Tag: NFL Draft grades

As we continue to review the grades for the Washington Commanders’ 2023 NFL draft haul, the results are mostly pretty similar. Many give Washington a “B” or “C” for its efforts in landing seven picks.

Eric Edholm, a draft analyst for NFL.com, recently graded each NFC East team’s draft, and he gave the Eagles [A] and Giants [B] the top grades in the division. Edholm gave the Dallas Cowboys and Commanders a “C.”

What did Edholm like and dislike about Washington’s draft?

Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes was a surprise pick to some at 16 (especially with Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez still on the board), but he likely wasn’t going to last much longer. Scouts were infatuated with Forbes’ rare playmaking knack, which Washington could use in a stable QB division. Forbes had six INTs last season; the Commanders had nine as a team.

Edholm likes Jartavius “Quan” Martin:

Jartavius “Quan” Martin was a player who really grew on me during the pre-draft process. He has the flexibility to play inside/outside corner, as well as safety. I think the nickel is his most likely home.

Washington’s offensive linemen:

Washington finally addressed the O-line with back-to-back picks after that, and though I liked Braeden Daniels more than Ricky Stromberg, the centers were coming off the board quickly. Daniels’ athleticism could make up for his lack of length and give him a chance at tackle; otherwise, he projects well inside, too.

Like many, Edholm liked the Commanders’ selection of Clemson EDGE K.J. Henry in the fifth round:

Pass rusher was another double-up spot with KJ Henry and Andre Jones Jr. on Day 3, and it’s another layer of insurance in light of Chase Young’s fifth-year option being declined. Henry, in particular, was a really nice pick in Round 5. He’s a high-character, high-motor player who very much can outplay his draft slot.

What he didn’t like:

I’d have liked to see a tight end land here, given the strength of the class, but instead, the Commanders used their one offensive skill-position pick on Chris Rodriguez Jr., a hard-running grinder who gives them some more depth at the position.

Washington liked its tight ends heading into the draft. The Commanders are counting on a bounceback season from veteran Logan Thomas, who is fully healthy in 2023. Washington also has the steady John Bates and three second-year players, Armani Rogers, Cole Turner and Curtis Hodges. The Commanders really like all three players, and continuing to develop them versus squandering a pick on a tight end in the middle rounds made more sense.

The Washington Commanders made it clear heading into the 2023 NFL draft that they were looking for help on the offensive line and at cornerback. So it was no surprise that Washington picked defensive backs with its first two picks and offensive linemen with its following two choices.

Of course, many complained that the Commanders didn’t select an offensive lineman at No. 16. But with the top four options off the board, Washington did the smart thing by not reaching for someone in the next group of offensive linemen and turning its attention to a player it loved in cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.

Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports recently ranked every draft class from 1-32 and had the Commanders at No. 23.

Favorite pick: Emmanuel Forbes might weigh just 166 pounds. but we don’t care. At all. He’s the best ball-hawking corner in this class — he had six pick-sixes in his career — and he has better hands than some of the wideouts in this class.

Best value: K.J. Henry is an older prospect (he’ll be 24 and a half when the season starts), but he shows some burst off the edge and has an array of pass-rush moves. He will need to get stronger.

Most surprising pick: Jartavius “Quan” Martin. Not because the Commanders took him, but because we wouldn’t have been shocked if he had gone off the board even earlier (even though we had him going mid-second round, we thought we might be too conservative in our evaluation). We love the idea of Washington doubling down with Forbes and Martin with back-to-back picks, a smart development because a) it was a need, and b) the other NFC East QBs will likely be airing it out a lot in 2023.

What’s interesting is Wilson was complimentary of Washington’s draft — yet ranked it 23rd.

One could certainly make an argument that the Commanders should have been more aggressive in pursuing potential trades, something general manager Martin Mayhew even mentioned after the draft, but outside of one trade, they stayed put and selected the highest-ranked player on their board.

Washington’s 2023 draft class will ultimately be judged on the field, not in post-draft power rankings.

The Washington Commanders’ 2023 NFL draft haul continues to receive mixed reviews. While many have given Washington a strong “B” for its efforts, others believed the Commanders had one of the worst drafts of the weekend.

