NFL Mock Draft: Commanders Fill 'Strong Need' With First Pick?

The Washington Commanders have many needs, but could they fulfill their strongest one going into the draft?

Jeremy Brener | Jan 21, 2023

The Washington Commanders have a couple pressing needs going into this year's NFL Draft ... quarterback, offensive line, linebacker, and perhaps the 'strongest need' at cornerback.

In NFL.com's first mock draft, the Commanders are slated to take Oregon Ducks cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 16th pick.

"Gonzalez (6-foot-2, 201 pounds) has an ideal blend of size, speed and fluidity. He struggled a little early in the season, but kept getting better throughout the year," NFL.com writes. "Washington has a strong need at the position."

The strong need stems from the team sending William Jackson III to the Pittsburgh Steelers just ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline.

The team will start Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste at the top of the depth chart going into the league year. But Fuller has just one year left on his four-year contract he signed in 2020. St-Juste is improving, but questions remain as to whether he will be a true No. 1 cornerback option in the NFL.

Gonzalez has potential to be that. In fact, he's been a popular pick for the Commanders in other mock drafts.

"Gonzalez is one of the most scheme-versatile cornerbacks in the class," writes PFF. "With a level of fluidity and explosiveness you rarely see in a 6-foot-2 player at the position. He picked off four passes and broke up six more in his first season with Oregon in 2022."

The Draft Network claims that Gonzalez could be the "best cover corner" coming into the draft.

Gonzalez has been continuing to rise in recent mock drafts, so the question remains as to whether he'll even be available when the Commanders are on the clock.

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Published Jan 21, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.