NFL Draft: Could Commanders Trade Out of 16th Pick?
As other teams are preparing for playoff games, the Washington Commanders are preparing their strategy for all the offseason brings.
Including the NFL Draft.
Regardless of who the new offensive coordinator winds up being in Washington, the team already knows it needs to bolster its line.
Because of this, it's no surprise early mock drafts are pointing to the Commanders spending their first-round pick this year on an offensive lineman.
But there are still other options.
Like South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith, who The Draft Network predicts will land with Washington at the 16th overall pick.
"Washington's CB room simply isn't good enough for a team with playoff aspirations in 2023," says The Draft Network. "Cam Smith is a man-coverage corner with toughness, quick feet, and ball skills -- an immediate upgrade for the Commanders."
Besides the obvious concerns over another man-coverage corner - with no mention of zone awareness and ability - aside, there's another option to be considered here.
A trade.
Seven picks later, the New York Giants select Minnesota interior offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz, a player who could improve the middle of the Commanders line if he came to the DMV instead.
And according to the site evaluation, he could be in line to play guard or center.
While fans don't like to see teams trade inside the division, a trade back seven spots with the Giants could help solve a major problem for the Commanders.
But if Washington doesn't want to go that direction, obviously they could trade back and ahead of New York, or it could fall back as far as pick 25.
That pick is currently projected to the Los Angeles Chargers, who take Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones.
"Dawand Jones is a massive, powerful man who can start at RT from day one," says The Draft Network.
Better yet, taking Jones could help secure two spots, as Sam Cosmi then moves into right guard full-time.
Of course, trading back further provides more risk as other teams may get the jump on Washington's coveted player.
But it also provides the potential reward of bigger returns and the possibility of landing even more impact players to add to the roster.
Last year, the Commanders turned their 11th overall pick into receiver Jahan Dotson, running back Brian Robinson Jr., quarterback Sam Howell, and tight end Cole Turner.
And they did so because multiple receivers projected to get taken ahead of Dotson were still on the board, giving confidence to Washington that they could make the trade and still get their man.
Which they did.
And with the amount of mid to late Day 1 offensive line talent available in this year's draft class, it's clear the team may just have the opportunity to do it again.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82 and on the Locked On Commanders podcast.
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