3 realistic 2023 NFL Draft day one prospects for NFC East teams
Washington Commanders 16th Pick Options
1. Hendon Hooker
The Commanders are a good football team with weapons on the offensive side of the football and a tough defense to boot. The one thing they are missing is a quarterback that can lead them out of the NFC East cellar and Hooker might very well be that guy. The Commanders lost Heinicke and released Carson Wentz but did bring in Jacoby Brissett and have Sam Howell on the roster, players who can hold the spot for the season until Hooker is ready to come in and play. If it weren’t for his injury Hooker be going a lot higher in the draft, but he does have some parts of his game that he needs to work on. His landing here would be a good fit for both sides, Hooker gets time to develop and the Commanders get themselves a potential franchise quarterback.
"I don't feel like there has been enough talk about Hendon Hooker.. he's big, accurate and can move around" ~ @MoveTheSticks#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/IkpuzWRgzM
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 28, 2023
2. Trenton Simpson
The Commanders already have a game-wrecker on their defensive line in Chase Young but they need help at linebacker and if Simpson is on the board they would be able to add another physical freak of nature to go with Young. Simpson’s ability to play off the ball and pass rush would give the Commanders a scary pass rush with Young and Montez Sweat. He’s a bit undersized as a linebacker but with Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen in front of him, he would be able to stay clean and make plays on the football. This would seem like a perfect situation for Simpson to excel very quickly for the Commanders.
3. Devon Witherspoon
If there is one weakness in this Commanders’ defense it’s at the cornerback position, thankfully they have a mid-first-round draft pick that will allow them to take one of the better cornerbacks in his draft class. Witherspoon is seen by many as an NFL-ready cornerback that can come in and immediately help a defense thanks to his ability to mirror receivers along with his speed. The Commanders adding him would make things a lot tougher for the rest of the NFC East teams and give that talented defensive front more time to get after the quarterback and make a play.