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The Washington Commanders began play in 1932 as the Boston Braves. One year later, they were renamed the Boston Redskins. In 1937, the franchise moved to Washington and became known as the Washington Redskins until 2020, when they given the temporary moniker, the Washington Football Team. In 2022, Washington's NFL franchise changed its name to the Commanders.
Over the past 93 years, Washington has experienced considerable success, but also more than its share of struggles. The franchise has also had some of the greatest players in NFL history. Whether they were homegrown players or acquired through trade or free agency, Washington has had several Hall of Famers and Pro Bowlers throughout its history.
With the 2025 NFL draft coming this week, we thought it was time to review the best 10 first-round picks in Washington's history. Remember, these aren't necessarily the best players in franchise history, although several are, but the 10 best first-round picks.
The Commanders hit a home run in 2024, selecting quarterback Jayden Daniels No. 2 overall. Daniels broke numerous records and led Washington to its best season in 33 years. That's why Daniels kicked off this list, even if it's only been one year. Quarterbacks are different. And who knows what happens the rest of Daniels' career, but this isn't Dan Snyder's franchise anymore. Josh Harris will set up Daniels for success.
Here are the 10 best first-round picks in Washington franchise history. We did not include a particular order for these players.
Daniels has played in only 20 career games, with three coming in the playoffs. Daniels showed everything you want in a franchise quarterback, especially the clutch gene. He led Washington to its most successful season since 1991. All the arrows are pointing up for Daniels. Is it too soon to include Daniels here? Maybe. But you must not be too familiar with the franchise's QB drafting history.
Ryan Kerrigan played 11 NFL seasons, including 10 in Washington. After one season with the Eagles, he returned to Washington in 2022 as a member of the coaching staff, where he remains today. In 10 Washington seasons, Kerrigan broke the franchise's all-time sack record with 95.5, made four Pro Bowls and is a member of the 90 greatest players in franchise history. A Ring of Fame induction will come soon for Kerrigan.
Trent Williams is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The sad part is he didn't finish his career with Washington. After 10 seasons in Washington (he did not play in 2019), he was traded to the 49ers for peanuts during the 2020 NFL draft. Since going to San Francisco, Williams has been a three-time first-team All-Pro and will play his 16th NFL season at 37 this fall. Williams was dominant during his time with the Redskins and made the 90 greatest list alongside Kerrigan.
Sean Taylor only had four NFL seasons, but they were impactful. He made two Pro Bowls, but was having his best season yet until his tragic death in 2007. Taylor has since been inducted into the Ring of Fame, had his No. 21 retired and the team tried to honor him with a memorial outside of the stadium, but it did not go well. New ownership promised to make changes. Taylor would have been one of the NFL's greatest defensive players ever if he had continued his career. Taylor was feared for his size, power and hard-hitting, but no safety covered more ground than Taylor. And he was becoming a true student of the game.
The most overlooked player on this list, and it's a shame. Samuels was a dominant left tackle for the Redskins from 2000-09, but was forced to retire due to a neck injury before the 2010 season. That directly led new coach Mike Shanahan to pick Williams in the 2010 NFL draft. It's a shame that Washington didn't have a franchise quarterback because from 2000-19, no one had more consistent left tackle play. Samuels was a six-time Pro Bowler and is a member of the Ring of Fame.
Champ Bailey played 15 NFL seasons. Unfortunately, only the first five were with Washington. He was traded after the 2003 season, with a draft pick, to the Broncos for Clinton Portis. While Portis was great, it was always viewed as a terrible trade. Bailey wasn't coming back for many reasons, but throwing in a draft pick in this trade never made sense. Bailey made four Pro Bowls while with the Redskins and finished his career by making 12 total Pro Bowls, was a three-time first-team All-Pro, had 52 career interceptions and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
What a career. The last pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft, Green played 20 NFL seasons — all with the Redskins. For his career, Green won two Super Bowls, was a three-time first-team All-Pro, made seven Pro Bowls, was a member of the 1990s All-Decade team, is also a member of the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time team and a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Green is also in the Ring of Fame and finally had his No. 28 jersey retired last season. Green had 54 interceptions, six of which he returned for touchdowns.
When Art Monk retired, he was the NFL's all-time leader in receptions and held the record for most consecutive games with a reception. Monk was always criminally underrated because he played during the same era as Jerry Rice and had Gary Clark as a teammate. Monk is a three-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, a member of Washington's Ring of Fame, was on the 1980s All-Decade team and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Charley Taylor played 13 NFL seasons, all with the Redskins. He was a six-time All-Pro, an eight-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL in receptions twice, was the 1964 NFL Rookie of the Year, is in the Ring of Fame and also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After his playing career, Taylor coached Washington's wide receivers for 13 seasons, during which time he won three Super Bowls. Taylor is one of the greatest Washington sports legends of all time.
When people discuss the greatest players in franchise history, you sometimes hear that Baugh is omitted. That's preposterous. He can't help what era he played in, or that teams didn't really throw the ball that much. Here's the real issue: No one studied the franchise's history.
Here's a list of Baugh's accomplishments:
There were more accomplishments, but the point is clear.
Who do you believe are the 10 best Washington first-round picks? Let us know.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: The 10 best first-round picks in Commanders' franchise history
Continue reading...
Over the past 93 years, Washington has experienced considerable success, but also more than its share of struggles. The franchise has also had some of the greatest players in NFL history. Whether they were homegrown players or acquired through trade or free agency, Washington has had several Hall of Famers and Pro Bowlers throughout its history.
