teams with a star quarterback on a rookie deal typically get aggressive and move up the board, since they can use free agency to supplement their roster and aren't as reliant on adding cost-controlled starters around their signal-caller. And frankly, after nailing their QB selection and getting plaudits for turning their franchises around, general managers often get a little cocky about their ability to nail critical draft picks.
Washington is in a bit of a unique spot. While Jayden Daniels starred as a rookie, it had the league's seventh-oldest team on a snap-weighted basis. Commanders fans might point out that imports like tight end Zach Ertz and linebacker Bobby Wagner were outliers impacting those numbers, but they're both back in starting roles for 2025.
Brarnwell goes on to discuss the Commanders' trades that impacted their draft capital and why trading down to add more picks is a good idea.
The Commanders don't need to add a lot of heavy pieces this offseason; they simply need to tweak what they already have. So far, they have done that, and if Adam Peters drafts well, it won't matter that the Commanders rank at the bottom of the league in draft capital for 2025 and 2026. One piece Washington does need is edge rusher. Fortunately, that appears to be one of the deeper positions in next month's draft.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: NFL analyst: Commanders should trade down in 2025 NFL draft
