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The Washington Commanders own the 29th pick of the 1st round in the 2025 NFL draft, and general manager Adam Peters has a massive decision to make when they are on the clock.
With only five total picks in the draft, Peters and company might look to trade out of the first round to collect more draft assets, but they could also sit at pick 29 and select a player high on their board. Every year, a prospect falls down the draft boards farther than expected in the first round, and Washington could be the lucky team in 2025 to land the value player. Here's a look at five prospects who could potentially fall to the Commanders at pick 29, and force them to turn a card in instead of accepting calls for a trade back.
A popular name mentioned as a prospect falling out of the first round is the talented WR out of Missouri, Luther Burden III. After a down season in production, many draft analysts are having doubts about how high Burden III really goes in the 2025 NFL draft. NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah recently released his latest first-round mock draft, and Luther Burden III was a notable name not selected in the 1st round. Burden III tallied only 676 receiving yards in 2024, drastically lower than his 2023 production of 1,212 yards just a season before.
Context matters regarding stats, and the film shows that Luther Burden III can still be a key weapon in an NFL offense. Luther Burden III would be the perfect slot weapon for Kliff Kingsbury's offense with his ability to attack downfield using his ball tracking skills, as well as in the short passing game with his explosiveness and tackle-breaking ability. He's a big play waiting to happen anytime he gets his hands on the ball.
If the Commanders selected James Pearce Jr. at pick 29, they could check off the best player available and fill a major need. Pearce Jr. has been a name that many have questions about, including what kind of player he can be in the NFL and if he could be a 3-down EDGE for a defense. There are concerns about his frame, his motivation, and his limited snap counts compared to other top pass rushers in the draft.
James Pearce Jr. only played in 464 total defensive snaps in 13 games in 2024, which is drastically lower than other top pass rushers in the draft, such as Abdul Carter (734), Mike Green (719), and Donovan Ezeiruaku (766). Make no mistake about it, though, the 21-year-old EDGE still has a ton of raw speed, athleticism, and the production to match. Pearce Jr. finished with a total of 21 sacks and 71 hurries in the last two seasons, according to PFF, even with a lower snap count. Washington added depth to the defensive end position in free agency, and now it's time to find their difference maker, with James Pearce Jr. being an intriguing option for the Commanders.
Washington has to revive their run game, and the running back position is next on the list of needs after addressing the offensive line this offseason. Omarion Hampton is one of the more complete running backs in the 2025 NFL draft, but positional value might help him fall to the Commanders at 29. Hampton could very well be drafted in the top 15, but teams might covet other positions first in a deep running back class, such as corner, edge rushers, and offensive line.
The Commanders could use a true workhorse running back like Omarion Hampton, who showcases the perfect blend of speed, power, and contact balance. The former North Carolina running back posted video game-type numbers in his final college season with 2,033 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. Hampton finished second in the country in yards after contact with 1,222 yards behind only Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty. Selecting the 22-year-old Omarion Hampton at pick 29 could be the answer to the Commanders finding their franchise running back for a very long time.
Another position that could be affected by positional value is the safety position, which Malaki Starks out of Georgia headlines. Washington lost safety Jeremy Chinn in free agency but signed versatile veteran Will Harris to help fill in the safety room. The Commanders could absolutely still be in play for a game-changing safety such as Starks to help boost a defense that struggled to get turnovers. Washington finished the season with only seven interceptions on defense, which was the fourth-lowest in the league.
Starks is a high-IQ, sure-tackling safety who wields elite ball skills, which helped him bring in six interceptions with 17 passes defended in his three years at Georgia. The 21-year-old defender plays with fluid movement, which allows him to line up at free safety, strong safety, and slot corner. Size might be an issue for teams in the league, with Starks measuring in at just under 6-foot-1 and 197lbs, but his anticipation makes up for his size, and he has never shown it as an issue on film. If South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori is the first safety drafted, it could help Starks fall to the Commanders, landing them another defender in the secondary who plays with a dog mentality.
I wanted to have somewhat of a shocker as the final target, but Josh Simmons falling to the Commanders at 29 on an injury discount is a real possibility. Washington already added Laremy Tunsil in a shocking trade during free agency, solidifying the left tackle position on the offensive line, but they might not be finished building the trenches. Adding Simmons as the right tackle while moving Brandon Coleman to left guard would give the Commanders the best possible five players up front protecting Jayden Daniels.
Josh Simmons was playing like the clear best offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL draft before tearing his patellar tendon in his left knee in early October, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. The Ohio State offensive tackle plays with elite pad level, quickness, and flexibility, making him a high-end tackle for NFL teams in the draft. The move to right tackle would be a smooth transition for Simmons, who has experience on both sides of the offensive line. Simmons is well ahead of schedule and should be cleared before training camp if the Commanders were to select him at pick 29.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 5 prospects who could fall to the Commanders in 1st round of NFL draft
Continue reading...
