Photo: Washington Commanders
While the Commanders finished off a disappointing season with a convincing 26-6 win over Dallas, they ended up with an 8-8-1 record in the NFC East, recording their best season finish since 2016, though missing the postseason for the second straight year. It has been more than 15 years since Washington won a playoff game (Jan. 7, 2006). Washington officially receives the 16th pick overall in the 2023 NFL Entry Draft that is scheduled to be held in the plaza outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27–29, 2023. For history-sake under the ownership of Dan Snyder, the Commanders only have two playoff victories in his 20-year plus tenure. A total of 8 visits to the postseason since 1999 when he purchased the team.
Washington hasn't had much luck in the past with the 16th overall pick in the NFL Draft, Washington's previous selections with the 16th overall pick include Nello Falaschi (1937), Tommy Thompson (1948), Dick Modzelewski (1953), Mike Sommer (1958) and arguably the most successful has been Ryan Kerrigan (2011).
Commanders Needs:
Coach Ron Rivera is already making changes even though there will quite likely be an ownership change, it was business as usual for Rivera with changes to his staff, letting go Offensive Coordinator Scott Turner. Regardless of who the new offensive coordinator winds up being in Washington, the team already knows it needs to bolster its line. Most 'early' Mock Drafts have Washington choosing an Offensive Lineman, which is sorely needed to protect Sam Howell or any other QB that might be joining the Commanders staff this upcoming season. Here are the top OL ranked for the upcoming 2023 NFL Entry Draft:
Ranking the top 10 offensive tackle prospects
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern (Junior | 6-4, 315)
Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State (Junior | 6-6, 310) ...
Anton Harrison, Oklahoma (Junior | 6-5, 315) ...
Broderick Jones, Georgia (RS Sophomore | 6-4, 310) ...
Cody Mauch, North Dakota State (6th-Year Senior | 6-6, 303)
How Many Draft Picks Do the Commanders Have in 2023?
The Commanders own six of their original picks in the 2023 NFL Entry Draft, "Insiders" project that the Commanders will earn two compensatory selections (third-rounder and sixth-rounder). The one original pick they lost? It’s a third-round pick that Washington used as part of the trade package for QB Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts.
Washington Commanders Draft Picks by Round in 2023
Round 1, Pick 16 overall
Round 2, Pick 47 overall
Round 4, Pick 115 overall
Round 5, Pick 147 overall
Round 6, Pick 179 overall
Round 7, Pick 211 overall
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