After the Washington Commanders drafted Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round, they still had several positional needs.
The team’s first-round pick was immediately met with confusion and frustration on social media by some fans who thought the team would be better off drafting a defensive player. Washington did just that with its second-round pick, but its selections beyond that seemed to prioritize the best player available.
With a surprise NFC Championship Game appearance this past season, the Commanders are in win-now mode and opted to take players who could immediately contribute in all three phases of the game.
Round 2, Pick 61: Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
Drafting a talent like Trey Amos in the second round is likely Washington’s best value pick of the draft, and it addresses one of its most pressing needs.
Amos was graded as a fringe first-round talent to a top-50 prospect with the size (6’1, 195 pounds) and production (three interceptions, 13 passes defended in 2025) the Commanders were looking for.
The 23-year-old also has ample experience, playing three years at Louisiana before transferring to Alabama for his senior year, then to Ole Miss for his fifth year.
Amos has the length and physicality to play press-man coverage and match up well with the bigger X receivers, such as Mike Evans and AJ Brown, who gave Washington fits last year.
As the Commanders’ roster stands right now, Amos projects to be a day-one starter at outside cornerback, moving Mike Sainristil inside to his natural position of nickelback. The selection also allows free agency addition Jonathan Jones to play in the slot primarily.
Round 4, Pick 128: Jaylin Lane (WR, Virginia Tech)
Virginia Tech’s Jaylin Lane didn’t produce gaudy receiving numbers during his time in Blacksburg (1,004 yards and eight receiving touchdowns in two seasons), but he flashed versatility that could give Washington another dimension on offense and special teams.
Lane posted 18 carries and two rushing touchdowns, as well as leading the ACC in punt return yardage and touchdowns.
The Commanders sorely lacked an explosive playmaker out of the backfield last season, with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler getting most of the touches. With excellent numbers at the combine — a 4.34 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical, among others — Lane could be a neat gadget player on offense and Washington’s starting punt returner.
Round 6, Pick 205: Kain Medrano (LB, UCLA)
Washington traded its third and fifth-round picks in its deals for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel, making these late-round fliers even more important. Linebacker Kain Medrano could be a worthwhile selection, even if only on special teams.
Medrano is on the lighter side. At 222 pounds, he’s closer to the size of a safety, but he makes up for that with speed. The UCLA product led all linebackers at the combine with a 4.46-second 40-yard dash.
In his sixth and final season, Medrano also showcased solid cover skills, recording a pair of interceptions and four passes defended. Medrano figures to be at least a special-teams piece and depth provider at linebacker initially, but if he realizes his physical potential, he could be a candidate to replace the aging Bobby Wagner.
Round 7, Pick 245: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Arizona)
The idea of the Commanders taking a running back, specifically a speedy scatback, was floated before the draft. The 245th pick is likely later than some would’ve hoped, though.
Nonetheless, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is about as intriguing a prospect as a team will find in the seventh round. After four years at Alabama State, Croskey-Merritt transferred to New Mexico and had a breakout year, rushing for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Montgomery, Alabama, native then transferred to Arizona, where eligibility issues limited him to only one game. Croskey-Merritt likely has the talent to warrant a higher draft selection, but his lack of FBS experience and being 24 years old, especially concerning for a running back, contributed to his slide.
Croskey-Merritt has good vision and speed, but seems to lack receiving upside. Given that Robinson, Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols will all be free agents after this season, Croskey-Merritt may be someone to watch.
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