The Washington Commanders finished the 2022 season with a record of 8-8-1, as they were competitive all season long at covering the spread set by Virginia sportsbooks. However, they still finished last in the NFC East due to subpar quarterback play all season long.
So how do the Commanders get back on track this year and finally challenge the Eagles and the Cowboys atop of the NFC East? By nailing the 2023 NFL Draft.
But what position might the Commanders target in Round 1? And what players make the most sense at those positions? Here are the odds for what position they will select at No. 16 during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Keep it here at BetVirginia for the best online Virginia sports betting apps ahead of next week's Draft.
Which Position Are Commanders Most Likely To Address At NFL Draft?
Cornerbacks Are Heavy Favorites
The most likely position the Commanders will select in Round 1 is a cornerback. Their top two cornerbacks heading into the 2023 season are Benjamin St-Juste and Kendall Fuller. That’s not good enough in a division with A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Devonta Smith, and now Brandin Cooks.
The two most commonly mocked cornerbacks to the Commanders at No. 16 are Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State) and Deonte Banks (Maryland). Porter has the size and length while Banks is the better athlete. Of the two cornerbacks, Banks is probably the better fit due to his 4.35 speed and overall athleticism.
Offensive Line Also Makes Sense
Another position to watch is offensive line, as the Commanders could be looking to add some more star power to the unit.
The ideal fit would be Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State) as he can play both guard and tackle. With Charles Leno Jr. currently slated to be the starting left tackle, Johnson could play left guard and eventually make the switch to tackle down the road.
Keep an eye on Peter Skoronski (Northwestern) as he could be their version of Zack Martin. Skoronski was a dominant left tackle in the Big Ten, but his short arms (32 ¼”) might force him to move to guard. However, he could be an All-Pro caliber guard on the right team with some additional position flexibility.
If he is available at No. 16, he would be too good of an option to pass up for the Commanders.
Could We Be In For A Surprise?
If the Commanders decide to go in an entirely different direction in Round 1, don’t rule out the possibility of a running back at No. 16. Ron Rivera was the coach in Carolina when the Panthers selected Christian McCaffrey at No. 8 and he might view Bijan Robinson as a similar prospect who can be used as a weapon in the passing game.
Robinson is widely viewed as a top-five prospect in this class and could be considered a “steal” in Round 1 by the Commanders.
However, as much fun as it would be to speculate about Robinson joining the Commanders, expect Washington to use their top pick on a cornerback or an offensive lineman in Round 1. That’s just the value, and the need seems to line up for the Commanders at No. 16.
Rivera's squad needs all the help it can get. Over at BetMGM Sportsbook VA, the Commanders are +1000 to win the NFC East, last behind the Eagles (+110), Cowboys (+175) and Giants (+500).
