NFL Draft Recap: Washington Commanders: 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

May 4, 2023

2023 NFL Draft recap for the Washington Commanders. Which positions did they address? Which players did they draft?

The Washington Commanders made seven picks during the 2023 NFL Draft. They used three selections on offense and the other four on defense.

Washington didn’t have their third-round pick this year, as it belonged to the Indianapolis Colts as part of the Carson Wentz trade last year. However, the team did have a compensatory third-round pick (No. 97 overall) after they lost Brandon Scherff in free agency last offseason.

Typically the Commanders don’t move around during the NFL Draft. However, they made a trade this year with the Buffalo Bills. Washington sent picks No. 150 and 215 to Buffalo for pick No. 137.

Who Did The Washington Commanders Draft On Offense?

Washington waited until the third round to add an offensive player. They selected Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg with the 97th overall pick. Stromberg will have a chance to earn a starting role as a rookie.

The Commanders then used their next pick on another offensive lineman. Washington selected guard Braeden Daniels in the fourth round, pick 118 overall. The team added several offensive linemen this offseason, suggesting it will be a wide-open competition in training camp.

After using their next pick on defense, the Commanders used a sixth-round selection on Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. The team has Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson Jr. but needed some more depth at the running back position. More importantly, Rodriguez had the highest PFF grade by any SEC running back last year.

Who Did The Washington Commanders Draft On Defense?

Most mock drafts had Washington drafting a cornerback in the first round. Therefore, it’s no surprise the team drafted Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes with their first-round pick. Team president Jason Wright said the rookie cornerback reminds him of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Washington didn’t stop there. They used their second-round pick on defensive back Jartavius Martin. The former Illinois star had three interceptions and 11 passes defended last year, a career-high.

The team also used a pair of Day 3 picks on two edge rushers. They selected Clemson’s KJ Henry in the fifth round and Louisiana’s Andre Jones Jr. in the seventh. With Chase Young and Montez Sweat heading into the final year of their contracts, Washington wisely invested in a pair of edge rushers with upside.

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