NFL Draft grades: Best, worst decisions made by every Eagles rival

NFL Draft grades: Washington Commanders

The Commanders get a passing grade but missed an opportunity to close the gap the Eagles have created between themselves and everyone else in the NFC East.

Washington’s 2023 NFL Draft class

Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State (Round 1, Pick 16)
Jartavius Martin, S, Illinois (Round 2, Pick 47)
Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas (Round 3, Pick 97)
Braeden Daniels, OG, Utah (Round 4, Pick 118)
K.J. Henry, DE, Clemson (Round 5, Pick 137)
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Kentucky Round 6, Pick 193
Andre Jones, LB, Louisiana (Round 7, Pick 233)

Best move: Addressing most of the needs they had coming in

Washinton’s first-round pick, Emmanuel Forbes, was a good one. He’s slim, but he makes a ton of explosive plays. Adding a safety, two offensive linemen, an edge rusher, and a linebacker addressed many of the needs they had coming in, but they missed one. Sadly, it may have been their biggest need.

Worst move: Ignoring the quarterback position 

When Washington selected Forbes, Will Levis was still on the board. When they added Jartavius Martin at the 47th-overall selection, new Eagles safety Sydney Brown’s former teammate, Hendon Hooker was still on the board. Jake Haener and Stetson Bennet were still available at 118.

Sure, there’s no guarantee that any of these guys are better than Sam Howell, Jake Fromm, or Jacoby Brissett, but if you’re the Commanders, you kind of have to grab one of these guys, right?

This is still an above-average draft for Washington, but they’re probably doomed again this season without an established signal-caller. Grade: B+