While the Washington Commanders remain focused on their postseason efforts, part of the organization needs to focus on the future. Whether they win or lose, the 2025 NFL Draft still takes place in April, and they need to evaluate their needs and which draftable players can fill that need.
One of the Commanders’ biggest weaknesses all season has been their run defense. They were the third-worst run defense in the NFL in 2024, allowing a total of 2,337 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, an average of 4.8 yards per carry. One of the ways they can address the run defense is with the draft, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper has a leading candidate:
Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
The Commanders are picking this late (and maybe later) in large part because they got immediate star power with their 2024 first-round pick: quarterback Jayden Daniels. Can they take another step by winning their first-round selection in 2025? Scourton plays with power. And while he can get to the quarterback as a passer (5 sacks), I really like this shape because of his run defense. Washington has been chewed up for 4.8 yards allowed per carry this season, 28th in the league. But Scourton has the strength to take advantage against the run, and he finished the season with 14 tackles for loss and 11 run stops.
Even if the Commanders drop out of the draft because they win on Sunday, there’s no reason to think Scourton wouldn’t be available to them anyway. He fits well with the commanders’ needs and has the ability to make an immediate impact, which is rare among recruits.
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This article was originally published on Commanders Wire: Commanders arrive in Mel Kiper’s latest simulation project