Tag: David Blackburn

Commanders GM Adam Peters’ statement on hiring David Blackburn

What did Adam Peters say about his latest hire?

Washington general manager Adam Peters is on a roll. After a busy free-agency period that saw the Commanders sign over 20 players, Peters selected nine players in the 2024 NFL draft, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels. The moves have earned him praise from around the NFL.

This month, Peters has remained busy reshaping the front office. Washington has allowed several executives and scouts from the previous administration to leave so that the personnel department can be rebuilt according to Peters’ vision.

Peters continues to make top-notch hires. Earlier this week, the Commanders hired 31-year-old Brandon Sosna as the new senior vice president of football operations. Sosna is viewed as a rising star around the NFL.

Next, Washington officially confirmed the rumored hiring of former Ravens personnel executive David Blackburn. Blackburn has spent the past 17 years with the Ravens—arguably the NFL’s best front office—and was named Washington’s new director of player personnel.

Here’s what Peters said of Blackburn:

I’ve known David Blackburn for a number of years dating back to our days scouting the West Coast. David has always impressed me with his consistent approach, talent in player evaluation and overall professionalism. He is one of the most respected scouts in the NFL and is also a top-notch person. He has been a valued member of the Baltimore Ravens personnel department and has learned from two of the most well-respected people in our business in Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta. David will be an outstanding addition to the staff we are building here in Washington.

Peters deserves the most credit for hiring people he hasn’t worked with before. That means he doesn’t need to completely surround himself with only people who know how he thinks. He is hiring scouts and executives from around the NFL whom he has watched from afar and respects.

It’s certainly a new approach in Washington.

Commanders to hire Dwaune Jones as national scout

Adam Peters is staying busy.

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters is on a roll. Earlier on Monday, the Commanders announced the hiring of Brandon Sosna as the club’s new senior vice president of football operations. Sosna is viewed as a rising star in the NFL and comes to Washington from the Detroit Lions.

The Commanders are also reportedly hiring away David Blackburn from the Ravens to serve as the organization’s new director of player personnel.

Peters isn’t done. Neil Stratton — @InsideTheLeague on X — revealed that Washington hired Dwaune Jones as a national scout. Jones, 46, is a McLean, Va., native, played college football at Richmond and spent 12 years with the Saints as a scout, four years with the Ravens in the same role and the previous three seasons with the Falcons as the assistant director of college scouting.

The Commanders have allowed multiple members of their front office to depart as Peters reshapes the organization under his vision. Chris Polian, who served as Washington’s director of pro personnel for the past three seasons, is the latest departure. Polian heads to the Cleveland Browns, where he’ll be an advisor.

Commanders officially hire Brandon Sosna senior vice president of football operations

It’s official. Commanders hire Brandon Sosna as team’s new senior vice president of football operations.

Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network revealed that the Washington Commanders were expected to hire Detroit Lions executive Brandon Sosna for a high-ranking front office position.

On Monday, the Commanders officially confirmed the move, naming Sosna as the franchise’s new senior vice president of football operations.

Sosna will report directly to general manager Adam Peters and will be Washington’s lead contract negotiator. He will oversee multiple football operations departments, such as analytics, health and performance, and sports administration. He will also play a significant role in roster construction, the salary cap, and the CBA.

Peters released the following statement:

We are excited to welcome Brandon Sosna to the Washington Commanders. Brandon was a key addition to Brad Holmes’ staff in 2022 and played a vital role in assisting the Lions in their roster construction these past two seasons. His expertise on the salary cap and in contract negotiations along with his well-rounded skillset developed through his unique career across the NFL and collegiate athletics makes him a great fit for the front office we are building here in Washington. I’d like to thank the Detroit Lions organization and specifically, President Rod Wood who was first-class in how he handled the process of getting Brandon to Washington. Brandon is a home run hire, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the DMV.

Sosna, 31, is a fast riser in the NFL ranks, having spent the past two seasons with the Lions in a significant role under GM Brad Holmes. Before that, Sosna spent three seasons at USC and was instrumental in helping the Trojans move to the Big Ten.

Rob Rogers has been Washington’s top contract negotiator since 2020 and will likely be elsewhere next season.

