WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Round 1 (No. 16 overall, from Colts through Eagles and Saints) – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State: The 5-11, 178pounder with 4.4 speed and supple hands is either a great complement to established WR Terry McLaurin ... or his eventual replacement as WR1 in D.C. Dotson, who should significantly expand the field for QB Carson Wentz, can also add pop as a returner.
Round 2 (47, from Colts) – Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama: A team captain for the Tide who can two-gap and shut down run lanes. The 6-4, 310-pounder also showed he could get to quarterbacks in 2021, erupting for nine sacks. He joins former ’Bama stars Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on the Commanders D-line.
Round 3 (98, compensatory, from Saints) – Brian Robinson, Jr., RB, Alabama: He ran for 1,343 yards and 14 TDs last year but also mixed in 35 catches. A load at 6-2, 225 pounds (with 4.53 speed), he could cut into Antonio Gibson’s touch tally in 2022.
Round 4 (113) – Percy Butler, S, Louisiana
Round 5 (144, from Jaguars through Panthers) – Sam Howell, QB, North
Carolina
Round 5 (149, from Panthers) – Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
Round 7 (230) – Chris Paul, OG, Tulsa
Round 7 (240, from Eagles through Colts) – Christian Holmes, CB, Oklahoma State
Grade: B+
Their first draft as the rechristened Commanders didn’t start out well given that panicky trade for QB Carson Wentz cost them their third-rounder and probably a future second. But they recovered, recouping some capital before spending that first selection on Dotson, who should be quite a help to Wentz and maybe the special teams. Washington also got its annual complement of Alabama studs ( Mathis, Robinson). But Howell could be the story. He was taken late enough that he shouldn’t pose an immediate threat to Wentz, yet Howell might also provide Day 3 Kirk Cousins-level returns down the road if circumstances force him into the lineup.