Commanders Need Secondary Help; Can GM Adam Peters Help?

The Washington Commanders drafted two defensive backs to start off the 2023 NFL Draft, but the unit didn't perform up to standards this past season.

Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin represent the future of the Commanders secondary, but there's a chance that new general manager Adam Peters could look into adding more rookies to the position group.

Adam Peters

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Here's a look at Peters' history in drafting defensive backs ...

Defensive backs:

2017: Ahkello Witherspoon - 3rd round (66)

2017: Adrian Colbert - 7th round (229)

2018: Tarvarius Moore - 3rd round (95)

2018: D.J. Reed - 5th round (142)

2018: Marcell Harris - 6th round (184)

2019: Tim Harris - 6th round (198)

2021: Ambry Thomas - 3rd round (102)

2021: Deommodore Lenoir - 5th round (172)

2021: Talanoa Hufanga - 5th round (180)

2022: Samuel Womack - 5th round (172)

2022: Tariq Castro-Fields - 6th round (221)

2023: Ji'Ayir Brown - 3rd round (87)

2023: Darrell Luter - 5th round pick (155)

2023: Jalen Graham - 7th round (255)

The 49ers have built a solid secondary despite not spending a pick before the third round on a defensive back. No player has panned out better for San Francisco than Hufanga.

The third-year safety was a First-Team All-Pro in 2022 with four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two sacks. Hufanga was well on his way toward another great season before tearing his ACL just past the midway point of the year.

Lenoir, Thomas and Brown combined for six interceptions last season.

After Washington spent a first and second-round pick on secondary players last draft, it appears highly unlikely Peters will take the same approach this year. While improving the secondary should be one of the team's needs, that likely won't come until the third round or later. And if he lands a player similar to Hufanga in the process, it won't matter what pick it took to land that player.