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The Washington Commanders hold the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Will Washington go offense with a wide receiver, or do the Commanders select Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton if he slips out of the top 10?
For Washington, the choice should be easy — offense.
The Commanders have selected a defensive player in the first round for five consecutive years. Washington finished No. 22 in total defense in 2021. It’s time for head coach Ron Rivera to start spending premium draft capital on offense.
At No. 11, the Commanders are guaranteed to have one of the top wide receivers available. Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams are considered the top four wideouts, and at least one will fall to Washington. This draft is so unpredictable that all four could fall to the Commanders.
But it’s time for Washington to give Terry McLaurin some help. Yes, the Commanders signed Curtis Samuel in free agency last season and drafted Dyami Brown in the third round. Washington received a combined 18 receptions for 192 yards from Samuel and Brown in 2021.
The Commanders can’t go into the 2022 season depending on Samuel to be healthy and Brown to be better. Can it happen? Sure, but Washington isn’t doing enough to help quarterback Carson Wentz if that’s the plan.
Let’s say London and Wilson are gone, and Washington isn’t comfortable with Williams or Olave at No. 11. What happens next? The Commanders could use more help on the offensive line. If Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross falls to No. 11, he’d be a slam-dunk pick. Washington could move Sam Cosmi inside to guard, and the offensive line is suddenly a strength again.
Ultimately, the 2022 NFL draft should be about helping Wentz succeed. Head coach Ron Rivera has stated that the Commanders need to surround Wentz with playmakers or protection. Would Hamilton be tempting? Yes, but do we trust defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio to know how to employ Hamilton best?
Regardless of what this regime thinks, you can’t build your teams to win games 13-10. If it can’t move back, Washington should draft the top wide receiver on its board at No. 11. Whether it is Wilson, London, or Olave, all represent an upgrade opposite McLaurin. And if Samuel is healthy and Brown shows growth, the wide receiver position is suddenly deep and full of speed.