B+
Washington Commanders
The Commanders let Jackson fall and pounced. Final grade: B+.
by inolen ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 4 steals
· 4 reaches
Call it larceny. Ja'Quinden Jackson sat on the board until No. 239, and the Commanders did not need to be asked twice. More right than wrong, and a B+ to match.
The cost of the Smith reach is exactly the players who went right after him. The tight end hole is the one line item this class does not answer.
The trade work was a quiet net positive.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but tight end.
Pick-by-Pick
Nothing to complain about; Luther Burden III went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They will replay Malaki Starks at the 56th pick for years; that is how good the value is. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
A big swing on Jordan Burch at No. 61, well ahead of any board in the building. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Jihaad Campbell at the Round 3 slot is daylight robbery; nobody expected him to last. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
A conviction pick on Jaeden Roberts at pick No. 147 that the board grades a round light. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Harold Perkins Jr. at pick 198 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
Ja'Quinden Jackson in Round 7, Pick 25 should not have been possible, and that is the whole point. A need, and now a little less of one.
A real head-scratcher, Tim Smith in the 246th overall pick is miles ahead of his ranking. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
They reached a country mile for Jamaree Caldwell at slot 250, and the board is aghast. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.