Washington Edged Out

The Washington Commanders did not draft an Edge Rusher. 

This is a problem. For some people. Though it is not apparent the Commanders themselves thought they needed an Edge Rusher. They do have time and money invested in the Players already on the Roster. And they picked players in the Draft they either knew from personal experience or spent R&D money on.

The only clue we really had as to what they were going to do was the Visits List. Did their Visits List align with their Big Board? I don't know. But none of the SEXY PICKS available aligned with their Big Board.

I don't think it is likely they will do anything about Edge Rusher going forward. Trey Hendrickson is intriguing. But don't expect them to bend over backwards to get him. There might be help available June 1st. There are some grizzled vets out there who could do a year or two. The Commanders are not allergic to older players. I like that about them. People still worry where sacks are going to come from. 

Coverage sacks should go up in 2025. Do they count? Maybe not.

Is this Draft a failure?

I don't think so. All five picks are going to play this year. Amos and Conerly Jr. could start. Jaylin Lane is going to star on Teams but he'll get out there with Jayden eventually. Croskey-Merritt may not get reps early but later in the year after the other backs have worn down he very well could. 

Medrano is going to play Special Teams but can you afford to keep fast linebackers on the bench in the NFC East? By the end of 2025, I expect snaps to come in droves for Kain Medrano.

Is Medrano the Edge? He can be devastating in the Blitz. But he's not big enough. We're trying not to get run over on the Edge. I argue stopping the run is more important than sacks from the Edge. It would be great if they found someone who did both on a full-time basis. They believe they already have candidates on staff. Maybe one guy. Maybe a platoon.

Starting in 2025, however, we are going to find out how good this regime is in the Draft. It is the second year for their first class. The notion this is a good learning institution will be tested. Is this staff a good teaching staff or do they have to have players who ALREADY know what they are doing?