NFL Draft: Could Commanders Draft Kicker?

The Washington Commanders need a kicker, though it may not be towards the top of the list of needs in this year's NFL Draft.

The Washington Commanders changed kickers this offseason, going from Joey Slye to Jacksonville Jaguars veteran Brandon McManus.

McManus signed a one-year deal with the Commanders in free agency, which means the team doesn't have a long-term commitment at the position.

Will Reichard

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Could they look to the draft to add a special teams contributor?

New Commanders general manager Adam Peters has been part of the San Francisco 49ers front office since 2017, and the team had spent an early pick on a punter in Mitch Wishnowsky in 2019 and another one on kicker Jake Moody last year.

There's no disputing how important special teams are, and the 49ers clearly realize that with how early they took Moody and Wishnowsky. With how loaded San Francisco's roster is, it has the luxury to take special teams players earlier than most teams.

Given the roster turnover Washington will need to go if it's going to become a contender, taking a kicker or punter in the top-four rounds of the draft will likely cause Commanders fans to rip their hair out. 

But, it certainly is a need, and Peters taking a kicker cannot be ruled out ... especially if there is someone on the board he's a fan of.