ASHBURN, Virginia -- The 2025 NFL draft began Thursday (ESPN, ABC, ESPN App) in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Washington Commanders selected Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall.
Here's a look at Washington's selections:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 29 overall: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
My take: Washington continues to emphasize protecting quarterback Jayden Daniels. Conerly started for the past two years at left tackle for Oregon, earning third team All-American honors by the Associated Press. He's the fourth key addition Washington has made over the past year, after adding center Tyler Biadasz, drafting tackle Brandon Coleman in the third round in 2024 and trading for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. That group will pair with right guard Sam Cosmi to form a strong unit. It should be the best front Washington has had in more than a few years.
Will he start as a rookie? It would be a disappointment if he doesn't. He won't start at left tackle with Tunsil -- a five-time Pro Bowler -- at the position, but Conerly could start at right tackle or even move inside to guard if they determine Coleman would be better on the right. The Commanders have a need inside with Cosmi potentially missing the first part of the season while recovering from a torn ACL. Also, left guard Nick Allegretti was signed last offseason to a deal that suggested solid backup or fringe starter. Conerly will need some developing but at some point will break into the lineup.
Key stat: Over Washington's final seven games, some negative trends emerged. Daniels' sack percentage was 10.4 or higher in three of the last four regular season games; the pressure percentage was 37.5 or greater. For the season, the sack percentage was 6.9 and the pressure percentage was 32.5, so there was a considerable drop. Also, over the final seven games, Washington's running backs averaged 1.76 yards before contact, which ranked 29th during that span. The Commanders needed to improve its line and now have added Conerly in addition to Tunsil this offseason.
Round 2: No. 61 overall: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
My take: Washington needed more corner depth, particularly on the outside. The Commanders have one true outside corner in Marshon Lattimore. Their next two top corners -- Mike Sainristil and Jonathan Jones -- are best suited inside. Amos provides depth and should become a starter at some point with his ability to play press as well as zone. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, he also gives them more size at the position. Amos played at three schools -- starting off at Louisiana-Lafayette before transferring to Alabama and then Ole Miss. He ranked seventh in the nation with 13 pass breakups last year and led the team with three interceptions.
Will he start as a rookie? Washington doesn't need him to start immediately. The Commanders traded for Lattimore and signed veteran Jonathan Jones this offseason. Sainristil started 16 games as a rookie last season, eventually doing so on the outside after being drafted to play inside. Amos provides a different look outside than Sainristil and Jones, both of whom are considered best inside. That should enable him to play early, but how big a role he'll warrant will be dictated by if he outperforms the others.
Round 4, No. 128: Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
My take: Washington needed more speed on offense, giving the Commanders more downfield threats for quarterback Jayden Daniels. They added line help to give him more time to throw downfield and now they have someone else to run the ball down in Lane, pairing him with Terry McLaurin. Lane ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds. He played for three years at Middle Tennessee State, hurting defenses as a receiver, a returner and the occasional run before doing the same at Virginia Tech. He could provide immediate help as a returner with the speed to develop as a receiver, notably in the slot.
Round 6, No. 205: Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA
My take: Washington wanted more speed at linebacker and a little more versatility behind starters Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. The Commanders also have Jordan Magee and Domonique Hampton, both entering their second season. Medrano can run -- his 4.46 time in the 40 at the combine was the fastest among linebackers -- and could fill a hybrid big safety/linebacker role. Medrano played six years in college and did not become a full-time starter until the last two years. Washington needed a linebacker who can cover and that's something it hopes Medrano offers after doing so at UCLA. That would fill a major hole for the Commanders.
Round 7, No. 245 overall: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
My take: The Commanders were intent on adding another running back to pair with Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. All three are free agents after the season so they needed a young back who could factor in their future. Croskey-Merritt was ineligible for all but one game at Arizona last season due to confusion over a prior redshirt year. In his final year at New Mexico, he rushed for 1,191 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has good speed, having run a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, the fastest among running backs. He'll be intriguing in camp. Did Washington find a gem who was a mystery because he was ineligible?