The Washington Commanders picked only five players in the 2025 NFL Draft, due to trades for cornerback Marshon Lattimore, left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. This was one year after Washington picked nine players, including quarterback Jayden Daniels, in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Expectations were high for the Commanders in 2025 after their surprising run to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. So, there was an expectation that each of Washington’s draft picks could make an impact in 2025.
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Here’s the Commanders’ full 2025 NFL Draft class:
Round 1, No. 29 overall: T Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Round 2, No. 61 overall: CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Round 4, No. 128 overall: WR Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
Round 6, No. 205 overall: LB Kain Medrano, UCLA
Round 7, No. 245 overall: RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona
Conerly and Amos were immediate starters, while Croskey-Merritt was involved early. While Conerly got off to a rough start, he turned things around and finished the season strong. Amos was Washington’s best cornerback until he broke his leg in Week 10. Lane had flashes on offense, but was an outstanding punt returner, returning two for touchdowns. He was among the league leaders until he was injured late in the season. Medrano didn’t play any on defense, but was a key performer on special teams all season. Croskey-Merritt ran for 805 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt, and rushed for eight touchdowns, all of which led the team.
So, how did Washington’s draft class fare against the rest of the NFL?
Gennaro Filice of NFL.com ranked all 32 draft classes, and the Commanders came in at No. 13, impressive considering they only drafted five players.
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Filice gave the Commanders a B and offered the following analysis:
At this time last year, Josh Conerly Jr. was widely viewed as a raw prospect with enticing developmental upside. The Commanders took him in Round 1 and immediately threw him into the fire. How did the bookend blocker respond? Admirably, with visible real-time growth over the course of a 17-start campaign that didn’t see him miss a single snap. After spending the previous two seasons as Oregon’s starting left tackle, Conerly shifted to the right side to fill the slot opposite five-time Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil. The transition — to a new position and a new level of football — was rough, initially. According to Pro Football Focus’ charting, Conerly allowed six sacks and 28 pressures in his first eight games. Over the final nine games of the season, though, Conerly slashed those figures to just two sacks and 15 pressures. That’s a trend line that forecasts plenty of sunshine in Year 2. Meanwhile, Trey Amos looked like Washington’s best cornerback before fracturing his fibula in early November, and seventh-round steal Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the team’s ground attack in yards (805) and touchdowns (eight).
Washington appears to have drafted five players who can be key contributors for years, including two starters at premium positions. That’s a win for GM Adam Peters. Ideally, Lane continues to develop as a receiver and contribute there, in addition to his punt-return duties. Even if Medrano plays only special teams, his speed makes him a long-term impact player there. Even if the Commanders add a running back in free agency, Croskey-Merritt has proven he will be in the picture moving forward.
Peters needs another strong draft in 2026. He also needs more from some of the players drafted behind Daniels in 2024. The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be extremely important to the future of the Commanders. But the good news is things are looking great for Washington’s 2025 class, despite a rough season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 2025 NFL draft class was a win