The 2025 NFL draft is finally HERE. The Washington Commanders hold five total picks in the draft with picks 29, 61, 128, 205, and 245. General manager Adam Peters said you have to build through the draft, so let’s take a look at my final mock draft predicting who will be the future young core for the Commanders.
Round: 1 Pick: 29
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Washington seems like a candidate to trade back due to the lack of picks in the draft, but the sense around the league is that there won’t be many trades in the first, and if there are any, it’s likely to happen in front of Washington for a quarterback. The Commanders absolutely must nail this pick, so we are going with quality over quantity with this selection. Donovan Ezeiruaku had a pre-draft visit to Washington, so the Commanders got to spend plenty of time with him.
A run on quarterbacks helps Ezeiruaku fall to Washington at 29. There’s a likely chance that teams prioritize size and combine numbers over production, as they do every year (e.g., Travon Walker). Therefore, I have Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart going before Donovan Ezeiruaku, who stands at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds. Washington receives a significant boost on the defensive line with a prospect who fits the typical Dan Quinn prototype of a stand-up, two-point stance pass rusher and delivers big-time production.
Ezeiruaku recorded elite numbers last season with 14 sacks, 26 hurries, and an 18.2% pass rush win rate. He was also a game wrecker in the run game with a 10.1% run stop in 2024. Donovan plays with elite speed and bend off the line that will give offensive tackles a lot of problems, and his hand usage is very effective, including his cross chop. If Donovan Ezeiruaku is off the board at 29, defensive end Nic Scourton is my pick.
TRADE: Round: 3 Pick: 70 (via JAX)
Kevin Winston Jr, Safety, Penn State
Washington sends pick 61 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for picks 70, 126, and 182. The Commanders fill a need at the safety position, and also get a really good value on Kevin Winston Jr., who falls down the board into the early third round from his injury in 2024. Winston Jr. is the perfect replacement for Jeremy Chinn, who signed with the Raiders in Free Agency, and has a higher ceiling as a coverage safety. Kevin was one of the top prospects to attend the Commanders’ local pro day as well, so they got to see him in person to check out the injury recovery.
The Maryland native finished the 2023 season with elite film that made him a worthy first-round pick going into the 2024 season. He’s a very physical safety who can play in the box, but also out in coverage at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds. Winston Jr. fits the kind of playing style that Dan Quinn has built in a short time in Washington, serving as a tempo setter on defense with high IQ play. He partially tore his ACL early in the 2024 season, but he’s well ahead of schedule and ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at Penn State’s pro day.
Kevin Winston Jr. has the making of an elite safety for a long time, whether it’s being sticky out in coverage, or running downhill on a run play, and should be good to go on full contact by training camp. I believe Femi Oladejo will still be on the board here, too, if they address another position at 29, or Andrew Makuba if they still go with a safety.
Round: 4 Pick: 126
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
The Commanders have done a very detailed dive into the running back class throughout the draft process, and seem to be looking for their new playmaker in the backfield. Bhayshul Tuten goes off the board here at pick 126 to Washington, and will be an instant impact that fits what they are looking for. Tuten plays with the perfect blend of speed and power, and defenders had a hard time bringing him down with his 4.32 40-yard dash speed and 5-foot-9, 206-pound compact bowling ball-type frame.
Bhayshul finished 2024 with 806 rushing yards after contact and forced 62 missed tackles. The former Hokie possesses big-play ability that is missing in Washington, with 15 touchdowns on the ground in 2024 and 21 big-time runs of 15 yards or more. Washington really wants a balanced back that can do it all in the backfield, and Tuten has plenty of receiving experience from being used mainly as a wide receiver at North Carolina A&T before he transferred to Virginia Tech. The Commanders have shown a great deal of interest in Tuten and have held a private workout, as well as numerous meetings with the local prospect this offseason.
This draft is loaded with talent at the running back position, but it’s all about finding who fits your offense the most. For Washington, it’s Bhayshul Tuten as long as he can protect the ball and grow as a pass protector. Texas running back Jaydon Blue is my other option at this pick if Tuten is already gone.
Round: 4 Pick: 128
Tai Felton, WR, Maryland
Although Washington traded for Deebo Samuel and signed Michael Gallup in the offseason, Washington desperately needs to build the future young core of the wide receiver room. It could draft one of their favorite prospects at pick 128. The Commanders have been a standout team with many meetings with Felton and attended his pro day workout at Maryland, as well as the local pro day in Washington.
