Washington Commanders NFL draft picks 2022: Analysis for every selection
ASHBURN, Va. — The 2022 NFL draft is being held Thursday through Saturday and every Washington Commanders draft pick will be analyzed here.
The draft will be held in Las Vegas on the strip in the area adjacent to Caesars Forum two years after it was initially scheduled. The 2020 NFL draft was turned into a virtual event because of COVID-19.
Here’s a pick-by-pick look at how each player Washington has selected will fit.
My take: All offseason Washington coach Ron Rivera said the Commanders had to do two things for quarterback Carson Wentz — protect him and add weapons. They added a weapon with receiver Dotson, a smaller but explosive playmaker. Washington wanted to diversify its offense and can now use sets with four receivers who can threaten a defense with Dotson, Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. They would win some 4X100 relay races. There’s versatility in that group, too. Washington has had a boring, and largely ineffective offense for the past four years, in part because it lacked strong quarterback play and enough weapons. They now have a better quarterback in Wentz and have added a possible playmaker with really good hands. Dotson said he wasn’t sure if he’d go in the first round. He also said he considered leaving Penn State after the 2020 season, but would have been a third- or fourth-round pick. Dotson said he focused more on his hands, resulting in no drops.
Trading back: Washington moved back five spots, adding picks in the third and fourth rounds. But in doing so, the Commanders passed on a receiver they really liked — Chris Olave. Their primary receiver target, Drake London, was gone at No. 8 to Atlanta. But they always grouped Dotson in when discussing the receivers they could take in the first round. So, because they knew they could get him later, they were willing to let New Orleans take Olave. Washington now has more ammo in the middle rounds in a draft where the best value is considered to be in Rounds 2-4.
Receiver questions: While Washington added another playmaker, it still has questions at receiver. Dotson’s size (5-foot-11, 178 pounds) and strength will be questioned until he proves it’s not an issue. Samuel is coming off an injury-filled season and contributed little. Brown caught just eight passes as a rookie, though he finished strong. The coaches are high on Samuel, having coached him in Carolina. But he has to stay healthy. McLaurin’s only question involves if, or when, they will be able to extend his contract. Also: The Commanders still need to find a consistent big target — could Cam Sims, at 6-foot-5, finally be that guy? He’s their lone big weapon, something Wentz could use.
What’s next: The Commanders now have one pick in the second round (47) and another in the third (98). Washington wants to find someone to fill its Buffalo nickel role on defense — last season Landon Collins was the hybrid safety/linebacker in that spot. The Commanders could draft a safety who could fill that role or a linebacker like Troy Andersen from Montana State. They also like several offensive linemen in these rounds that they could perhaps use at right guard. Another possibility is running back. Kenneth Walker III from Michigan State would be a possibility.