Commanders' 2023 NFL Draft class looks even worse three years later

[ASFN Admin]

Before Adam Peters arrived as general manager of the Washington Commanders in 2024, the franchise was coming off four consecutive years of questionable drafts. It was made even worse during the 2024 season, when Peters traded 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson in training camp, released 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis and 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes during the season.

Despite not having one first-round pick on their roster from 2020-23, the Commanders went 12-5 and shockingly advanced to their first NFC Championship Game in 33 years. However, the lack of high-end talent from those drafts reared its ugly head last season, when injuries, age, and a lack of depth led Washington to finish with a 5-12 record.

In reviewing each of the Commanders' four drafts from 2020-23 under the then-head coach/GM Ron Rivera, it's the 2023 class that hurts the most.

CBS Sports recently reviewed every team's 2023 NFL Draft class, regrading all 32 NFL teams after three years. CBS, which gave the Commanders a B+ in 2023, now gives them an F.

The skinny: They had seven picks in the draft and only one has a real chance to be a starter this year. That's second-round safety Quan Martin,who has 37 starts but even he has been just OK. First-round corner Emmanuel Forbes flopped and was let go in November 2024. He's now with the Rams and started some last season. The only other hit was on running back Chris Rodriguez in the sixth and he signed as a free agent in Jacksonville in March.

How I did: I was as bad as the Commanders. I actually liked this draft. Why? I thought Forbes, despite being skinny, would become a quality cover player. Oops. I did like Martin. Fifth-round pass rusher K.J. Henry was another player I liked, but he didn't work out. They were bad and so was I.

New grade: F

An F is the only choice here. While no one gave Washington an F in 2023, there were questions when the Commanders chose Forbes over Christian Gonzalez.

Let's quickly review Washington's 2023 draft class:

• Round 1 (No. 16): Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
• Round 2 (No. 47): Jartavius "Quan" Martin, DB, Illinois
• Round 3 (No. 97): Ricky Stromberg, OL, Arkansas
• Round 4 (No. 118): Braeden Daniels, OL, Utah
• Round 5 (No. 137): K.J. Henry, DE, Clemson
• Round 6 (No. 193): Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Kentucky
• Round 7 (No. 233): Andre Jones Jr., DE, Louisiana

We don't need to review every pick, but the only player still with Washington is Martin. You could make the case that Rodriguez has been the best player in this class thus far, and the Commanders allowed him to depart in free agency. Speaking of Martin, Washington fans will not forget how badly he regressed in 2025. He looked like a building block in 2024, with former defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. saying he could be one of the NFL's best safeties. His falloff last season was concerning.

Fortunately for Martin, new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones seems high on him. A longtime secondary coach, Jones spoke highly of Martin after accepting the job, and it appears Martin will get a much-needed fresh start in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 2023 NFL Draft class is historically bad

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