C+
Washington Commanders
The Commanders won the night they stopped Thornton Jr. from sliding. Grade: C+.
by Kevin Roll ·
2025 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 4 steals
· 0 reaches
The best pick of the weekend was also the simplest. The Commanders watched Dont'e Thornton Jr. slide 65 picks past his grade and did not hesitate.
If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through edge rusher. They are betting the present roster is worth a lighter draft next spring. A small leak at the table, if not a fatal one.
The offense got the lion's share of the attention.
It grades out a shrug today, with plenty of room to move either way.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 12 they get an anchor for the offensive line. The biggest hole, addressed.
They did well to land Isaiah Bond in the Round 2 slot, just ahead of his grade. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Mason Taylor at pick No. 79 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A tidy bit of business in No. 148, where Cody Simon graded well above the range. A minor need, but a need all the same.
The board fumbled Cobee Bryant all the way to slot 207, and they scooped it up. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Ollie Gordon II in the 238th pick is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
You do not let a wide receiver like Dont'e Thornton Jr. reach the 250th overall pick and blink. They did not. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.