Commanders Draft Rounds 1-3: First Reaction

In the first three rounds of the NFL Draft 2023, the Washington Commanders double-dipped with backfield selections in the first and second.

They then proceeded to take a Centre (with the flexibility to also play Guard) in round three.

Welcome to D.C then: Emmanuel Forbes (CB Mississippi State), Jartavius Martin (DB Illinois) and Ricky Stromberg (C Arkansas).

Here at UKHTTR, Christian Burt offers up some initial reaction thoughts on the picks.

Playmaking ability

The Commanders additions in free agency meant a bigger board for the team to pick who they felt represented the best value/player available, rather than just drafting for need.

In Emmanuel Forbes the reason for the pick at #16 was relatively straightforward. Washington did not have what you might describe as an outstanding CB1 on the roster.

That isn’t a major sleight on the current CB incumbents Kendall Fuller (an experienced savvy veteran but at best a CB2 or even CB2/3 on a properly good team) nor Benjamin St Juste (great size and potential but has landed on IR in both his rookie season and again in 2022).

Emmanuel has been an INT machine in College Football and plays with a swagger that belies his rather slender frame. When aligned a front four DL that the Commanders will rely on to generate heat for any opposition QB, there are opportunities to be had for a speedy and instinctive ballhawk like Forbes.

Why the double-dip with the selection of Jartavius Martin?

Chris Sims had Martin as his favourite Safety in the draft.

Washington, it would seem, were faithful to their board rather than reacting to what might unexpectedly land in their lap.

Jartavius was part of a well-coached, physical, and smart backfield at Illinois and Washington have likely landed a starter to slot into the Bobby McCain role who departed in free agency.

There are rounds 4-7 to go, but who on the roster might be a cut candidate?

Despite the selection of two DBs in the first two rounds, I do not believe that Washington will sever ties with Fuller. It might be very tempting given Kendall has a salary of $11,000,000 and, if cut, a saving of $8,500,000.

The unit, however, needs a veteran presence and I would suggest that a restructure would make sense (he is only 28 and performs well down the stretch).

The most obvious cut candidate is Chase Roullier.

The Commanders already have Nick Gates in the building, who was a starter for the Giants at Centre. When adding in the Ricky Stromberg selection, it is a solid prediction that Roullier (saving $10,160,000) will be a cap casualty and be plying his trade elsewhere in 2023.

Washington did not (yet) take a TE in the 2023 draft, and I would expect Logan Thomas to remain in burgundy and gold for a hopefully healthier season.