NFL Draft: 3 Defensive Prospects Commanders Should Target After Great Combine Workout
The Washington Commanders have a solid defensive line group and could be looking to add to the linebacker room in this year's NFL Draft.
Both of those groups got the workouts started in front of Commanders scouts and decision-makers on Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine, and they did not disappoint.
Here are the players we see Washington eyeing in the upcoming draft that did well for themselves on the first day of workouts.
Northwestern Wildcats DE Adetomiwa Adebawore
Adebawore is going to be an interesting player to watch in the NFL Draft process.
He doesn't have the height and length combination most teams look for in a defensive end but doesn't have the mass of an interior defensive lineman either.
Still, the young man made plays during his career and flashed athleticism in Indianapolis that'll have several teams believing they can find a place for him in their defense.
Tennessee Volunteers DE Byron Young
We already talked to and about Alabama Crimson Tide defensive end Byron Young, but this time we're shining the light on Tennessee's young prospect with the same name.
Young wowed everyone with an NFL-official 4.43 40-yard dash and he didn't look all that labored in doing it.
Still, when looking back at the tape there's going to be a good amount of building in Young's game as a pro.
As a late Day 2 prospect, it would be intriguing to see what Commanders defensive line coaches Jeff Zgonina and Ryan Kerrigan could do with so much raw talent.
Iowa Hawkeyes LB Jack Campbell
Washington's linebacker position is a tough one to project because of Jamin Davis' continuing development and Cole Holcomb's injury that cost him 10 games this past season.
Campbell is a Holcomb-type of linebacker who showed fluid athleticism and short-area burst in his scouting combine performance.
Couple that with his tape and he's the kind of linebacker you could see playing for Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.
The only question is whether or not the team would invest a pick high enough to get Campbell considering the amount of devaluing the position has experienced in their scheme over the past two years.
Defensive line and linebacker aren't necessarily the two biggest areas of need for Washington, but there's an expectation that both groups could see new blood injected via the NFL Draft this offseason.
If Del Rio plans on reintroducing his linebackers as more critical parts of the defense this coming year, then a player like Campbell could certainly be targeted.
Meanwhile, the uncertainty surrounding defensive end Chase Young and his fifth-year option and Montez Sweat who is currently set to enter 2023 in the final year of his rookie contract, the Commanders should certainly be looking to reinforce the position on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82 and on the Locked On Commanders podcast.
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