With only five total picks in the draft, Peters and company might look to trade out of the first round to collect more draft assets, but they could also sit at pick 29 and select a player high on their board. Every year, a prospect falls down the draft boards farther than expected in the first round, and Washington could be the lucky team in 2025 to land the value player. Here's a look at five prospects who could potentially fall to the Commanders at pick 29, and force them to turn a card in instead of accepting calls for a trade back.
1. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
A popular name mentioned as a prospect falling out of the first round is the talented WR out of Missouri, Luther Burden III. After a down season in production, many draft analysts are having doubts about how high Burden III really goes in the 2025 NFL draft. NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah recently released his latest first-round mock draft, and Luther Burden III was a notable name not selected in the 1st round. Burden III tallied only 676 receiving yards in 2024, drastically lower than his 2023 production of 1,212 yards just a season before.
Context matters regarding stats, and the film shows that Luther Burden III can still be a key weapon in an NFL offense. Luther Burden III would be the perfect slot weapon for Kliff Kingsbury's offense with his ability to attack downfield using his ball tracking skills, as well as in the short passing game with his explosiveness and tackle-breaking ability. He's a big play waiting to happen anytime he gets his hands on the ball.
2. James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
If the Commanders selected James Pearce Jr. at pick 29, they could check off the best player available and fill a major need. Pearce Jr. has been a name that many have questions about, including what kind of player he can be in the NFL and if he could be a 3-down EDGE for a defense. There are concerns about his frame, his motivation, and his limited snap counts compared to other top pass rushers in the draft.
James Pearce Jr. only played in 464 total defensive snaps in 13 games in 2024, which is drastically lower than other top pass rushers in the draft, such as Abdul Carter (734), Mike Green (719), and Donovan Ezeiruaku (766). Make no mistake about it, though, the 21-year-old EDGE still has a ton of raw speed, athleticism, and the production to match. Pearce Jr. finished with a total of 21 sacks and 71 hurries in the last two seasons, according to PFF, even with a lower snap count. Washington added depth to the defensive end position in free agency, and now it's time to find their difference maker, with James Pearce Jr. being an intriguing option for the Commanders.
3. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Washington has to revive their run game, and the running back position is next on the list of needs after addressing the offensive line this offseason. Omarion Hampton is one of the more complete running backs in the 2025 NFL draft, but positional value might help him fall to the Commanders at 29. Hampton could very well be drafted in the top 15, but teams might covet other positions first in a deep running back class, such as corner, edge rushers, and offensive line.
The Commanders could use a true workhorse running back like Omarion Hampton, who showcases the perfect blend of speed, power, and contact balance. The former North Carolina running back posted video game-type numbers in his final college season with 2,033 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns. Hampton finished second in the country in yards after contact with 1,222 yards behind only Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty. Selecting the 22-year-old Omarion Hampton at pick 29 could be the answer to the Commanders finding their franchise running back for a very long time.
Omarion Hampton posted an incredible 9.93 RAS with a 4.47 40 at 6’0, 221lbs
But how’s the tape? Well…
contact balance
Day 1 plug-and-play starter. pic.twitter.com/KnhNYFXmAz
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 7, 2025
4. Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia
Another position that could be affected by positional value is the safety position, which Malaki Starks out of Georgia headlines. Washington lost safety Jeremy Chinn in free agency but signed versatile veteran Will Harris to help fill in the safety room. The Commanders could absolutely still be in play for a game-changing safety such as Starks to help boost a defense that struggled to get turnovers. Washington finished the season with only seven interceptions on defense, which was the fourth-lowest in the league.
Starks is a high-IQ, sure-tackling safety who wields elite ball skills, which helped him bring in six interceptions with 17 passes defended in his three years at Georgia. The 21-year-old defender plays with fluid movement, which allows him to line up at free safety, strong safety, and slot corner. Size might be an issue for teams in the league, with Starks measuring in at just under 6-foot-1 and 197lbs, but his anticipation makes up for his size, and he has never shown it as an issue on film. If South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori is the first safety drafted, it could help Starks fall to the Commanders, landing them another defender in the secondary who plays with a dog mentality.
5. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
I wanted to have somewhat of a shocker as the final target, but Josh Simmons falling to the Commanders at 29 on an injury discount is a real possibility. Washington already added Laremy Tunsil in a shocking trade during free agency, solidifying the left tackle position on the offensive line, but they might not be finished building the trenches. Adding Simmons as the right tackle while moving Brandon Coleman to left guard would give the Commanders the best possible five players up front protecting Jayden Daniels.
Josh Simmons was playing like the clear best offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL draft before tearing his patellar tendon in his left knee in early October, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. The Ohio State offensive tackle plays with elite pad level, quickness, and flexibility, making him a high-end tackle for NFL teams in the draft. The move to right tackle would be a smooth transition for Simmons, who has experience on both sides of the offensive line. Simmons is well ahead of schedule and should be cleared before training camp if the Commanders were to select him at pick 29.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 5 prospects who could fall to the Commanders in 1st round of NFL draft
Continue reading...
