NFL Draft: Commanders Add Versatility in Key Position Groups on Day 2

Starting with a stunning second pick in the NFL Draft the Washington Commanders addressed two more ares of need in the second and third rounds.

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders already made some secondary-related headlines on Day 1 of the NFL Draft by selecting Mississippi State's Emmanuel Forbes, but that was nothing compared to the stunner they dropped on Day 2.

With many needs remaining for the Commanders like linebacker, defensive end, and even more work needed to secure and reinforce the offensive line, the team chose to address a glaring need in their secondary ... again.

It's not that the move doesn't make sense, we think it's just something that seems so unorthodox that nobody expected it. 

When you get down to the framework of the secondary in Washington, however, the move isn't that far-fetched of an idea. 

In fact, as the pick grew closer, there was growing speculation in the media group on site to cover the Commanders' draft activities that a defensive back could indeed be in play. 

On paper, the starting five in the Commanders secondary figure to be safeties Kamren Curl and Darrick Forrest, and cornerbacks Forbes, Benjamin St-Juste or Kendall Fuller, and second round pick Quan Martin.

Behind those five Washington has defensive backs like Percy Butler and Christian Holmes who have certainly flashed potential, and Danny Johnson who performed admirably as a nickel late in the year but has clear limitations, and All-Pro special teamer Jeremy Reaves.

With these picks, the question about Fuller's future are already coming into question, and after selecting Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg in the third round on top of signing free agent interior offensive lineman Nick Gates this offseason, so is veteran center's Chase Roullier.

Roullier is trying to come back from a second-straight season ending injury suffered before last regular season, and this may be signaling the team's unwillingness to wait for the veteran's health to keep up with his talent and ambitions to be a key contributor to the team. 

That's not a situation coach Ron Rivera was willing to discuss in depth on Friday night as the Commanders prepare for another day of picks, and eventually a reconciliation of their roster. 

Even more important than the immediate ties we can see to recent struggles from a couple of Washington's veterans, Rivera emphasized in his end of day press conference that versatility was still something at the forefront of everything they did.

Martin projects best in the slot, but has the ability to play anywhere in the secondary if the need arose while Stromberg has experience in multiple offensive line positions as well. 

Given the injuries and rotations the Commanders had to go through last season, it's easy to see why that flexibility would be even more valuable this time around than it may have been in previous years.

At the near midway point of this year's selection meeting it's clear Washington has addressed some immediate needs and has found three players that could prove valuable in the coming year. 

And really, even if it's not what we expected to happen exactly, the plan is understandable and the players added fit within the framework of it.

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

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