Category: Latest Washington News

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. names Commanders as one of NFL draft’s Day 2 winners

Kiper was impressed with the Commanders’ Day 2 haul.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. loved the Washington Commanders’ selection of LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

On Saturday, the Commanders entered the second round of the draft with five selections — two in the second round and three in the third round. At No. 36, Washington selected Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton, who many believed should have gone in the first round.

While the Commanders have two standout defensive tackles in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, Newton adds another stud to the mix.

Instead of using the No. 40 pick, Washington traded it to the Eagles for a pair of second-round picks and a fifth-round pick in exchange for No. 40 and No. 78. Instead of two second-rounders and three third-rounders, the Commanders now had three second-round selections and two third-round picks.

The Commanders used those picks to select cornerback Mike Sainristil and tight end Ben Sinnott.

So, what did Kiper think of Washington’s Saturday haul? He named the Commanders as one of his Day 2 winners.

I mentioned the Commanders’ trade with the Eagles above, and Washington ended up with three second-round picks. New GM Adam Peters landed a game-wrecker for the middle of his defense. He got the best slot corner in this class. And he got my second-ranked tight end, a player who could make plays in the pass game and block his butt off in the run game. This is a home run Round 2 class for the Commanders, who entered this draft with a lot of holes.

To finish out Round 3, Washington took wideout Luke McCaffrey, which was a reach based on my rankings. Still, Christian’s brother has the physical traits to be an intriguing flier.

All five of Washington’s Day 2 selections could help the Commanders next season, which is almost uncommon in recent years.

Who are the Commanders getting in Luke McCaffrey?

What are the Commanders getting in Luke McCaffrey?

With the final draft pick of Friday night’s round three, the Washington Commanders selected Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey at No. 100 overall.

If you read that name and are wondering, yes, Luke is the younger brother of San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey. By the way, both are sons of former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey.

Luke certainly knows what it takes to make it in the NFL. He has seen his older brother push himself to such limits that he is able to play in the NFL.

McCaffrey stands 6-foot-2 and is 23 years of age. While playing his high school football in Colorado, Luke played receiver for his first two years, while his older brother Dylan played quarterback.

A four-star recruit, Luke committed to and signed with Nebraska. Determining to depart after two seasons with the Cornhuskers, he committed to Louisville. After being at Louisville for a brief period, he departed for Houston to attend Rice.

In his last two seasons with Rice, McCaffrey caught 58 and 68 passes, averaging 12.5 and 14.2 yards per reception, including six and 12 touchdown receptions, respectively.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, McCaffrey ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and recorded a 36-inch vertical leap.

Who did the Commanders get in Ben Sinnott?

The Commanders got themselves a tight end.

With the 53rd overall selection, the Washington Commanders selected Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott.

Who is Ben Sinnott?

Watching his highlight film of catching and running with the football, he looks similar to former Washington tight end Chris Cooley, which will make avid Commanders fans eager with anticipation.

His tape also reveals he is an aggressive and physical blocker who likes physical contact in opening the way for running backs into the defensive secondary.

At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Sinnott will bring a physical dimension to the tight end room that general manager Adam Peters will welcome to the Commanders offense.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Sinnott ran a 4.68 40, and at 250 pounds, unveiled an explosiveness with his 40-inch vertical jump.

In his final season, the Kansas State Wildcat was a third-team Associated Press All-American. He was voted First-team All-Big 12 Conference (listed at fullback because of his blocking ability). Sinnott led the team with 676 receiving yards (49 receptions, 13.8 YPR), six receiving TDs. He started 12 games.

Who did the Commanders get in Brandon Coleman?

Will Coleman play tackle or guard in the NFL?

Brandon Coleman, 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, was the Commanders first selection in round three, 67th overall.

He was listed as a guard on the NFL Network coverage, which I was watching at the time of the selection.

Coleman started 34 of his 41 career games at Texas Christian University, so he has played both inside and outside.

He played both guard and tackle at TCU. On the television broadcast, Coleman was announced as a tackle, though he did not play tackle exclusively in college. Perhaps the Commanders listed him as a tackle, revealing their intention to move Coleman back outside in the NFL.

The Commanders are weak and thin at tackle. They could not trade back into the first round to obtain a tackle. In addition, they have had the opportunity to draft tackles in the second and third rounds, but apparently, general manager Adam Peters has not felt the tackles available were of the value that the Commanders were selecting.

This is not a criticism of Peters at all. We admire his willingness to select good players and not simply reach unwisely to meet a need.

This selection might also have revealed that Peters wanted to get a tackle all night and simply didn’t feel he could wait any longer.

Commanders select TCU OL Brandon Coleman in the 3rd round of the NFL draft

The Commanders select TCU OL Brandon Coleman with the 67th overall pick.

With the No. 67 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Washington Commanders selected TCU offensive lineman Brandon Coleman. Washington had a massive need at offensive tackle and Coleman was a three-year starter for the Horned Frogs.

Coleman’s NFL future could be inside at guard, though. The 6-foot-4 1/2″, 313-pounder started 34 total games with TCU, 22 of which were at left tackle. Coleman’s other 12 starts came at guard.

Washington hosted Coleman recently on a top 30 visit.

At the NFL combine, Coleman’s arms measured 34 5/8″, which is above the threshold for playing offensive tackle.