With the 2025 NFL draft coming this week, we thought it was time to review the best 10 first-round picks in Washington's history. Remember, these aren't necessarily the best players in franchise history, although several are, but the 10 best first-round picks.
The Commanders hit a home run in 2024, selecting quarterback Jayden Daniels No. 2 overall. Daniels broke numerous records and led Washington to its best season in 33 years. That's why Daniels kicked off this list, even if it's only been one year. Quarterbacks are different. And who knows what happens the rest of Daniels' career, but this isn't Dan Snyder's franchise anymore. Josh Harris will set up Daniels for success.
Here are the 10 best first-round picks in Washington franchise history. We did not include a particular order for these players.
QB Jayden Daniels | No. 2 | 2024
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Daniels has played in only 20 career games, with three coming in the playoffs. Daniels showed everything you want in a franchise quarterback, especially the clutch gene. He led Washington to its most successful season since 1991. All the arrows are pointing up for Daniels. Is it too soon to include Daniels here? Maybe. But you must not be too familiar with the franchise's QB drafting history.
DE/LB Ryan Kerrigan | No. 16 | 2011
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Ryan Kerrigan played 11 NFL seasons, including 10 in Washington. After one season with the Eagles, he returned to Washington in 2022 as a member of the coaching staff, where he remains today. In 10 Washington seasons, Kerrigan broke the franchise's all-time sack record with 95.5, made four Pro Bowls and is a member of the 90 greatest players in franchise history. A Ring of Fame induction will come soon for Kerrigan.
OT Trent Williams | No. 4 | 2010
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Trent Williams is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The sad part is he didn't finish his career with Washington. After 10 seasons in Washington (he did not play in 2019), he was traded to the 49ers for peanuts during the 2020 NFL draft. Since going to San Francisco, Williams has been a three-time first-team All-Pro and will play his 16th NFL season at 37 this fall. Williams was dominant during his time with the Redskins and made the 90 greatest list alongside Kerrigan.
S Sean Taylor | No. 5 | 2004
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Sean Taylor only had four NFL seasons, but they were impactful. He made two Pro Bowls, but was having his best season yet until his tragic death in 2007. Taylor has since been inducted into the Ring of Fame, had his No. 21 retired and the team tried to honor him with a memorial outside of the stadium, but it did not go well. New ownership promised to make changes. Taylor would have been one of the NFL's greatest defensive players ever if he had continued his career. Taylor was feared for his size, power and hard-hitting, but no safety covered more ground than Taylor. And he was becoming a true student of the game.
OT Chris Samuels | No. 2 | 2000
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The most overlooked player on this list, and it's a shame. Samuels was a dominant left tackle for the Redskins from 2000-09, but was forced to retire due to a neck injury before the 2010 season. That directly led new coach Mike Shanahan to pick Williams in the 2010 NFL draft. It's a shame that Washington didn't have a franchise quarterback because from 2000-19, no one had more consistent left tackle play. Samuels was a six-time Pro Bowler and is a member of the Ring of Fame.
CB Champ Bailey | No. 7 | 1999
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Champ Bailey played 15 NFL seasons. Unfortunately, only the first five were with Washington. He was traded after the 2003 season, with a draft pick, to the Broncos for Clinton Portis. While Portis was great, it was always viewed as a terrible trade. Bailey wasn't coming back for many reasons, but throwing in a draft pick in this trade never made sense. Bailey made four Pro Bowls while with the Redskins and finished his career by making 12 total Pro Bowls, was a three-time first-team All-Pro, had 52 career interceptions and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
CB Darrell Green | No. 28 | 1983
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What a career. The last pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft, Green played 20 NFL seasons — all with the Redskins. For his career, Green won two Super Bowls, was a three-time first-team All-Pro, made seven Pro Bowls, was a member of the 1990s All-Decade team, is also a member of the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time team and a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Green is also in the Ring of Fame and finally had his No. 28 jersey retired last season. Green had 54 interceptions, six of which he returned for touchdowns.
WR Art Monk | No. 18 | 1980
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When Art Monk retired, he was the NFL's all-time leader in receptions and held the record for most consecutive games with a reception. Monk was always criminally underrated because he played during the same era as Jerry Rice and had Gary Clark as a teammate. Monk is a three-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, a member of Washington's Ring of Fame, was on the 1980s All-Decade team and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
WR Charley Taylor | No. 3 | 1964
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Charley Taylor played 13 NFL seasons, all with the Redskins. He was a six-time All-Pro, an eight-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL in receptions twice, was the 1964 NFL Rookie of the Year, is in the Ring of Fame and also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After his playing career, Taylor coached Washington's wide receivers for 13 seasons, during which time he won three Super Bowls. Taylor is one of the greatest Washington sports legends of all time.
QB Sammy Baugh | No. 6 | 1937
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When people discuss the greatest players in franchise history, you sometimes hear that Baugh is omitted. That's preposterous. He can't help what era he played in, or that teams didn't really throw the ball that much. Here's the real issue: No one studied the franchise's history.
Here's a list of Baugh's accomplishments:
- 2-time NFL champion
- 8-time All-Pro
- 6-time Pro Bowler
- 4-time NFL passing yards leader, 2-time passing touchdown leader
- 1940s All-Decade team
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time team
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time team
- Washington's Ring of Fame
- Pro Football Hall of Fame
There were more accomplishments, but the point is clear.
Who do you believe are the 10 best Washington first-round picks? Let us know.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: The 10 best first-round picks in Commanders' franchise history
Continue reading...
