Sunday Pint & a Blog III

The first round of the NFL Draft 2023 is looming.

On the 27th of April, the Commanders attempt to take another step forward by adding to a roster that can challenge in the post season.

There remain gaps on both sides of the ball, with the OL, CB, and LB units in need of quality reinforcements.

Unless there is a too good to miss opportunity, most fans, and commentators alike, would expect a week one OL or CB starter to be on the Washington radar at pick #16.

Here at UKHTTC, we welcome back regular contributors Tony Wheat (Full Press Commanders) and Simon Thurston.

They join UKHTTC founder, Christian Burt, in pondering three questions:

• Who would you take at Pick 16?

• Who is TOO GOOD to not take if they fall to 16?

• Whose name will the Commanders actually turn-in on 27th April?

First up, Tony.

Who would you take at 16?

If he is still there at 16, I’d take Peter Skoronski.

It’s unlikely he makes it to 16, but doubts about him because of his short arms may drop him down a bit if teams think he’s going to be a guard rather than a tackle.

I’d be more than happy to take the risk and see if he can cut it at tackle. If not, he’s likely to be a high-class guard and we certainly need one of those.

Brandon Scherff was a tackle in college who was selected by Washington at number 5 overall, and moved to guard, and something similar would potentially make sense for Skoronski.

Who is too good to not take if they fall?

I know Rivera seems set on Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett, but what if by some chance one of the big 4 QB’s drops to 16?

Could they possibly decide to take Will Levis out of Kentucky for example if he drops that far? I wouldn’t, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

Bijan Robinson may well still be there and he’s insanely good but again, I can’t see them taking him with Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson already on the Commanders roster.

Whose name will the Commanders actually turn-in on 27th April?

I suspect that if the top corners and tackles are gone by 16, they might trade back and end up with someone like OG O'Cyrus Torrence.

There’s so much depth at corner that I’d definitely be looking at either a tackle at 16 like Skoronski, Paris Johnson or Darnell Wright or a trade back for a guard like Torrence.

Next up, Simon.

Who would you take?

Those who've read my ramblings on here before will know I'm a proponent of, regardless of the situation, taking the Best Player Available (BPA).

Now, clearly, it's not necessarily as black-and-white as taking the BPA, no matter what their playing position. But I'm in no way a fan of reaching specifically for need. With Cornerback, Linebacker and OT still areas for improvement, I'm intrigued by CB Joey Porter Jr.

Blessed with bags of talent, the Penn State product could form a solid tandem with Benjamin St-Juste.

This would allow Kendall Fuller, who improved markedly in 2022 compared to 2021, to go inside and play more in the slot.

He's a competitive player and is physical at the point of the catch. On the flip side, he only notched one interception in four seasons and scouts have commented on his open field tackling, which needs to improve.

Another question mark on Porter: his technique for the Commanders' scheme. But for me, the rewards outweigh the risks. And he'd be an instant upgrade in an already solid young secondary.

Who is too good to not take if they fall?

When it comes to this year's crop of college talent, I'm seeing plenty of noise surrounding Texas running back Bijan Robinson.

This move would not only give Washington a one-two punch of B. Robinsons in the run game (which has a nice ring to it), but also fill the void left by JD McKissic, a talented pass-catching back who's past 2 years were sadly blighted by injuries.

Equally, there are still question marks over Antonio Gibson, making the RB position a compelling quandary for Head Coach Ron Rivera.

Bijan Robinson rushed for 3,410 yards at an average of 6.7 yards per carry in his three years with the Longhorns. Possessing exceptional speed, he's a three-down back with talent and moves to die for.

He also packs a punch in the power department too, allowing him to break tackles with regularity. He'd certainly add some explosiveness to the Washington backfield.

Whose name will the Commanders actually turn-in on 27th April?

I've got a suspicion they may opt to enhance the protection to their QB room of Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett, by adding an elite piece to their offensive line. And one such option could be 6' 4" 320lbs Georgia Bulldogs' offensive tackle, Broderick Jones.

Off the back of a standout final season and with a national champions' ring to his name, Jones has the athleticism, length and strength required to enjoy a long career on an NFL team's offensive line. And I'd actually be very happy should the Commanders opt to go in this direction.

Well, with the draft happening later this month, we'll find out soon enough what Commanders decide to do.

And finally, UKHTTC founder Christian Burt.

Who would you take at 16?

Washington has solidified the interior DL for at least the next three seasons with the contracts of Jon Allen and Daron Payne.

On the outside, there are question marks about Chase Young post-injury and also whether to reward the athleticism and QB pressure talent of Montez Sweat. My take: you can never have too many effective guys on the edge and Washington should start to plan for life without at least one of Sweat or Young going forward.

If available, I would run like Carl Lewis to turn in my card for the three-year starter out of Clemson, Myles Murphy. With Murphy likely gone, it would be a risker move for say Lukas Van Ness from Iowa, but one I would also be willing to take.

Who is too good to not take if they fall?

For me, ‘too good not to take’ equates to a skill position player or a unit where the Commanders are already strong. As mentioned above, DE Myles Murphy would fit into that category 100% and be a true best player available at 16.

I think we can rule out WR, as the 2023 draft class is less stacked than 2022, and with McLaurin, Dotson, and Samuel all guys you feel that Eric Bieniemy will love to work with, there simply will not be enough footballs to be spread around for a first-round receiver.

If RB Bijan Robinson or even QB Anthony Richardson are still there at 16, and Assistant HC Eric Bieniemy bangs the table, well, that could be a very interesting selection decision for Washington.

On paper, neither are needed as such, but at least half the NFL will fall in love with the Richardson ceiling potential, and Bijan would give the Commanders a real superstar out the backfield.

Whose name will the Commanders actually turn-in on 27th April?

We are heading towards new ownership in D.C.

However, the front office of HC Rivera, Martin Mayhew and Marty Hurney are an experienced trio leading into this draft and are a settled group despite the incoming changes.

I am 100% convinced that the Washington big board will be thorough and have real depth and planning, despite the obvious forecasting that ‘new owner usually result in a clean sweep’ of the current incumbents.

They’ll want more picks to boost the CB (it is said to be a deep class) and LB units from round two onwards. The emphasis will, in my opinion, be on keeping either Brissett or Howell comfortable in the pocket.

Unless someone like Broderick Jones is still there at 16, Washington could well seek a willing trade partner in say the Ravens if Baltimore are all in for WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 16.

The Commanders would swap to 22, get additional picks in rounds three and four, and proceed to select either Tackle Anton Harrison from Oklahoma or Guard O'Cyrus Torrence at 22. All in all, a similar trade down strategy as in 2022 but this time an OL guy for the burgundy and gold.