As we all know, what someone thinks of a draft grade in the days and weeks after is meaningless. The various “experts” draft boards differ significantly from those inside the NFL. So, while one says a team got great value when a player fell down the board or a team reached, that doesn’t mean NFL teams view things similarly.

The latest critique of Washington’s draft comes from Charles McDonald of Yahoo Sports, who gives the Commanders a “D+.” Well, it was mighty nice of McDonald to add that plus to his grade.

Here’s his analysis:

This Commanders draft probably isn’t moving the needle on what’s going to be a mediocre team in 2023. Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, their first-round pick, can be a starter in this league, but at 166 pounds he faces a tough transition to get going in the NFL. Outside of Forbes, this draft class doesn’t feel like it has a chance to change what the Commanders have going on this year. This feels like a draft class that a future regime is going to have to nurture and foster. A coach in Ron Rivera that’s potentially on the hot seat needs more than what the Commanders have acquired.

Favorite pick: K.J. Henry, EDGE, Clemson (137th overall)

K.J. Henry was pegged as a sleeper along the defensive line and the Commanders needed to exit this draft class with at least some quality depth in case Chase Young does end up walking in free agency at the end of his contract. Henry doesn’t have elite traits, but he was a solid playmaker for Clemson along the defensive line. Nice pickup by the Commanders at this point.

Least favorite pick: Jartavius Martin, DB, Illinois (47th overall)

Martin is a great athlete, but the Commanders could have found someone that didn’t need as much seasoning at this point in the draft. Martin did a bit of everything in Illinois’ defense, but will probably line up at cornerback to start his NFL career. He has the traits to make it out there, but he’ll need some time to marinate.

McDonald made some valid points. There’s a chance that Washington’s draft doesn’t move the needle a lot in 2023, partly because of what the other NFC East teams did. As we’ve said all along, much of Washington’s success — or lack thereof — depends on quarterback Sam Howell.

The initial reviews are in for the Washington Commanders’ 2023 NFL draft class, and most are positive.

However, not everyone thought the Commanders had a particularly strong draft.

Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News handed out his grades for the draft, ranking each team’s class from 1-32. Iyer ranked Washington’s draft at No. 30, one of three teams that earned a “D” grade.

Draft picks: CB Emmanuel Forbes, S Jartavius Martin, G Ricky Stromberg, OT Braeden Daniels, EDGE K.J. Henry, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., EDGE Andre Jones

Analysis: The Commanders did OK filling their defensive needs, but notably absent was linebacker, tight end and developmental quarterback. They also reached for Forbes and Martin early and didn’t good value in either Stromberg or Daniels. They remain the by-far worst team in the otherwise loaded NFC East.

Grade: D

Ouch.

Iyer seems particularly harsh on the Commanders because they didn’t do what he thought they should do. Reached on Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin? Not everyone agrees with that assessment. While Stromberg and Daniels went around where many believed they’d go, from the end of round three into Day 3 of the draft.

Regarding needing a tight end and development quarterback, Iyer must not have a strong grasp on Washington’s current roster. Sam Howell is the developmental quarterback. He has the 2023 season to show the coaches he should be the starter in 2024 and beyond.

At tight end, why would the Commanders add another developmental prospect? Cole Turner, Armani Rogers and Curtis Hodges are all entering their second season. Unless Washington was drafting Michael Mayer or Dalton Kincaid, it made no sense to add another tight end unless they were convinced he was truly better than one of the incumbents.

Making matters worse, Iyer has the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys all ranked No. 2, No. 4 and No. 24, respectively.

The good news, Iyer’s rankings do not matter. Neither do Mel Kiper’s or anyone else’s. It will be up to the Commanders’ rookies to show they belong in the NFL.

The 2023 NFL draft is over, and teams are hurrying to sign the top undrafted free agents as we head toward rookie minicamps. The Washington Commanders wrapped up the draft weekend by selecting seven new players, some of whom should become immediate contributors.

While everyone knows you can’t grade a draft until 2-3 years down the road, the experts have weighed in. Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN gave the Commanders a “B” for their efforts.

The consensus liked Washington’s draft, but not everyone did. Most liked the Commanders’ first-round pick, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, but some questioned if he should’ve been selected over Christian Gonzalez.

Here’s how experts graded the Commanders’ class.