Coming off of an 8-8-1 2022 campaign, the Washington Commanders have plenty of room for improvement. Washington was the only team in the NFC East division to not qualify for the postseason. This offseason during free agency, the Commanders as well as their divisional counterparts feel they have taken the proper steps to address positional needs.
The Commanders have had success with several of their top draft picks during the previous three seasons under head coach Ron Rivera. Last year’s top selection, wideout Jahan Dotson, did not disappoint in route to 35 catches for 523 yards and seven touchdowns. Dotson posted the numbers despite missing five games due to a hamstring injury.
The previous two first-round draft selections under Rivera are Jamin Davis in 2021 and Chase Young in 2020. Davis came on strong last year in his second season and Young made his way back from an ACL tear that derailed his development after a promising Rookie of the Year (ROY) campaign.
Now, an almost entirely different roster has been reshaped during Rivera’s tenure and as this year’s NFL draft approaches, the Commanders’ brain trust must execute even more with their evaluations and selections to keep pace within the division and NFC conference as a whole.
Rivera along with general manager Martin Mayhew met with the media about the status of the draft that takes place at Union Station Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri next week from April 27-29. The duo answered questions about the draft and if their past several drafts will affect this year’s situation.
“I think every situation is kind of new,” Rivera said. “This year we feel very comfortable going into the draft. I think with a lot of things that we did in free agency really helped us out. I thought Martin and the personnel group really came to us with a lot of positive players to look at, we were able to choose several guys that we feel very strongly about. We took a couple of starters from other teams and put them on our roster. We feel like we did a couple of good things.”
During free agency, Washington signed several offensive linemen most notably Andrew Wylie who the team envisions as the opening-day starter at right tackle. Wylie played under new Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in Kansas City so he should be familiar with the new offense that’s being installed.
The Commanders also signed center Nick Gates (New York Giants) and tackle Trent Scott (Pittsburgh Steelers) to compete and add depth along the offensive front.
The team resigned center Tyler Larson who was playing well until he suffered a season-ending dislocated right knee cap in December.
Washington signed veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett (Cleveland Browns) who has 48 career starts during his career to battle with second-year signal caller Sam Howell.
Washington also addressed the linebacker position which has been thin over the past several seasons. They signed Cody Barton (Seattle Seahawks) to a one-year deal.
The Commanders resigned cornerback Danny Johnson, special teams ace /safety Jeremy Reeves, and defensive lineman Efe Obada.
The team still needs to hit on their draft picks regardless of whether the free-agent signings have experience as starters around the league.
Mayhew feels the team could go in any direction during the draft because of the free-agent signings, however.
“That is a process that we always talk about in the personnel department. It is important to address those needs and to have key players at spots that are valued spots but you have to have a balanced team,” Mayhew said. “You have to have a deep team and a balanced team across the board. That is what our focus is. What coach said, I thought in free agency that we added some guys, some starters from other teams. Two offensive line starters from very good teams, playoff teams. We added a linebacker, quality player there. Added Jacoby [Brissett]. We did some things in free agency that we feel are very beneficial going into our draft. I feel like we have the ability to go anywhere in this draft.”
Washington must now be ready to strike proficiently next week as this year’s draft class could be the difference in forming a playoff team or a team that still is on the outside looking in.
Will the team select the best player on their board or will they take a position of need such as cornerback, offensive line, linebacker, or tight end?
Regardless, as Washington enters year four under Rivera and potential new ownership, fans will expect nothing short of a playoff berth. After the way the 2022 campaign ended with the team failing to win two crucial home games and then defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Howell’s first start, there is reason to be optimistic for redemption.
Failure, however, almost assuredly will have the team move on from Rivera.
The draft will go a long way in writing the story of the 2023 Commanders, Rivera, and the new ownership’s decisions for the future.
Washington is now on the clock.