Neil Stratton also reported that Ravens executive David Blackburn will also join Washington as the team’s new director of player personnel. Ben Standig of The Athletic initially reported the Commanders expected to hire Stratton.

Commanders reportedly looking to Ravens for prominent front office hire

Adam Peters looking to Baltimore as he revamps front office.

Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters continues to reshape the front office. Since the end of the 2024 NFL draft two weeks ago, Washington has allowed multiple executives or scouts to depart while hiring one scout.

Washington did not renew the contract of senior director of player personnel, Eric Stokes. Stokes had been with the Commanders since 2020, hired by former head coach Ron Rivera.

Peters could have a replacement in mind. According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, the Commanders are targeting Ravens director of college scouting David Blackburn.

Standig didn’t specify a title for Blackburn, but it would likely be a promotion of some sort for him to leave Baltimore.

Landing anyone from Baltimore would be a coup for Peters. After being hired in January, Peters hired Lance Newmark away from the Detroit Lions to be Washington’s assistant manager.

It’s common for front-office movement to occur after the draft, as teams are unlikely to allow scouts or personnel directors to leave during draft season.

Also leaving Washington are former senior director of player development Malcolm Bracken, national scout David Whittington, and college scout Harrison Ritcher. Whittington (Panthers) and Ritcher (Falcons) have landed new jobs.

More moves will likely happen for the Commanders as Peters looks to reshape the front office to his liking.

Ravens director of college scouting David Blackburn breaks down CB T.J. Tampa’s skillset

The Baltimore Ravens made several value picks in the 2024 NFL Draft with the best example being cornerback T.J. Tampa. The Iowa State defensive back was selected with the No. 130 overall pick in the fourth round by the Ravens, 75 picks later than …

The Baltimore Ravens made several value picks in the 2024 NFL Draft with the best example being cornerback T.J. Tampa. The Iowa State defensive back was selected with the No. 130 overall pick in the fourth round by the Ravens, 75 picks later than his position on the consensus big board by Wide Left Football’s Arif Hasaan.

Baltimore director of college scouting David Blackburn explained what stood out about Tampa following the draft.

“[T.J. Tampa’s] athleticism at his size [stands out],” Blackburn said. “He’s long. He can flip his hips. He can change directions well. [He’s a] former wideout, so I think there is some built-in upside to him, as a player. He just kind of plays the game smoothly; he doesn’t look too stressed. He tackles well. He’s a guy that’s going to compete. He’ll run down on kicks and be a special teams guy for us. [He’s got] good makeup, good mentality. [He’s] a smart football player. They speak highly of him at [Iowa State]. So, again, any time you have [well]-sized corner, you’re always intrigued, but I think he’s got the necessary movement skills at that size, along with his length, to give us something as a coverage player and then also be able to support the run.”

Tampa was the second cornerback taken by the Ravens in the 2024 draft after selecting Clemson’s Nate Wiggins with the No. 30 overall pick in the first round.

Ravens director of college scouting David Blackburn talks about WR Devontez Walker

The Baltimore Ravens added an explosive playmaker to their offense on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker with the No. 113 overall pick in the fourth round. Ravens director of college scouting David …

The Baltimore Ravens added an explosive playmaker to their offense on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker with the No. 113 overall pick in the fourth round.

Ravens director of college scouting David Blackburn talked about Walker’s skillset following the draft.

“He just has vertical explosiveness [and] the ability to get behind coverage, take the top off the defense, make big plays,” Blackburn said. “He is a threat, and he also does it at his size. He’s not a small guy, and he doesn’t play small downfield. He can put pressure on the defense, and he’s able to make some contested catches downfield. I think that bodes well for our offense and our quarterback. He didn’t really have the week that he wanted in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, but [his] pro day was great, his Combine was great. The thing that I really like most about him is that he’s encountered some athletic adversity in his life, and he’s overcome. And, he’s a really mentally tough kid, as well as physically tough. He works at his craft, and he’s a great teammate. So, outside of those physical traits that he has, he has a lot of intangibles as well.”

Walker will compete for snaps in a wide receiver corps consisting of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace, Deonte Harty, and Sean Ryan.