The 2021 NFL season was a rough one with the Washington Commanders. The Commanders had to constantly battle with season ending injuries, with Chase Young, Montez Sweat, Ryan Fitzpatrick and a plethora of other players.
The Commanders finished 7-10, and third in the NFC East. Heading into the draft, Washington had six draft picks and a list of needs, as they look to rebound fand ultimately get the Ron Rivera era going forward entering year three.
16th pick: Jahan Dotson
During the draft the Commander traded back in the draft, sending the 11th pick to the New Orleans Saints, in exchange for the 16th, 98th and 120th overall picks. The trade triggered a lot of fans, considering who they could’ve pick with the 11th pick. Five picks later the Commanders took Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson
Dotson was the best available wideout at the time of the pick. In 2021, he had a breakout season last year with 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was second in the Big Ten in receptions
He also had the most targets without a drop in CFB season. His ability to locate the ball, and reel in catches can impact the Commanders pass offense. His route running can be improved, but has a great catch radius by all accounts.
Dotson’s best game came against Maryland, which was one of the worst pass defenses in the Big Ten. He picked up 242 receiving yards and three touchdowns, on 11 catches. His numbers were not as stout against the conference’s better pass defenses.
Can he translate his game against NFL-level talent? Can his route running improve primarily playing inside where he is projected to play the slot? Answering those questions will go a long way towards his success as a pro.
47th pick: Phidarian Mathis
Defensive tackle emerged as a position of need for the Commanders following the the release of the decision to cut Matt Ioannidis. Washington addressed the position in the second round with the 47th overall pick, selecting Alabama’s Phidarian Mathis.
In Washington, Mathis joins two fellow former Alabama defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.
Projections saw Mathis going later in the third or fourth rounds. However, the Commanders appeared to tay to their draft pboard, picking him in the second.
Mathis, himself, didn’t expect the selection, saying “It was crazy. Most definitely it wasn’t expected, especially not that early.” However, his agent has since refuted Mathis’ assumption.
In his senior year at Bama, Mathis had 53 tackles, including 10 for losses, 9.0 sacks, and a force fumble. Mathis was third in the SEC in sacks for the 2021 season.
Despite the sacks total, Mathis struggled at times with speed and explosiveness. However, his strength and ability to stop the run was superb.
In the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have solid offensive lines. The Commanders ranked eighth in run defense, and the loss of Ioannidis and Tim Settle, who signed with the Buffalo Bills, Mathis will need to be an immediate contributor to maintain Washington’s ability to slow the run.
113th pick: Percy Butler
The Commanders secondary struggled last season. It was a considerable drop off from the 2020 season . Washington allowed the fourth-most passing yards in 2021. While safety isn’t necessarily a need, Washington needed to replace Landon Collins as their Buffalo Nickel.
Coming into the draft Commanders fans were hoping to land Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with the first round pick. However, the Commanders passed on Hamilton, trading back to No. 16. Ultimately he was off the board when Washington came back up with the 16th pick.. Thus, they addressed the position with the 113th pick, selecting Louisiana defensive back Percy Butler.
Last season, Butler played in 13 out of 15 games for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. In those 13 games he had 60 tackles, six tackles for loss, four pass deflections and one interception.
Viewed more of a stud special teams player, Butler has areas of concern with tackling and pass coverage, particularly in man-to-man in space.Two attributes needed to play the Buffalo position.
Being overly aggressive and poor decision-making to going to the ball are also knocks. Yet, more development in coverage and improving his tackling technique could make him a steal down the road.
144th pick: Sam Howell:
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera previously said Washington would like to add a third quarterback. However, they weren’t looking for a quarterback of the stature of Sam Howell. The North Carolina QB fell right into their lap in the fifth round. .
Carson Wentz, who the team acquired in a trade, is cemented as the starter for at least next season. Last year’s struggling starter Taylor Heinicke appears to be locked as the backup. But, Howell will get the opportunity to develop and knock out whatever kinks that caused him to drop to the fifth round
Howell gives Washington a project QB in the room and maybe an insurance in a year or two in case Wentz
Last season at UNC, Howell threw 3,056 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games. Howell had a 62.5 completion percentage. He was fifth in passing yards in the ACC, and sixth in passing touchdowns.
He has mobility in and outside the pocket. Additionally, he can scramble outside the pocket, rushing for 828 yards (second among QB’s in the ACC)
Among his weaknesses is his height, lack of speed and his throwing motion is his throwing motion. His motion can lead to sailing passes that allow defenders to get over top of.
Still he has consistency of as a solid passer. He is considered one of the stronger arms in this year’s draft class. He’s an accurate passer with zip on his throws.
Despite being a fifth-rounder, he has a promising future in the NFL and hopefully with the Commanders. He’ll most likely sit his rookie season. But has upside and can put himself on the path of being at least the Commanders backup QB in 2023. While having eyes towards being a starter down the line.
