Combine Analysis | Episode 87

go for an offensive lineman there? Yeah, I mean I think of one of those two guys, Peter Scronski or Paris Johnson fall to them at sixteen. I think they sprint that pickup as best as they can. Think those are excellent football players. I think those two are the best alignement in the class. I don't think they're going to be available, so if no one's there, possibly trade back. I think that second tier group has some really outstanding

football players and it gets you excited. We know they talk a lot about position flex and we've seen over the last few seasons. Most certainly players have to be able to move all around on that offensive line. So are you looking at a guard, a tackle or really they even had four different centers that they had to go through last year as well, which is not ideal. Yeah, it's not ideal, And I'm glad you brought up center because i think this draft is kind of very center dense,

specifically in the second round. Tipman from Wisconsin, Smitch from Minnesota, Whippler from Ohio State are excellent football players then could all come in and start right now. All the different styles, but all very good football players. So if you look at the NFC East, there's a lot of receivers Washington has to go up and defend against, and we've already had to go drawn rovera before. So you have to look at what's going to be your main competition and

make sure you can counteract against that. Defensive back secondary is certainly a position Washington would like to add extra depth that names that stood out too, Yeah, I mean I think they all did. I mean, I know that's kind of a generic thing with that whole group tested really well. Obviously, Christian Gonzalez is the guy that stole the show. And then you kind of go down the list, you say, Joey Porter Junior did an excellent job for a man of his size, Sam Smith from Carolina Forbes

from Mississippi State. Gotta throw that in for Fred Smooth, Like, they all just tested really well and you're going to get a good value player. Kind of in the first two rounds. I think there's probably twelve guys that you feel really confident with, given that we know the receivers they do have to go up against on a week in week out basis, certain skill sets you look for.

Deciding absolutely, I think there's a ton of really big, tall, physical guys in this draft, and I think that would be perfect for this team and the receivers they have to match up against. Now, the Commanders had success last season when they moved back to get John Dotson at sixteen overall and point what a performance he had in his rookie year, leading the team in touchdowns with seven as well. Just an outstanding rookie season. Oh standing performance,

and quite frankly outstanding draft process. I mean they were up there and like kind of the middle rounds, they traded back, they got an excellent football player, they added value later in the draft. So not only did the get a good football player, but a good draft process.

And I can't wait to see what a full year looks like for him because obviously had negotiated with that Hampshire injury, but really looking forard to watching the suff it really kind of showed a maturity beyond his years and what you can do when you put him on the field. Along with Terry McLaurin. Of course under Eric b Enemy, we're excited to see what that offense looks

like as well. Now, skill position is not an area that's a glaring need, but should they potentially go and say, you know what, maybe there's a player that's just too good to pass up on when they're selecting to pick a name that would would fit that. Yeah, I mean obviously depends on when they're picking obviously, but a guy that really stuck out to me is at Perry from

Wake Forest. He did an excellent job. He's a bigger body guy six four, two hundred twenty pounds, just caught the football in such a natural, easy way and that's unusual for a man in his side. So not going to be in those first three rounds probably, but a guy maybe later you say, oh, I can't believe he's still here. Let's grab that pick. And of course quarterback is in this group as well. Now we have Sam Howell by all means he gets that chance to be

the starter. But could they make a move here. I think they could. I mean if there's someone that they really really like that they just have such a high evaluation on. I think you make that pick because you know you're not you're not married to Sam Howe. If you think someone's a generational talent, you definitely have to go with him. So when it comes to key traits that you're looking for that will be allowed these prospects to be winning on draft day, and especially for Washington.

You just went over a whole bunch of guys that we could kind of get excited for. But who stands out the most that you think is most likely a selection? Yeah? So I think the guy that sticks out of that group is Anton Harrison. He's the guy, the tackle from Oklahoma. He's got really great athletic upside. He's an excellent pass

pector got to grow up as a run blocker. But I think when you look at him, you say, man, he could be that kind of elite pass protecting offensive lineman, and as we know, this team struggle in that area last year. I think he brings a lot of value. Good big bodies. We all six fourth, fifteen pounds. We I always say, you kind of want those guys to be big and beefy up front to protect. Would they be ready to go right away? I think he's a

guy that needs a little bit development. But again he's in that same group as you know Darnell Wright, Dwan Jones, those kind of big offensive linemen. You say, but he's got the best pass protection upside. So I think that's what you bet on with those a linemen. With over a month until the NFL Draft, Logan shared his combine standouts Jess finishing up with the combine here in Indianapolis. There were so many fantastic moments, so many wonderful athletes.

I'm gonna give you five guys that I think they can help the Commanders out. One of my favorite players in this draft is Sidney Brown. He is a jacked up, rocked up dude. He's five ten, two hundred and fifteen pounds. He looks like a buff Bob Sanders. He plays like a buff Bob Sanders. He's got knocked back when he hits you. He hits tackles, he hits cards, He plays a linebacker, he plays safe, he plays in the post, he does it all. He's a heck of a football player.

And he came to the combines and the explosive measurements backed it up. Not only that, but the leadership stuffs there too. At the podium, he looked like he was running for president at the Senior Bowl. Outstanding leadership. You could hear him talking and communicating all over the field. He's a heck of a football player. Would fill that Buffalo Nick role out nicely for this team. He's just going to be gone when the Commanders want to pick him.

Anton Harrison was that man today. You know, his film is outstanding. He's an excellent pass protector, a little bit has difficulty with its kind of stoutness in the run game, but he ran an excellent forty. The Phil Droll showed his athleticism. Really like what I saw from today. It's a guy that I think is slowly moving into that first round. Still I think a little bit too high for Washington pick him at sixteen, But if they were to trade back or if something happens, I think that

would be excellent spot for him. Really nice value at a guy they could play left and right tackle. Yeah, yeah, dieb. He did an excellent job of the combat today. You know, when I watched this film, I was a little bit disappointed, kind of lackluster playing that four eye over the tackle,

not a great playmaking position. He wondered about his up gale athleticism, and he came out and said, I'm a tremendous athlete four or five six and the forty yard dash, all of the drill workd he looked powerful, physical smack in the bags, turning the corner, bend in the shoulder. I think he helped himself tremendously. And a guy that I think adds tremendous inside outside pass rush value, especially as a power rusher, and a guy that'll be available

in that third, fourth, fifth round, I believe. So keep an eye out for Yah yeah Diabee a name that you should know if you don't know already, as Christian Gonzalez, the seventh fastest forty four dB ever four three eight forty one inch vertical, eleven one broad jump. All of those are outstanding numbers, and the tape backs up. He's never had a phase with receivers, and not to mention he's six two he's two hundred and five pounds. He is the freak of freaks at the defensive back position.

The drill work looked excellent, the film looks excellent. He should be a top ten pick. But if he slides to Washington, run that card up there as fast as you can, you're gonna get a heck of a football player. Keith Mitchell from East Carolina University. He did an excellent

job today. Everyone knew he was explosive, and with an explosive kind of undersized running back, you need to come out and run fast, and he ran exceptionally or fast four three eight and forty yard dash, the highest GPS speed values of any running back in college football last year, and it showed up. He caught the football well, good

mover in the short area. I think, because this running back class is so deep, here's an explosive player that Washington could target in the later rounds and still have tremendous value. Keep an eye out for him. With so many exciting prospects, I can't wait to see what the Commanders are going to do in this draft and finish the puzzle for this roster. For all your news and analysis, be sure to Tune into Command Center weeknights at five

and ten pm on NBC Sports Washington. You can also stream on YouTube and commanders dot com.