NFL Draft: Ranking Commanders’ 7 Best Picks Over Last 5 Years
Sam Howell impressed in a Week 18 Washington Commanders win over the Dallas Cowboys and will enter the offseason program as the favorite to be the team's Week 1 starting quarterback.
If the Commanders hit on Howell, it would be quite the development. The former North Carolina Tarheel was the fifth player that Washington selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, ultimately being taken in the fifth round. Frankly, though, he has 19 pass attempts in the NFL. It's too early to tell one way or another what he'll be at this level.
While we wait for the chance to further evaluate Howell, here are the seven best NFL Draft picks that the Commanders have made over the past five years.
7. RB Brian Robinson Jr. - Third Round, No 98 Overall (2022)
Despite being shot twice in his right leg in an attempted robbery in August, Robinson returned to rush for 795 yards in 12 games in his rookie season. The Commanders could benefit from him taking a step forward in his second NFL campaign.
6. WR Jahan Dotson - First Round, No. 16 Overall (2022)
When the former Penn State star played in his rookie season, he was explosive. In 12 games, Dotson caught 35 passes for 523 yards and seven touchdowns. A left hamstring injury prevented Dotson from playing in five games in 2022, so staying healthy will be a priority for the speedy wideout moving forward.
5. RB Antonio Gibson - Third Round, No. 66 Overall (2020)
Perhaps more of a threat as a pass catcher than a rusher, Gibson has caught 124 passes for 894 yards in three seasons. Over that same period, he's also rushed for 21 touchdowns while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Gibson is entering a contract year, but regardless of what happens moving forward, Washington has gotten good value from the 24-year-old.
4. DE Chase Young - First Round, No. 2 Overall (2020)
We're torn here. On one hand, Young had 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2020, en route to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. On the other hand, he was underwhelming before tearing his ACL in November of 2021, and 2022 was essentially a lost year. It's also impossible to overlook the fact that Young was taken four picks before Justin Herbert, and Washington would certainly take the star quarterback now if they had a mulligan.
3. DE Montez Sweat - First Round, No. 26 Overall (2019)
When you're a first-round pick and your fifth-year option is exercised, it's typically a good sign. As he prepares to play on said option in his fifth year, Sweat has already accumulated 29 sacks, 10 pass deflections and seven forced fumbles across his first four seasons.
2. DT Daron Payne - First Round, No. 13 Overall (2018)
Like Sweat will do in 2023, Payne played on his fifth-year option in 2022. And he balled out, posting career highs in tackles for loss (18), sacks (11.5) and pass deflections (five). Back in March, the Commanders rewarded Payne with a four-year/$90 million extension, which includes $59 million guaranteed.
1. WR Terry McLaurin - Third Round, No. 76 Overall (2019)
Both in terms of where he was drafted at and the production he's turned in, McLaurin has been an excellent pick. In four seasons without any stability at quarterback, McLaurin has hauled in 299 passes for 4,281 yards and 21 touchdowns. Prior to the 2022 season, McLaurin inked a three-year/$68.4 million extension with the Commanders, with the former Ohio State Buckeye getting $53.2 million in guarantees.
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