2025 NFL draft: Experts hand out grades for Commanders

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The Washington Commanders wrapped up the 2025 NFL draft by selecting five players. Due to Washington's unexpected success last season, the Commanders didn't go on the clock until No. 29 overall. Washington was also down to five selections after three separate trades for Marshon Lattimore, Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil.

We graded each Washington selection. Everyone received an A or A-. Why? The Commanders found good value in their later picks and addressed specific needs with their earlier selections. The selection of offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. continues Washington's mission to improve the offensive line in front of superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels.

What did others think of the Commanders' draft? Here are the grades and/or analysis from various other outlets:

NFL.com: B​

From Chad Reuter:

Reuter loved Washington's Day 2 and Day 3 picks, but had more questions about selecting Conerly in Round 1.

Conerly was always in play as a late first-round pick, though the team passed on some defensive talent with tackles Laremy Tunsil and Brandon Coleman already on the roster. Amos was a great selection late in Round 2 as an aggressive cover corner to pair with Marshon Lattimore, for whom the team gave up its third-round pick.

Washington traded away Day 3 picks for veterans Tunsil and Lattimore. I loved keeping Lane in the DMV because of his explosiveness as an inside and outside receiver. The fluid, fast Medrano is a special teams demon and productive outside linebacker waiting to happen. I also enjoyed the Croskey-Merritt pick; you'll be seeing him running past and avoiding tacklers in the open field.

CBS Sports: A​

From Chris Trapasso:

General manager Adam Peters is rising star in the industry. Two drafts in, that's safe to say. Conerly was the pruden albeit non-sexy pick in Round 1. He can start at guard then eventually bump out to tackle, where starred at Oregon. Amos has a high floor at boundary corner -- a clear need opposite Marshon Lattimore -- and Lane is a dynamic slot receiver with 4.34 speed and wiggle post-catch. Croskey-Merritt absolutely has the size, cutting skill and effortless power to be a tremendous seventh-round find at running back.

USA Today: B-​

From Nate Davis:

It was a lighter class in part because veteran CB Marshon Lattimore came at the price of a third- and fourth-rounder at last year’s trade deadline, a transaction that has yet to bear sufficient fruit. Still, GM Adam Peters did a nice job while picking OT Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round and CB Trey Amos in the second. Fourth-round WR Jaylin Lane could capably take over for departed Dyami Brown as the deep threat.

New York Post: C+​

From Ryan Dunleavy:

Analysis: Conerly is on an upward trajectory. Wise move to protect franchise QB Jayden Daniels. Lane is fearless punt returner who can break tackles as a receiver, too. Amos is a man-to-man corner who can start early. Day 2 draft depth was traded for veterans.

Sports Illustrated: B​

From Gilberto Manzano:

The Commanders addressed a few glaring needs with their first two picks. Conerly was the fourth offensive tackle selected, but he was considered by most draft experts to be a first-round talent. Suddenly, Washington has depth and talent in the trenches after making it work last season with quarterback Jayden Daniels often playing away from the pocket. Things didn’t exactly work out with Marshon Lattimore after the midseason trade, but he’ll now have more help with the arrival of Amos, who had a whopping 16 passes defensed last year.

Yahoo Sports: B+​

From Nate Tice, Charles McDonald:

Here's why: Washington didn’t have much draft capital, but it found two potential long-term starters with its first two picks in offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. and cornerback Trey Amos. Both have high upside at positions of need, and they created some necessary depth that will help them sustain their success from a season ago.

Most interesting pick: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

The Commanders decided that they needed to revamp their offensive tackles this offseason and did just that with the trade for Laremy Tunsil and drafting Conerly. It’s a good plan for a team with a young quarterback who takes a lot of hits, and it should provide a boost in the run game. Conerly could eventually be Washington's long-term left tackle as well.

ESPN: B+​

From Mel Kiper:

Instead, they might have gotten rookie starters with both of their top picks. I liked the selection of Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 -- he played left tackle at Oregon, but I see his immediate future at guard or right tackle. He has the traits to play on the left side, though Tunsil will have that spot locked down for a few years. I thought Washington might go with a corner there, but GM Adam Peters was able to get Trey Amos with his lone Day 2 pick, nearly 20 spots lower than where he was in my rankings (No. 43). Amos will fill a big hole for this defense.

Jaylin Lane is an intriguing Day 3 wideout. At 5-foot-10, he looks like a running back -- and he took some snaps from the backfield in college. If Kliff Kingsbury can figure out how to get the ball in his hands, he has some juice after the catch. He's also the best punt returner in this class.

I liked what Peters did with his first three selections, but this is not quite an A because it's a small class and because he didn't address the hole at edge. Still, this is a team that should again challenge for the NFC East crown.

Pro Football Focus: B+​

From PFF:

A two-year starter for Oregon at left tackle, Conerly allowed just two sacks the past two years. He graded above the 75th percentile in all grading facets, including a 78.1 true pass set pass-blocking grade in 2024. Conerly shows good athleticism for the position, displaying quick and explosive feet. He doesn’t need to immediately start after the Commanders traded for Laremy Tunsil this offseason, but he could slide into guard and be very effective.

Amos brings elite speed and strong movement skills to the Commanders’ defense. He earned an 85.6 coverage grade in 2024, forcing 13 incompletions and recording three interceptions. A standout at the Senior Bowl, Amos showcases good instincts in zone coverage and has the size and athleticism to lock down opposing receivers in man coverage.

Associated Press: B+​

From Rob Maaddi:

OT Josh Conerly Jr. (29) upgrades the Jayden Daniels’ protection. CB Trey Amos (61) could be an immediate starter. WR Jaylin Lane (128) and LB Kain Medrano (205) are high value picks. RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (245) has sleep potential.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Experts grade the Commanders' draft

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