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The Washington Commanders were busy this offseason. While the Commanders weren't big spenders in what everyone acknowledged was an overall weak free-agent class, Washington focused on re-signing key free agents and acquiring high-profile starters via trade.
Both of the Commanders' trade acquisitions were on offense. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil are expected to help take Washington's offense to another level. Samuel gives quarterback Jayden Daniels another legitimate weapon opposite Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz, while Tunsil remains one of the NFL's best left tackles.
Those trades have left Washington with only five picks in next week's 2025 NFL draft. Remember, the Commanders also traded for cornerback Marshon Lattimore at last season's NFL trade deadline. Throughout this pre-draft process, Washington has spent considerable time attending pro days across the country, focusing on wide receiver and running back, among other positions.
It seems unlikely that the Commanders will spend a first-round pick on a wide receiver, unless someone like Matthew Golden inexplicably falls. Washington needs another receiver for 2025. However, it's worth noting that McLaurin and Samuel are in the final year of their respective contracts, while Noah Brown, K.J. Osborn and Michael Gallup all signed one-year deals. The Commanders believe Luke McCaffrey will take a significant step next season, but they also must have an eye on the future, too.
We identify six receivers that Washington could target after the first round. We didn't include someone like Luther Burden, who we believe could still sneak into the first round. There are a couple of others on our list that could also sneak into the first round.
The Commanders like Harris, and he'd give them a big-bodied wide receiver who could make plays down the field or after the catch. Harris responded to a step up in competition by dominating the SEC over the last two years. Harris is another guy who could sneak into the first round, but probably lands somewhere in the early-to-mid second round. What if general manager Adam Peters moved back 10 spots and landed Harris? That would be an excellent scenario for the Commanders. Harris and Daniels would be a fun pairing for years to come.
Higgins is another receiver the Commanders like. And, like Harris, we believe Higgins could sneak into the first round. Higgins has every trait teams love in the NFL. He has the size (6-foot-4, 214), speed (4.47 40-yard dash), college production and also dominated the Power Four after stepping up from the FCS (Eastern Kentucky). What you notice about Higgins is that in addition to his height, he is extremely long. He plays like a big receiver, which not all of them do. Higgins can come in immediately and deep threat for Daniels. If the Commanders drafted Higgins, it would likely be a similar scenario to the one we mentioned for Harris.
Jaylin Lane is a different type of receiver than Higgins and Harris. He's smaller (5-foot-10, 191), but offers more versatility. Lane is not only fast (4.32 40), but he also displayed elite short-area quickness at the NFL combine. Lane produced when given the opportunity for the Hokies. What's most exciting about Lane is that he offers some similar traits to Samuel, but with much more speed. Lane isn't the bruising runner that Samuel is, but he is terrific after the catch. He is also an excellent deep threat and can help as a punt returner. Washington needs a punt returner and a speedy receiver. The question with Lane is, how high will he go? At this point, the Commanders would need to use the 61st overall pick on Lane, or, hopefully, trade back and land him early in the third round. Lane is a player who may go higher than some envision next week.
Royals is built more like a running back (6-foot-0, 205), with plenty of speed. Royals is similar to McLaurin in that he is surprisingly excellent at contested catches. Royals isn't going to be as explosive of a downfield threat as Lane could be, but could come right in and operate as an excellent target for Daniels underneath. Much like the other receivers on this list, Royals is impressive after the catch. It's no coincidence that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury values that skill set in his receivers.
Kyle Williams is one of the more popular names in this draft. We've literally heard him going anywhere from the second to the fourth round. Let's get this out of the way: Williams will be long gone before the fourth round. Williams has average size (5-foot-11, 190), but has really good speed and thrives as a downfield threat. Williams is another receiver who creates yards after the catch. Williams is not known to have the best hands, but it's an area where he can and should improve. Williams is a big play waiting to happen.
Jack Bech will not blow you away in any area, but he has solid size (6-foot-1, 214), speed and is powerful after the catch. That's where Bech really stands out. He can win at the line of scrimmage and will fight for every target. Bech is physical on every play and could come in and be a solid contributor right away. Bech has a different skill set than some of the others, but he does a little bit of everything right. While Bech will not blow you away as an athlete, his intangibles scream "Adam Peters/Dan Quinn guy." Bech was at LSU with Daniels in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 6 potential WR targets for Commanders after 1st round
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Both of the Commanders' trade acquisitions were on offense. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil are expected to help take Washington's offense to another level. Samuel gives quarterback Jayden Daniels another legitimate weapon opposite Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz, while Tunsil remains one of the NFL's best left tackles.
