Could the Commanders draft a running back as high as No. 29 in this year's NFL draft?
Kevin Sheehan, on his Thursday morning program (The Team 980), asked Pro Football Focus draft analyst Trevor Sikkema specifically about the Commanders and running backs in this draft. Sheehan first asked about running backs being selected in the first round itself.
"I think the most we could get (in round one) is three," expressed Sikkema. "I think we are going to get two. I think after the combine, there was a lot of high praise for this group. Ok, does Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) sneak in? Does TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) sneak in? Does Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), with a good combine, potentially sneak in?"
"Ultimately, I think Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) and Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) are the only two running backs that we get into the first round. The over-unders that I have seen are set at 2.5, and I think that is a perfect line. I think the teams would tell themselves running back is really deep this year...there are a lot of running backs in this class that you could feel good about (drafting later)."
Sheehan asked, directly, "If Hampton were available at No. 29, what are the chances that he would be the top-rated player on Washington's board?"
"Now that's a great question. That's a great way to pose it," agreed Sikkema. "I have him at 24 overall on my board. So, if he ends up being their top player there (29), that could very well be the case."
Sikkema then pointed to edge rushers and defensive linemen that Adam Peters might have rated high. If they are available at 29, yes, he would automatically select one of them because the defense was weak last year. Yet, he left open the real possibility that Hampton, available at 29, might be something Peters would jump on, getting the second running back in the draft to help Jayden Daniels.
Here is the entire discussion https://www.audacy.com/podcast/the-kevin-sheehan-show-04012
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: How many RBs will be selected in the 2025 NFL draft first round?
