Commanders Senior Bowl: 5 Offensive Prospects to Watch

The Washington Commanders are on the ground at the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl looking for new talent.
Commanders Senior Bowl: 5 Offensive Prospects to Watch
Commanders Senior Bowl: 5 Offensive Prospects to Watch /
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New Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters is going to build his new roster through the NFL Draft, and as they say, it all starts in Mobile, Alabama at the Reese's Senior Bowl.

With the NFL's first major scouting event taking place next week we're identifying five players to keep an eye on for Commanders fans who are on the lookout for soon-to-be rookies to join their squad.

Of course, we're starting with the quarterbacks that Washington will be watching next week.

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix throws down field against Oregon State during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 in Eugene.
© Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

QUARTERBACK BO NIX, OREGON DUCKS

The quarterback in this year's group projected the highest of them all is Oregon's Bo Nix, though Michael Penix Jr. from the Washington Huskies could threaten that status as we get closer to April's selection meeting.

Nix is thought of as a smart quarterback who had nearly 1,000 yards of deep ball production thanks in part to his arm strength.

However, his progression and footwork are areas scouts would like for Nix to improve in, and will be looking to see growth there in Mobile.

OTHER QBs TO WATCH: Michael Penix Jr., Washington - Spencer Rattler, South Carolina - Michael Pratt, Tulane - Joe Milton III, Tennessee - Sam Hartman, Notre Dame - Carter Bradley, South Alabama

OFFENSIVE TACKLE TROY FAUTANU, WASHINGTON HUSKIES

Fautanu is a noticeable presence on the offensive line and will have a lot of eyes on him as one of the better left tackles in this year's Senior Bowl group. 

Currently, Fautanu is Pro Football Focus' No. 35 ranked player on their big board, but a good week could see him climb on that list this time next weekend.

The Commanders are going to be looking for consistent hand placement and usage out of the tackle while expecting a strong physical and athletic performance.

OTHER OLs TO WATCH: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona - OG Cooper Beebe, Kansas State - OC Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon - OC Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia

RECEIVER XAVIER LEGETTE, SOUTH CAROLINA

Washington has a solid corps of receivers led by Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson but they could use the services of a taller target for whomever is quarterbacking the team in 2024. 

Legette stands taller than any other on the roster currently and has experience in the slot as well as out wide while dropping just two passes all of last season. 

He's a contested catch specialist who scouts are going to want to see plenty of next week and further down the draft evaluation process.

OTHER WRs TO WATCH: Devontez Walker, North Carolina - Ladd McConkey, Georgia - Brenden Rice, USC - Roman Wilson, Michigan

RUNNING BACK DYLAN LAUBE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Those who observed the Commanders in 2023 wanted to see more of running back Brian Robinson Jr. and first-year player Chris Rodriguez Jr. was rolling before suffering a season-ending ankle injury late in the season.

The duo gives Washington a solid pairing in the backfield group but not a lot of diversity between the two playing styles.

Laube is a Day 3 prospect who brought in 68 receptions last season for 708 receiving yards and offers up potential as a change of pace back when placed in a room featuring Robinson's downhill style.

OTHER RBs TO WATCH: MarShawn Lloyd, USC - Ray Davis, Kentucky - Jaylen Wright, Tennessee - Cody Schrader, Missouri

TIGHT END AJ BARNER, MICHIGAN

Barner plays at a position growing in importance every season in today's NFL and it just so happens to be one the Commanders could use some new blood in.

Logan Thomas is getting older, Jonathan Bates is solid but limited, and Cole Turner barely saw the field in his second season out of Nevada. 

Commanders Final Coach Pick: Quinn or Ben Or ... ?

Barner didn't get a whole lot of production as a receiver with the Wolverines, but a lot of that could be due to scheme and the presence of top talents at the running back and receiver positions to go with an athletic and aggressive quarterback.

NFL quarterbacks can't afford to rely on two targets alone, however, so he's likely to get more work in the pros, especially if he can show flashes as a blocker and receiver at the Senior Bowl.

OTHER TEs TO WATCH: Theo Johnson, Penn State - Ben Sinnott, Kansas State - Jaheim Bell, Florida State - Tanner McLachlan, Arizona


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David Harrison
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.