ESPN's Mike Clay Ranks Washington Commanders Roster Near Bottom of the League

If Mike Clay's roster projections lead directly to wins and losses the Washington Commanders will be picking early in the 2025 NFL Draft.

David Harrison | May 31, 2024

Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) scores on a touchdown reception during the second half in front of New York Giants safety Tony Jefferson (36) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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Washington Commanders

It's too early to fully look at the 2025 NFL Draft but when a team is in the situation the Washington Commanders are in it's hard to not take a peak toward the future at times.

With ESPN's Mike Clay releasing his 2024 NFL projections this week the Commanders future may still be bright, but the struggle to get to their next peak may not be over yet. In fact, it's likely not.

Predicted to win 5.7 games, six if you want to round up or five if you round down, which would lead to Washington having the fifth or sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) scores on a touchdown reception during the second half in front of New York Giants safety Tony Jefferson (36) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots are tied by Clay with a 5.7 win projection so the two teams would again face a tie-breaker situation like they did - along with the Arizona Cardinals - following the 2023 season.

Of course, that win total would include at least two underdog victories as Clay lists the Commanders as favored in just three games this year.

With the 29th ranked roster in the NFL according to these rankings, those three games come against the Arizona Cardinals (30th) and twice against the New York Giants (32nd). The most likely underdog victories for Washington will come against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (23rd ranked roster) and the New Orleans Saints (22nd). Both games come on the road this season.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

Published May 31, 2024

DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has covered the NFL since 2015 as a digital content creator in both written and audio media. He is the host of Locked On Commanders and a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. His previous career was as a Military Working Dog Handler for the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.