The search is over. The Commanders handed the keys to Caleb Williams, and the whole operation now runs on his development. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B.
If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through running back. That is a cornerback worth more than the slot they spent on him, plainly.
Wide receiver was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job. The offense got the lion's share of the attention.
Bottom line, more hits than misses and a roster nudged the right way.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.2
· Pick 2
· Caleb Williams
· QB
· rank 2
A market-rate quarterback, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Caleb Williams. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
R2.4
· Pick 36
· Graham Barton
· OT
· rank 33
They did well to land Graham Barton in the Round 2 slot, just ahead of his grade. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
R2.8
· Pick 40
· Adonai Mitchell
· WR
· rank 39
By-the-book stuff, Adonai Mitchell at pick 40 squarely in line with his ranking. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
R3.3
· Pick 67
· Kingsley Suamataia
· OT
· rank 58
Kingsley Suamataia in slot 67 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
R3.37
· Pick 100
· Tykee Smith
· S
· rank 96
Tykee Smith in pick No. 100 lands just on the right side of the ledger. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
R4.8
· Pick 108
· Gabriel Murphy
· DL-EDGE
· rank 113
No edge and no loss on Gabriel Murphy in the 108th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
R5.5
· Pick 141
· Jaheim Bell
· TE
· rank 137
A reasonable price with a little left over, Jaheim Bell in No. 141. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
R5.27
· Pick 163
· Darius Robinson
· DL-EDGE
· rank 156
Darius Robinson at the 163rd pick nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
R6.6
· Pick 181
· Justin Walley
· CB
· rank 171
They read the board right and Justin Walley was the payoff at pick 181. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
R7.10
· Pick 230
· BJ Mayes
· CB
· rank 217
BJ Mayes at Round 7, Pick 10 is money in the bank, a cornerback taken below his worth. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.