Felton appears to be a perfect fit in Washington’s offense, thanks to his ability to stretch the field as a true threat, given his 4.37 40-yard dash speed. He finished the 2024 season as his most productive with 96 receptions (2nd most in FBS per PFF) for 1,124 yards (12th most in FBS per PFF) and added nine touchdowns through the air. Tai would be a great screen threat in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense from the outside or in the slot, and forced 26 missed tackles with his smaller body size at 6-foot-1 185 pounds.
The local native runs crisp routes and has really sharp breaks to create separation in his breaking points of his routes. Washington lands a major offensive weapon for the 2025 season and beyond. Another wide receiver I’m high on at this pick, if Washington misses out on Felton, is Pat Bryant out of Illinois.
Round: 6 Pick: 182
Jason Marshall Jr, CB, Florida
This would probably be my favorite pick in the draft if Washington can land cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. at pick 182. Marshall Jr. is another player who will likely fall down the boards due to his 2024 injury, but he possesses more talent than many corners taken before him. He was considered to be a late first-round pick going into his final season at Florida, but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury back in October. This is incredible value for the player you’re getting in Marshall Jr., and I believe he can be a starting corner in the NFL.
Marshall fits the mold of what Washington wants in an outside corner as he excels in press-man coverage (99th percentile in sinlge coverage), and also very fluid and reactive in zone coverage. The former Gator may not have the interception numbers coming out of college, but he still had 25 pass breakups and only allowed 27 catches in his last 19 games in college. Marshall Jr recovered from his injury and really impressed scouts this offseason with a 37.5″ vertical, a 10’5″ broad jump, and a 1.54 10-yard split on his 4.49 40-yard dash. He’s also a really physical run-stopper and loves to stick his helmet in the backfield after reading and reacting on plays.
Washington lands a high-upside corner who has the goods of a starting corner in the league with Jason Marshall Jr., and it wouldn’t surprise me if he started opposite Lattimore next season with Sainristil going back into the slot. The Commanders also had a recent Zoom meeting with the intriguing prospect. If Marshall isn’t on the board, Jaylin Smith from USC is another outside corner that Washington has shown a lot of interest in.
Round: 6 Pick: 205
Esa Pole, OT, Washington State
Washington made major improvements to the offensive line in the offseason, including a massive trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, but they still need more additions to the line. Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie are expected to compete for the right tackle position, but both have high upside at the guard position as well. The Commanders have explored numerous offensive tackle options for the draft, including significant interest in Esa Pole, who has garnered attention from multiple teams.
Pole never played football in high school and transitioned from playing basketball to becoming a big-time prospect on the offensive line. He’s still really raw as a prospect with 1,434 snaps in 2 years of college football, but he really found his groove in 2024. Esa didn’t allow a single sack in 2024 on 498 pass blocking snaps, and showed a lot of great techniques to work with. He measured in at 6-foot-5 and 323lbs with 34″ arms, and could also be moved into guard as well if needed. In a short time at the position, Pole has learned how to transition his athleticism to the football field, and it shows in his excellent footwork and movement skills.
Esa Pole finished with an 85.8 pass blocking grade on PFF in his final season, and he still has the best ahead of him. There’s a fall off on offensive tackle talent in the draft, so it’s well worth taking the swing on a guy like Pole who could have even more untapped potential to add to his current skill set. Washington is still lacking true depth on the offensive line, and could fill in the guard and tackle depth with Coleman, Wylie, or Pole all having the position flexibility. I’m also really interested in Carson Vinson at offensive tackle around this range of the draft.
Round: 7 Pick: 245
Chandler Martin, LB, Memphis
Chandler Martin is one of the most underrated players in the draft, and he showed on film that he’s a big-time playmaker who brings the juice on every snap. He measured at 5-foot-11 and 229 pounds this offseason, so size will hurt his stock, but Martin can be a really good linebacker in the league based on his skill set and effort. Martin is one of the most athletic linebackers in the draft with a 4.22 shuttle, a 4.54 40-yard dash with a 1.58 10-yard split, and 37″ vertical. He plays with elite sideline-to-sideline speed and a high motor, and he can be a very physical tackler to set the tone on defense.
Chandler Martin excels in all of his responsibilities when it comes to stopping the run, rushing the quarterback, or dropping into coverage. He finished his very productive college career with 206 tackles, 33 tackles for a loss, and 10 sacks over his last two seasons. Washington is really high on last year’s pick in Jordan Magee, who battled some injuries in his rookie season, but they still really need another linebacker for depth.
A year learning from Bobby Wagner in likely his last season before he retires, and Frankie Luvu, who plays with the same intensity, could help Chandler Martin out a lot. Chandler can be a Day 3 prospect who plays well enough to earn legitimate playing time. Washington also had a recent virtual meeting with Martin. Eugene Asante is my backup linebacker if Martin goes earlier than 245.
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