NFL Draft: Commanders Trade Back in Final First-Round Mock

Taking one last look at the NFL Draft's potential class of first-round picks, and the Washington Commanders' potential for surprising everyone.

Mock NFL Drafts are designed to spark conversation and ideate about things that could or should happen with teams like the Washington Commanders as they look to build upon the talent currently on their rosters. 

For the Commanders, we've seen a few different versions of what those on the outside believe might happen, but cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State) remains the popular pick at No. 16. 

In this one and only first-round mock, Porter Jr. does indeed go 16th, but not to Washington.

1. Carolina Panthers: QB Bryce Young, Alabama

Young has been the best quarterback in this class for a while now, and he's the one Carolina and new coach Frank Reich are betting their future with.

2. Indianapolis Colts (Trade w/ Houston): QB Will Levis, Kentucky

We don't think this should be the quarterback Indianapolis moves up for, but our gut says it's happening anyway.

3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama

Sticking and picking at No. 3 the Cardinals gladly take the draft's top defender.

4. Houston Texans (Trade w/ Indianapolis): EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech

In a top-heavy quarterback class, the Texans gladly trade back, net some more draft capital, and take one of the top pass rushers in the draft.

5. Seattle Seahawks: DL Jalen Carter, Georgia

Many believe the Seahawks will avoid Carter because of off-field concerns, we believe they'll draft the talent and rely on team leaders to help grow the man.

6. Detroit Lions: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas

This is a player that looks tailor-made for coach Dan Campbell, and the Lions are at their best offensively when they can run the ball.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

Most will expect the Raiders to take a quarterback here, but we think coach Josh McDaniels is good with riding Jimmy Garropolo for a year - and potentially trading for Trey Lance from San Francisco down the road - so they target the top cornerback in the class instead. 

8. Atlanta Falcons: QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State

The Falcons didn't plan to use No. 8 on a quarterback, but with Stroud sitting in the green room - because a quarterback always waits longer than we expected - they can't help pass him up. Maybe Desmond Ridder gets traded to Vegas?

9. Chicago Bears: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

Drafting Witherspoon is a move that makes sense for Chicago's needs, and his being an Illinois guy is a big bonus.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: OL Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

The Eagles get a position versatile lineman who will fold in nicely and start at guard on a once again stacked offensive line.

11. Green Bay Packers (Trade w/ Tennessee): WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

What better way to further Insult quarterback Aaron Rodgers than by doing something for quarterback Jordan Love that you didn't do for him since 2008 - draft a first-round receiver. 

12. Houston Texans: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida

A developmental quarterback for a developmental team. Looks like Davis Mills gets one more year as a starter in Houston.

13. Tennessee Titans (Trade w/ Green Bay): OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State

The Titans get to trade back and still get the guy they would've taken at No. 11.

14. New England Patriots: EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia

Really thought the Patriots might consider a quarterback here with all their Mac Jones drama, but will all four of the top guys gone, they turn to the defense instead.

15. New York Jets: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

The Jets preemptively drafted a first-round receiver for Rodgers, so now they do what Green Bay hasn't done since 2000, and give their quarterback a top tight end.

16. Los Angeles Chargers (Trade w/ Washington): CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

Sensing a run on trench players coming, the Commanders bow out to gain capital and wait to get their guy while the Chargers jump ahead of Pittsburgh to boost their secondary.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia

Young quarterbacks need weapons and protection. Jones helps Kenny Pickett use the weapons he has and immediately makes Najee Harris a better running back.

18. Detroit Lions: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU

Detroit adds a solid running mate to go with Amon-Ra St. Brown and suddenly has the most dangerous offense in the NFC North.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DL Calijah Kancey, PITT

This is the second year the Bucs have been looking to improve their pass rush and finally get a guy who fits well with defensive tackle Vita Vea and ensures outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett has room to operate.

20. Seattle Seahawks: WR Jordan Addison, USC

If you're not getting a quarterback of the future, get Geno Smith another receiver to make his life a little easier.

21. Washington Commanders (Trade w/ Chargers): TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah

Washington has a new assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy, and the only thing truly missing from what we expect his offense to be is an explosive tight end. 

The Commanders also have a young quarterback getting set to lead the team in Sam Howell. 

And starting tight end Logan Thomas is getting older and continually battling injuries to stay on the field. 

That's three classic reasons for a team to invest in a first-round tight end, and this is the best group of them we've seen in over a decade if not more.

22. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson

With Murphy on the board, Baltimore runs this card to the podium.

23. Minnesota Vikings: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College

The Vikings won't be concerned with spending their first pick on the fourth receiver taken given that Justin Jefferson was the fifth in 2020.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: S Brian Branch, Alabama

Nothing not to like about Branch who brings talent and versatility to Jacksonville's secondary.

25. New York Giants: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland

With Branch gone, the Giants target their nickel position. 

26. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

Bonus Prediction: Star linebacker Micah Parsons will appreciate the media reaction following this pick.

27. Buffalo Bills: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee

This will be tagged as a move to further protect quarterback Josh Allen but is really aimed at improving the team's rushing attack. Wright will do both.

28. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

Considered taking the second running back off the board here, but Forbes feels like too good a fit in Cincinnati to pass up.

29. New Orleans Saints: OG O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida

We went back and forth here between a defensive lineman and an interior offensive lineman and ultimately settled on Torrence because he's a beast who helps new quarterback Derek Carr get New Orleans' offense back on track.

30. Los Angeles Rams (Trade w/ Philadelphia): EDGE Will McDonald IV, Iowa State

The Rams move up - but don't have to give up too many future picks to do it - and grab an edge rusher to make sure defensive lineman Aaron Donald doesn't have to do all the defensive dirty work by himself.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: DL Mazi Smith, Michigan

The rich get richer here as Chris Jones gets a buddy on the defensive line to help the defending Super Bowl Champions hold off the offensive improvements made by other AFC contenders.

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

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