The 2023 NFL draft is here — almost. And on Tuesday night, ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters, those who cover each of the league’s 32 teams, held their annual mock draft.
While Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay’s mock drafts may dominate the headlines, no one knows the 32 teams better than those who cover them daily.
And with the No. 1 overall pick, David Newton, who covers the Carolina Panthers, selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. This was despite the latest odds that shifted toward Kentucky quarterback Will Levis.
Quarterbacks go in three of the first four picks, and Levis doesn’t go until No. 19 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What about the Washington Commanders?
John Keim, who has covered the Commanders for years, picked Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright.
There’s a good chance Washington will aggressively look to trade back, knowing there are other linemen and players the Commanders like still on the board. However, with Wright, they land a player who is considered physically gifted and has what the Commanders love: position flexibility. They could insert him at left guard or they could put him at right tackle, where he shined this past season. In the latter scenario they would move free agent signee Andrew Wylie from right tackle to one of the guard spots along with Sam Cosmi to form a strong front.
If Washington can’t trade back, Wright is the ideal pick at No. 16. He brings a talented, young player to a group that desperately needs it and is an immediate starter. The bonus is allowing him to start at right tackle and moving Wylie inside to right guard, and shifting Cosmi to left guard. Washington’s offensive line would look a lot different in 2023.