Let’s rewind to January 12, 2025. Dan Quinn‘s Washington Commanders were about to go head-to-head against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card game. Nobody would have guessed that the Washington team would win that game against the Super Bowl Champions, and that too, with a rookie quarterback. No way. But Jayden Daniels came straight to the gridiron with a winning mindset and registered his playoff seat in his first year in the NFL after defeating Baker Mayfield by 20-23. Jayden Daniels became a hero after the game as he landed three TDs with a 68.6 completion percentage. 

Well, after that wild-card game, Daniels led the team to win the NFC divisional round against the Lions, but ended up losing to the Eagles in the NFC conference championship. Looks great, right? But there is a flip side to it. Their defense allowed 326.9 yards per game. They were 29th in rushing defense. And last but not least, a lack of great players in the offensive squad to help out Jayden in pressuring situations. And for these reasons, Dan Quinn would sacrifice his important picks while arranging pieces in the 2025 draft by trading up and down. Curious about who those prospects Dan must be looking for? Let’s dive into it. 

Trade alert: 🏈

Looking at the eagerness of the Saints to draft Jaxson Dart, it is said that they would trade with the Washington Commanders for the round 1 pick. So, the Saints would have two first-round picks, that is, their 9th overall pick and 29th overall from the Commanders. In total, the Saints would have 1st-round and 4th-round picks from the Commanders. And what will Dan Quinn get? They would get another 2nd round pick from the Saints along with a 4th round and a 7th round pick. So, earlier before this trade, the Washington team would have had 5 picks, but now they can pick 6 prospects. 

Round 2 (40th overall): Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College Eagles

As we have already discussed, the Commanders were weak at the particular defensive positions, and one of them was the pass rusher. They were 29th in the rushing defense last season. So, that’s why it would be great if Dan Quinn picks Donovan Ezeiruaku up from Boston. We know that the Commanders also need a wide receiver to help Deebo Samuel, but before that, adding an advanced, young defensive weapon would ensure they have a good balance.

If we look at Donovan Ezeiruaku, he has played four seasons with a single team and consistently helped them to get the job done. In 2024, he tackled a total of 80 players, out of which 37 were solo tackles, which is nearly 50%. But that’s not the best part of this dish. Donovan Ezeiruaku has sacked a staggering 16.5 QBs in a single season. If it were NFL stats, he would have won DPOY awards for sure. So, according to us, picking him up as 40th overall would not lead to regret after two to three years. But wait, this is not the end of round 2, the Commanders would also get 61st overall.  

Round 2 (61st overall): Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa

As we discussed above, the Commanders would prefer adding a wide receiver to help Jayden Daniels in the second round. And to add a wide receiver, we have Jayden Higgins from Iowa State to dominate the NFL gridiron. There is a lot of talk going on that so many NFL teams have pointed radars toward Higgins. And it’s clear why these teams want such a beast wide receiver, even though they have Deebo Samuel. In the 2024 season, he scored nine touchdowns while receiving 87 passes and covering 1,183. But there is a catch. 

According to NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein, “[Higgins is] big inside/outside wideout with modest athletic attributes but outstanding ball skills that make him a projectable NFL prospect. Higgins needs a more limited route tree but can operate on all three levels in the right scheme.” But it’s an analysis of a rookie player, and there is no need to worry. These mistakes are coachable. But a lot of teams are already ready. Will the Washington team get another Jayden? Let’s wait, and now move on to the 4th round pick. 

Round 4 (112th overall): Roy Jabez Higgins, LB, Iowa

There are plenty of Iowa prospects who are great players, like the 49ers’ Brock Purdy, who also has roots in Iowa State. So, our next pick is from the same college. His name is Roy Jabez Higgins; people also know him as Jay Higgins. This player turned heads in the 2024 season when he made 14 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble against OSU on October 6, 2024. 

Actually, in the whole 2024 season, he has made a total of 124 tackles, out of which 53 were solo with five passes defended. Instantly reacting to post-snap movement from blockers, recognizing play design, being determined to get there, and navigating zone space very effectively in coverage are his strengths. But let’s see if he can land in Washington, which should probably happen as Dan Quinn’s team needs a future star defender like Jay Higgins.

Round 6 (205th overall): Cameron Williams, offensive tackle, Texas Longhorns

The Washington Commanders’ strategy is simple- just add help to Jayden Daniels with strong wide receivers and offensive lines. That’s why Cameron Williams is a perfect fit to handle the nasty defensive players from sacking Jayden Daniels. In the 2024 season, the Commanders’ No. 5 was sacked a massive 47 times. Josh Allen‘s offensive line, in comparison, only allowed 14 sacks of the 2024 MVP. Yes, that’s a huge difference. 

And to make the unbelievable happen, Quinn can roll up his sleeves and pick Cameron Williams at any cost. According to NFL.com, “Williams is more mauler than a mover in the run game, while his protection consistency should improve with more work. Experience should bring out his upside, but his ceiling could be an average starting right tackle.” So, the franchise should also consider these weaknesses and work on them before starting the season. 

Round 7 (245th overall): Kaden Prather, WR, Maryland

“That Montgomery County area, there’s a lot of talent that comes out of there. It’s expected to get to this level.” This is what Prather said once, and he was absolutely right. Maybe he was not talking about himself, but he was right. The way Prather has played in 2024 marks a new journey. He has landed 4 TDs while receiving 56 receptions and covering 624 yards. 

According to draft prospect analyst Lance Zierlein, “[Kaden Prather is an] outside receiver with size and speed to create advantages downfield. Prather is not explosive, though he builds and carries speed to create deep windows. He needs to do a better job of finishing routes and catches.” What an apt description. He also holds the power to create different routes near the endzone. 

So, adding this wideout horse to the stable won’t waste a single penny. Though not good enough right now, he holds the caliber to flip the game with his long strides. Phew! Now, the last pick goes to Jayden Daniels. And you know, picking up the following prospect will make other teams count yards. 

Round 7 (254th overall): Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens 

This 5’11” running back has played five college seasons with a single team, Delaware, from 2020 to 2024. After playing high-school football at Salisbury, Maryland, his destiny called him to go to Delaware to change his aura. And what changed after landing in Delaware? 

In the 2024 season, Marcus Yarns has made 133 rushing attempts for 844 yards to land six touchdowns. His ability to run with good patience and lightning speed has earned him a name in the 2025 draft class. According to his analysis of performance at the NFL combine, analyst Zierlein has said that Marcus is a two-year starter from the FCS who needs a very specific role to have a long-term chance. Yarns was a productive three-down player at Delaware. He’s a slender long-strider with good top-end speed. Well, looks good through stats and analysis. But let’s see if the Dan Quinn’s Commanders will pick him up for Jayden Daniels.

The Washington Commanders’ surprising playoff surge under rookie QB Jayden Daniels exposed both promise and key weaknesses, especially in defense, protection, and offensive depth. Dan Quinn’s aggressive draft strategy, marked by savvy trades and targeted picks, aims to address those gaps with high-upside prospects like pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Kaden Prather, and offensive tackle Cameron Williams. With added defensive support from linebacker Roy Jabez Higgins and a dynamic backfield option in Marcus Yarns, the Commanders are building a balanced, competitive roster. If these picks develop as hoped, Washington’s rebuild could soon turn into a full-blown resurgence.