When the Washington Commanders made a pair of trades during training camp, sending former first-round pick Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles and defensive tackle John Ridgeway to the New Orleans Saints, general manager Adam Peters had built some excellent capital for the 2025 NFL draft.
However, subsequent trades for cornerback Marshon Lattimore, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel have left the Commanders with only five picks in next month’s draft.
So, where does Washington rank among NFL teams by draft pick value?
CBS Sports recently ranked all 32 teams, with the Commanders landing in the bottom tier — No. 31 overall — ahead of only the Minnesota Vikings. Washington’s picks were valued at 283.26 points, while Minnesota’s were valued at 256.96.
Washington has just five picks in this year’s draft after picking six times in the top 100 overall in 2024. They have retained the rights to each of their first two selections but traded their third and fourth round picks in exchange for Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Peters hasn’t changed his strategy of building through the draft. That’s still how he will build the Commanders. However, in trying to surround quarterback Jayden Daniels with as much talent as possible while on his rookie contract, Peters has used different methods to build Washington’s roster.
Washington received three former Pro Bowl players back in each of the three trades. Only Tunsil is currently 30 or older, and he’s playing at a higher level than Samuel and Lattimore. Samuel and Lattimore both have some injury questions. Lattimore struggled with a hamstring injury after coming over via trade, missing several games and struggling in others. The Commanders hope a healthy offseason helps him return to his previous form.
Also, in the trades for Lattimore and Tunsil, the Commanders have two more seasons of team control. Whereas Samuel is only under contract for 2025, but Washington also only gave up a fifth-round pick for his services.
Peters would love to add more picks, and there are ways to make it happen once the draft begins next month. The Commanders are prime candidates to move out of the first round to recoup some additional capital for teams interested in moving back into the first round to gain the fifth-year option.
