The 2025 NFL Draft was on April 2025, and the Washington Commanders had 5 draft picks this year, here’s what they did.
The Commanders selected Josh Connerly Jr. with their 1st round pick. Connerly is a Offensive tackle who played for the Oregon Ducks prior to being drafted. He only allowed 2 sacks his entire collegiate career. He allowed no sacks his Junior year however, he allowed 5 quarterback pressures. He was on the 1st team all American team in 2024 and was awarded All Big 10 Honors, He also won the Anthony Munoz award in 2021, which is an award for the best graduating high schooler who plays on the offensive line. Connerly will have the opportunity to develop under 5 time pro bowler Laremy Tunsil.
The Commanders selected Trey Amos with their second round pick. The former Ole Miss cornerback started his career at Louisiana where he recorded 59 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 14 pass break ups, and one forced fumble. He transferred to Alabama for his senior season, where he broke up 5 passes, and contributed a tackle for loss. He was limited in production because of the depth chart which consisted of Kool aid Mckinstry and Terrion Arnold who both became high draft picks that year. Amos used his extra year of eligibility to stay in college and play for Ole Miss, where he had the best season of his career. He recorded 50 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 13 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions. He even broke an Ole Miss record for most pass break ups in a single season.
The Commanders used their third round pick to trade for Marshon Lattimore earlier in the season. However, in the fourth round the Commanders used their pick to draft Jaylon Lane. He is a receiver out of Virginia Tech who possesses similar qualities as Deebo Samuel who Washington traded for. These are qualities such as elite speed and can gain YAC (yards after catch). The Commanders assistant General Manager Lance Newmark told reporters how they liked his “cool personality” and “ unique instinct with the ball in his hands”. Lane has won multiple awards for his ability to return punt and kick offs.
The Commanders used their 6th round pick to select Kain Medrano. He is a Linebacker out of UCLA, who had a few impactful plays during his collegiate career such as 3.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and even had a touchdown. Washington’s linebacker coach, Ken Norton Jr., used to coach Medrano when he was the Linebackers Coach at UCLA.
The Commanders final pick came in the seventh round when they selected Jacory Croskey-Merrit, a running back out of Arizona. He was only allowed to play one game in 2024 due to eligibility issues. In that one game he had 106 rushing yards, averaging 8.2 yards per carry and 1 touchdown. Merrit spent 6 years at the collegiate level before deciding to declare for the NFL draft but DeMatha students like Josiah Jordan think that he possesses the “home run” speed needed in Washington’s backfield necessary to take them to the next level.
Overall the Commanders filled some positions of need in this draft and hope to continue their success this year after falling short in the NFC championship last year.
