Everyone knows how important it is to hit on your first-round selection in the draft. It is your most valuable pick. If you hit on it, you bring a key player onto your roster. If the choice becomes a bust, you turn into a mockery.
Day 2 of the NFL Draft can be just as important. Several teams will find important foundational players for their team for the next decade or more in the second and third rounds.
Adam Peters found some hidden gems on Day 2 for the Washington Commanders in 2024. Mike Sainristil has turned into a great cornerback already, with versatility to shine both in the nickel and on the boundary.
Brandon Coleman showed a lot of good flashes in his rookie year for a third-round pick. He now has the chance to build on that with the move to right tackle in Year 2 of his career.
Defensive tackle Johnny Newton and tight end Ben Sinnott are two players with a ton of potential who were taken for the future. With proper development, they will be key players on the roster. Even Luke McCaffrey showed flashes when given the opportunity. Fans are vying for the wide receiver to get more playing time.
The Commanders currently only hold one pick on Day 2 this year, which is their second-round pick at No. 61 overall. Peters will have a chance to make trades to gain more selections on this day, but he should also consider these five prospects expected to be available when Washington goes on the clock.
Can’t-miss 2025 NFL Draft prospects the Commanders could steal on Day 2
Commanders could draft Kevin Winston Jr.
- Safety | Penn State Nittany Lions
Jeremy Chinn was arguably the Washington Commanders’ biggest loss of the offseason after he signed a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. However, Kevin Winston Jr. is the perfect replacement.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds with 32 1/2-inch arms, Winston has great size for an NFL safety. He combines this with elite explosiveness. He ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, but he looks even quicker on film.
Winston only played in two games in 2024 due to a season-ending knee injury. However, he was an absolute star in 2023. He is not looked at on par with prospects like Nick Emmanwori, Malaki Starks, or Xavier Watts in this draft class, but he should be.
The Penn State prospect is a tackling machine. In 13 games played in 2023, Winston had zero missed tackles. He is the definition of an exceptional run defender.
Winston’s length is also a major plus in coverage. He shows the instincts needed to be good in zone situations and is physical enough to succeed against tight ends in coverage.
Commanders could draft Darien Porter
- Cornerback | Iowa State Cyclones
The Washington Commanders have good cornerbacks on the roster with Mike Sainristil and Marshon Lattimore. They have solid depth pieces that can start if needed, with Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene. Even so, there is still room for improvement.
Darien Porter has the rare gift of having size and speed for the position. He stands at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds with 33 1/8-inch arms to go along with his 4.30-second 40-yard dash speed. The fact that he’s a track star turned football hopeful shows.
Porter is also a former wide receiver after starting his college career as a pass-catcher at Iowa State. He is still developing as a cornerback, which means Dan Quinn would have a project with a lot of potential on his hands.
Being a former receiver has its positives. It helps Porter with his instincts, route recognition, and ball-tracking skills. Add his speed to this, and he can run routes for receivers at times. He is also able to excel in both zone and man coverage schemes.
The Cyclones prospect needs to refine his technique. If Porter can achieve this objective, he has the potential to be a long-time starter at the cornerback position in the NFL.
Commanders could draft Dylan Sampson
- Running Back | Tennessee Volunteers
Running back is an overlooked need for the Washington Commanders. Adam Petters must address it with one of his early draft selections.
Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler lead the running back group currently. Both are solid backs, but neither is dynamic enough to be an every-down force at this point in their careers.
Dylan Sampson fits the description of a dynamic running back who is capable of playing on every down. He is smaller, standing at 5-foot-8 and weighing 200 pounds, but not diminutive enough to where he can’t be a contributor for an NFL team. Besides, he makes up for his size with his 4.42-second 40-yard dash speed.
His production profile in 2024 is off the charts, putting up 1,488 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 258 carries. Sampson also caught 20 of 25 targets for 143 receiving yards.
Sampson has just about every trait you look for in a running back. He’s got great vision, good burst, and explosiveness behind eye-catching footwork to make cuts and superb contact balance for his size. The rushing production backs this up.
Even though there is not a lot of receiving production, Sampson showed decent traits on film. He also displayed the willingness and effort needed to be a solid blocker.
There is a good shot that Sampson will be available in the third round, so he could be a target for the Commanders if Peters trades up or down.
Commanders could draft Oluwafemi Oladejo
- Edge Rusher | UCLA Bruins
Pass rushing was arguably the Washington Commanders’ weakest position group in 2024, and it showed. Even with how good Dan Quinn is at getting the best out of his edge rushers, the defense could not consistently get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Oluwafemi Oladejo is an off-ball linebacker turned full-time edge rusher just two games into his senior season, which means he is still refining his skill set. Staying as a pass-rushing specialist would allow him to reach his highest potential.
The UCLA prospect stands at 6-foot-3 and 259 pounds with 33 3/8-inch arms, giving him good size for an NFL edge rusher. His athleticism and mobility are elite.
His linebacker experience has translated well to the prospect’s run defense on the edge. He can quickly process plays and use his lengthy arms and wingspan to plug gaps. Oladejo also violently launches himself at ball carriers, showing off a ruthless streak that’s hard not to love.
Oladejo’s production in 2024 isn’t exactly eye-popping, as he compiled 51 total tackles, 37 pressures, and seven sacks in 12 games. However, the reason for this is due to how new he is to the edge position.
There is a good chance Oladejo will be available in the third round. This makes him another player Adam Peters could look to possibly trade up or down for.
He’s raw, but Oladejo’s ceiling is through the roof if everything comes together.
Commanders could draft Jonah Savaiinaea
- Offensive Line | Arizona Wildcats
Every Commanders fan knows how subpar the offensive line was in crucial moments last season. The protection improved, but Jayden Daniels’ mobility helped mask some issues.
Adam Peters added key players like Tyler Biadasz in free agency and Brandon Coleman in the draft last year. The general manager went bolder this time around, trading for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
With the arrival of Tunsil, Coleman will be tested out at right tackle. Right guard Sam Cosmi’s ACL injury means he’ll be out for some time. Finding a short-term replacement with position versatility should be in Peters’ thought process.
Jonah Savaiinaea could be the perfect plug-and-play solution to the Commanders’ offensive line. He played both left and right tackle in college. However, he likely profiles more as a guard in the NFL.
The good news is that guard help is what the Commanders need. Savaiinaea has experience on both sides of the line. The potential of him being a good interior presence in the league is high, and he will also offer tackle flexibility if injuries occur.
The Arizona prospect offers good size at 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds to go along with 33 7/8-inch arms. Savaiinaea also shows strengths in both run and pass blocking.
Savaiinaea would likely slide into the left guard position if he is drafted by the Commanders. If Coleman does not work out at right tackle, they could swap positions.