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The Commanders will have the 16th pick in the NFL Draft when Round 1 begins April 27 in Kansas City. Washington owns eight picks in total, including two compensatory picks.

Commanders’ draft picks

Full draft order

Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft.

NFL Draft details

• Round 1: April 27, 8 p.m. ET
• Rounds 2-3: April 28, 7 p.m. ET
• Rounds 4-7: April 29, Noon ET

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All rounds will be televised on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.

About the Commanders

• Head coach: Ron Rivera (fourth season)
• General manager: Martin Mayhew (third season)
• Last year’s record: 8-8-1

Washington’s seasons under head coach Ron Rivera feel like a flat circle. Another slow start, followed by a midseason surge and then a late swooning that cost the Commanders a playoff berth. The defense, led by tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, rebounded to top-10 form, and the offense is stacked with playmakers.

After the Carson Wentz experiment failed, Rivera supported second-year QB Sam Howell and brought in Jacoby Brissett to provide two paths for a steadier starting QB. Washington also locked up Payne on an extension and added reinforcements along the offensive line and at linebacker.

Commanders’ key position needs

Cornerback: Washington limited big plays allowed after a rocky start — and following Benjamin St-Juste moving outside, opposite Kendall Fuller. Who handles the slot or serves as the primary backup on the outside this season remains unclear. Targeting a cornerback in the first round would be helpful for the near and possibly long-term, as Fuller is scheduled to be a free agent in 2024.

Offensive line: Signing free agents Andrew Wylie and Nick Gates started the required revamping, but the Commanders lack obvious Pro Bowl talent. There’s merit in drafting any of the three positions, but the interior spots are the most uncertain.

Tight end: The Commanders struggled for production last season yet appear intent on returning with the same group. Logan Thomas labored as a blocker in 2022 and took some time to knock off rust after recovering from 2021 knee surgery, while promising rookies Armani Rogers and Cole Turner combined for just seven receptions.

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Commanders draft analysis

What we’re hearing about the Commanders’ draft outlook: Many evaluators think it’s a weak draft class overall, and Washington might have issues if the OT run starts early.

Final Commanders big board: Possible targets include 12 in Round 1, with five names in particular standing out.

Washington’s D-line dilemma The Commanders probably can’t keep both Chase Young and Montez Sweat, which puts a first-round DE in play.

The Athletic’s most recent mock drafts

April 27: Dane Brugler’s final mock draft
Brugler has the Commanders going with a surprise name in Round 1.

April 26: Final beat writer mock draft
Ben Standig didn’t like his options at No. 16, but he couldn’t find a trade partner, so he opted for a playmaking cornerback.

April 25: Commanders final 7-round mock draft
Standig was able to hit all of Washington’s major needs, including an offensive tackle in Round 1.

Commanders’ last five top picks

• 2022: WR Jahan Dotson, pick No. 16 — Polished from the jump, Dotson ranked among league leaders in touchdowns before a Week 4 hamstring injury. He still finished with a team-best seven TD receptions thanks to a blend of speed, quickness and route running savvy. Dotson, Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel form one of the more impressive WR trios in the league.

• 2021: LB Jamin Davis, pick No. 19 — After a slow start threatened to bring up the “bust” label, the athletically gifted Davis took positive steps in his second season. Still more raw than polished, Davis remains a possible game-wrecker should he develop his instincts and coverage skills.

• 2020: DE Chase Young, pick No. 2 — Young winning the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 seems like a decade ago. His next season included only 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits in nine games before he suffered a significant knee injury that kept him sidelined for 22 games before a late-season return in December 2022. Now he enters a pivotal fourth season with Washington debating whether to pick up his expensive fifth-year option for 2024.

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• 2019: QB Dwayne Haskins, pick No. 15 — It’s still hard to believe that Haskins died tragically last year at 24. The football part of his story in Washington is not relevant, other than to note the search for a starting quarterback continues.

• 2018: DT Daron Payne, pick No. 13 — The powerful lineman delivered a career year in 2022 with a team-high 11.5 sacks while maintaining his run-stuffing hype. Washington rewarded Payne with a four-year, $90 million extension, ensuring the Commanders keep their dynamic DT tandem with Jonathan Allen together.

(Photo of Broderick Jones: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)

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