Those trades have left Washington with only five picks in next week's 2025 NFL draft. Remember, the Commanders also traded for cornerback Marshon Lattimore at last season's NFL trade deadline. Throughout this pre-draft process, Washington has spent considerable time attending pro days across the country, focusing on wide receiver and running back, among other positions.
It seems unlikely that the Commanders will spend a first-round pick on a wide receiver, unless someone like Matthew Golden inexplicably falls. Washington needs another receiver for 2025. However, it's worth noting that McLaurin and Samuel are in the final year of their respective contracts, while Noah Brown, K.J. Osborn and Michael Gallup all signed one-year deals. The Commanders believe Luke McCaffrey will take a significant step next season, but they also must have an eye on the future, too.
We identify six receivers that Washington could target after the first round. We didn't include someone like Luther Burden, who we believe could still sneak into the first round. There are a couple of others on our list that could also sneak into the first round.
Tre Harris, Ole Miss
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The Commanders like Harris, and he'd give them a big-bodied wide receiver who could make plays down the field or after the catch. Harris responded to a step up in competition by dominating the SEC over the last two years. Harris is another guy who could sneak into the first round, but probably lands somewhere in the early-to-mid second round. What if general manager Adam Peters moved back 10 spots and landed Harris? That would be an excellent scenario for the Commanders. Harris and Daniels would be a fun pairing for years to come.
Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
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Higgins is another receiver the Commanders like. And, like Harris, we believe Higgins could sneak into the first round. Higgins has every trait teams love in the NFL. He has the size (6-foot-4, 214), speed (4.47 40-yard dash), college production and also dominated the Power Four after stepping up from the FCS (Eastern Kentucky). What you notice about Higgins is that in addition to his height, he is extremely long. He plays like a big receiver, which not all of them do. Higgins can come in immediately and deep threat for Daniels. If the Commanders drafted Higgins, it would likely be a similar scenario to the one we mentioned for Harris.
Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
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Jaylin Lane is a different type of receiver than Higgins and Harris. He's smaller (5-foot-10, 191), but offers more versatility. Lane is not only fast (4.32 40), but he also displayed elite short-area quickness at the NFL combine. Lane produced when given the opportunity for the Hokies. What's most exciting about Lane is that he offers some similar traits to Samuel, but with much more speed. Lane isn't the bruising runner that Samuel is, but he is terrific after the catch. He is also an excellent deep threat and can help as a punt returner. Washington needs a punt returner and a speedy receiver. The question with Lane is, how high will he go? At this point, the Commanders would need to use the 61st overall pick on Lane, or, hopefully, trade back and land him early in the third round. Lane is a player who may go higher than some envision next week.
Jalen Royals, Utah State
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Royals is built more like a running back (6-foot-0, 205), with plenty of speed. Royals is similar to McLaurin in that he is surprisingly excellent at contested catches. Royals isn't going to be as explosive of a downfield threat as Lane could be, but could come right in and operate as an excellent target for Daniels underneath. Much like the other receivers on this list, Royals is impressive after the catch. It's no coincidence that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury values that skill set in his receivers.
Kyle Williams, Washington State
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Kyle Williams is one of the more popular names in this draft. We've literally heard him going anywhere from the second to the fourth round. Let's get this out of the way: Williams will be long gone before the fourth round. Williams has average size (5-foot-11, 190), but has really good speed and thrives as a downfield threat. Williams is another receiver who creates yards after the catch. Williams is not known to have the best hands, but it's an area where he can and should improve. Williams is a big play waiting to happen.
Jack Bech, TCU
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Jack Bech will not blow you away in any area, but he has solid size (6-foot-1, 214), speed and is powerful after the catch. That's where Bech really stands out. He can win at the line of scrimmage and will fight for every target. Bech is physical on every play and could come in and be a solid contributor right away. Bech has a different skill set than some of the others, but he does a little bit of everything right. While Bech will not blow you away as an athlete, his intangibles scream "Adam Peters/Dan Quinn guy." Bech was at LSU with Daniels in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 6 potential WR targets for Commanders after 1st round
Continue reading...
