NFL Draft: Which Commanders Pick Was The 'Worst'?

The Washington Commanders took Clemson defensive end KJ Henry in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Adding to a position of need doesn't always equate to a pick being well-received. 

CBS Sports believes that was the case with the Washington Commanders trading up to take Clemson defensive end KJ Henry in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

"[Henry] looks the part as a strong EDGE," CBS Sports writes. "[He's a] three-down type who's better against the run than anything else. Pass-rush move arsenal is almost non-existent. Will win at times simply due to his frame + power."

Henry saw significant playing time in four of his five years at Clemson. In 2022, He set a career high in tackles (51) and tackles for loss (nine). Henry's 51 tackles more than doubled his previous career high of 23 in 2020. 

The 6-4, 294-pound defensive end also had to share time on the defensive line alongside Bryan Breese and Myles Murphy, both of whom were taking in the first round of the 2023 draft. 

The addition of Henry adds to a position full of uncertainty in 2023 and beyond for the Commanders. Defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young are each on the final years of their rookie contracts, and the odds Washington keeps both are slim, especially with defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Da'Ron Payne signed to long-term deals. 

Given that uncertainty, Henry will likely have a chance to play, and if he builds on a career-year in 2022 at Clemson, Washington may have found something in its fifth round pick.  

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