Tag: Commanders 2022 NFL Draft

What players has Washington drafted at No. 16?

Washington has only drafted No. 16 overall twice in franchise history. Both players were a result of trading down, and each one remains in the organization.

Thursday, April 27, the Washington Commanders are scheduled to select at the No. 16 position in the NFL Draft.

In the Super Bowl era (1966-2022 seasons), Washington has surprisingly only drafted in the No. 16 position twice.

It is much too early to be definitive, so one shouldn’t make any broad pronouncements about last year’s first-round No. 16 selection, Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson.

The first player Washington took at No. 16 in the Super Bowl era is still with Washington as well. Although, he is now assistant defensive line coach Ryan Kerrigan.

Kerrigan was drafted at the No. 16 spot in the 2011 NFL Draft, an edge rusher out of Purdue. Kerrigan was a great player for Washington, accumulating a very impressive 95.5 quarterback sacks.

In his ten seasons with the Burgundy and Gold, Kerrigan also impressively intercepted three passes, returning all three for touchdowns. A bruising, physical player, Kerrigan remained healthy and dependable, playing in all 16 games for his first eight seasons.

Kerrigan finished his career with 149 QB hits and 120 tackles for a loss, including 18 in 2016, which was good enough to lead the NFL.

Dotson caught two touchdown passes in his first career game, including the game-winner against the Jaguars. He followed up with another touchdown reception in Week 2 vs Detroit. He was off to a magnificent start; however, injuries forced Dotson to miss five games and be limited in a couple of others. He concluded the season with 35 receptions for 523 yards (14.9 YPR) and 7 touchdown receptions.

Dotson displayed enough ability that the organization has voiced their encouraged hope for his future development for the Commanders, believing he was indeed a good selection at No. 16 in 2022.

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Commanders set to again draft at No. 16 and No. 47

For the second consecutive draft, the Commanders hold the 16th and 47th overall picks.

Did anything jump to your attention when looking at the Commanders’ selection positions in the upcoming 2023 NFL draft?

This year’s NFL draft, scheduled for Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29, has the Commanders (at the present time) scheduled to draft in nearly the identical positions in the first three rounds as last year’s 2022 draft.

This year the Commanders are scheduled to draft at No. 16, No. 47 and No. 97 in their first three rounds of picks. Some Commanders fans may recognize that last year’s draft saw the Commanders select in the No. 16, No. 47 and No. 98 positions in the first three rounds.

The Commanders had entered the 2022 draft actually sitting in the No. 11 position before trading down with the New Orleans Saints. The Saints received the No. 11 selection and chose Ohio State receiver Chris Olave.

In return, Washington received the No. 16 position, No. 98 and No. 120 selections, choosing  Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson and Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr.

During the fourth round, Washington traded that 120th selection and the 189th selection to the Carolina Panthers. In return, the Commanders received selections No. 144 and No. 149. They used those two selections to choose quarterback Sam Howell and tight end Cole Turner.

The Commanders will also be selecting No. 47 this year. Last year they used the No. 47 selection to grab Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.

Incidentally, Turner, chosen at No. 149, also exactly matches this year again, as the Commanders hold the No. 150 position.

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Watch some of Jahan Dotson’s best plays in 2022

Jahan Dotson had some highlight-reel plays as a rookie. What was your favorite?

Trading back from No. 11 to No. 16 the Commanders surprised many in drafting Penn State rookie wide receiver Jahan Dotson in the 2022 NFL Draft.

There was much criticism that the Commanders had reached on Dotson, many believing he could have been drafted later in the round, some even suggested his value was as late as early in the second round.

However, in training camp Logan Paulsen had already seen enough that he declared Dotson already the best route runner of the receivers group.

Dotson exploded out of the starting blocks when on opening day, he caught two touchdown passes in his first NFL game, including the game-winner against the Jaguars.

The second week saw Dotson collect another touchdown pass in Detroit. After two games, the rookie already had achieved three touchdown receptions.

Against the Cowboys in Dallas, Dotson caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season in only five games. However, he pulled a muscle and would miss five games, which really hurt the passing offense.

Upon his return, he struggled, only collecting two receptions in his first three games back for a mere 27 yards against the Eagles, Texans and Falcons.

Dotson however, finished his rookie campaign strongly. Against the Giants in New York there were five receptions (one touchdown). At home against the Giants he collected four more receptions including a touchdown. Six receptions (one touchdown) came against the 49ers. Three Dotson receptions came in both final home games against the Browns and Cowboys.

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Instant analysis: Washington selects Percy Butler in 4th round

Percy Butler can help Washington on defense and special teams immediately.

The Washington Commanders selected Percy Butler (Safety) out of Louisiana at No. 113 on day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft in Las Vegas.

Butler is a tremendous athlete running a 4.36 40, who will instantly replace Deshazor Everett, being much better in pass coverage, and help on special teams his rookie year backing up Bobby McCain.

Pro Football Talk analyst Chris Simms praised Butler before the draft, and literally as soon as Washington selected him.

Troy Apke has been the gunner, playing mostly special teams. It could also be the case that the defensive coaches may be looking to replace Apke as well. Apke was converted to cornerback last season.

Butler was second-team All-Sun Belt Conference his senior season of 2021, accumulating 61 tackles, six for loss, four pass breakups, one blocked kick in 12 games.

Well, the young man certainly possesses a great deal of confidence.