Here is NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on Coleman:

Three-year starter and team captain in 2023 with outstanding length and the potential to offer roster flexibility. Coleman will be scouted and drafted as a guard but might be able to handle a move to tackle in an emergency. He’s broad and fits up blocks with pretty good accuracy when his hands are right, but he’s never going to be a lane clearer in the run game. Coleman’s experience at tackle helps his chances of protecting NFL quarterbacks as a guard. He pass protects with efficient hands and sound technique, but his reactive athleticism is very average, which could be trouble against sub-package rushers.

 

Who are the Commanders getting in Mike Sainristil

What are the Commanders getting in Mike Sainristil?

Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil was the Commanders’ selection at No. 50 overall Friday night.

Although he is not long, standing only 5-foot-9, Sainristil is built and plays strong at 182 pounds.

The Commanders’ third choice in this draft was named 2nd team All-Big 10, leading the Wolverines’ defense with six interceptions in 2023

Peters, with this selection, obtained the best defender on the nation’s best defensive team, which won the national championship, led by its defense.

Also quite noteworthy is the new Commanders defensive back has only two seasons of playing on the defensive side of the ball. Sainristil actually played his first two seasons at Michigan as a receiver. Therefore, there is still plenty of upside in learning how to play defense.

He accumulated 108 tackles on defense for Michigan, so look for the Commanders to play him on the inside as a slot corner. He is an aggressive tackler, the leading tackler among Michigan defensive backs.

 

Commanders select Michigan CB Mike Sainristil at No. 50 overall

The Commanders select Mike Sainristil at No. 50 overall.

The Washington Commanders selected Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil at No. 50 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Washington was selecting at No. 50 after an earlier trade down with the Eagles that gave the Commanders No. 50, 53 and 161.

Sainristil started parts of four seasons at Michigan and began his college career as a wide receiver. While considered undersized (5-foot-9, 182), He is tough and physical and is still adjusting to playing cornerback, which insists his best football is ahead of him.

Sainristil moved to cornerback for the Wolverines and excelled. He was one of Michigan’s key starters on the 2023 national championship team.

Here is NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report on Sainristil:

Reliable and tough with the athleticism and upside to keep getting better as a nickel corner. Sainristil is a former receiver who plays with surprising field awareness and attention to detail as a zone defender. He has the twitch and footwork to stay connected with routes in man coverage but needs more experience at the position to operate with better recognition and feel for the routes. He showed off top-notch ball skills with six interceptions (two for scores) in 2023 and has no problem stepping up and doing his part as a run defender. Sainristil isn’t there yet but should keep improving and has a chance to become a starting nickel in time.

 

Who did the Commanders get in Jer’Zhan Newton?

What are the Commanders getting in Newton?

Jer’Zhan Newton was the name announced by the Hall of Fame former Redskins cornerback Darrell Green as the 36th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Who is Newton?

Well, first of all, I was surprised the big defensive tackle who played at the University of Illinois was not selected in the first round Thursday night.

You see, Newton was listed by most analysts as one of the top 30 players in this draft.

The Commanders already have Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. So why did Adam Peters select Newton? Perhaps it’s because Peters honestly felt he was the best player available. Newton is 6-foot-3, 304 pounds, and stood out during Illinois games this past season.

The Commanders desperately need an offensive tackle, but with the run on tackles last night in round one, it was expected they would not reach at No. 36 for an offensive tackle. Unlike the prior administration, this group led by Peters chose a good player they were most likely surprised was still available.

Preferring “Johnny,” Newton was an All-American during the 2023 season. For his stellar play, Newton was awarded the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and also the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year award. He was also First-Team All-Big Ten in both of his last two seasons for Illinois (2022, 2023).

Peters took Newton to get the best player despite the fact that he already possesses two fine defensive tackles. He is, after all, attempting to build the best roster possible, not reach and fill a position.

There is a huge difference.

Newton was born in St Petersburg, Florida and played his high school ball at Clearwater Central Catholic.

Commanders trade No. 40 overall pick to the Eagles

The Commanders now have three second-round picks and two third-round selections.

The Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles have struck a deal. As Washington went on the clock to make the No. 40 overall pick, there was a trade.

The Eagles used the pick to select Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean, a projected first-round pick.

What were the details of the trade?

Washington received the No. 50, No. 53 and No. 161 overall selections in this draft, while the Eagles got back the No. 40 pick and No. 78 overall.

The Commanders used their first second-round pick (No. 36 overall) on Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton. Newton joins Pro Bowl players Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne as Washington’s third outstanding defensive tackle.

 

Commanders select Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton at No. 36 overall

The Commanders select the Big Ten defensive player of the year.

The Washington Commanders selected Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

The 6-foot-2, 304-pound Newton was a three-year starter for the Fighting Illini, twice earning first-team All-Big Ten conference and was also a two-time All-American.

Newton is a bit of a surprising pick, considering Washington’s defensive tackle depth. The Commanders have Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne under contract. Washington also has third-year defensive tackles John Ridgeway and Phidarian Mathis. Mathis was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Newton was considered by some to be the top defensive tackle in the draft but is dealing with a foot injury.

Here is Newton’s scouting report from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

Active interior defender with the potential to build on his disruptive production in college. Newton’s size and length don’t stand out, but he has shown a consistent ability to gain extension and set edges against bigger opponents. Newton is clever in setting up blockers and then beating them with sudden hand usage and foot quickness as both a run defender and a pass rusher. He’s strong enough to hold the point, but he’s not going to overwhelm NFL guards with force or power. His skill level and athleticism should create additional playmaking opportunities for him as a three-down 3-technique with early starting potential.