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The Washington Commanders had only five picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Trades for cornerback Marshon Lattimore and left tackle Laremy Tunsil cost the Commanders valuable draft capital. So, for general manager Adam Peters, he would need to make each pick count.
Peters had the opportunity to trade back and add more picks, but chose to stay at No. 29 and select former Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. After trading for Tunsil, Washington would have bookend tackles to protect franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels.
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The 2025 season didn't go as planned for the Commanders. Coming off a 12-5 season and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game, Washington sits at 4-12 heading into Sunday's regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.
What does Washington head coach Dan Quinn think of the 2025 rookie class? As he met with the media on Monday, Quinn was asked if any of the Commanders' rookies surprised him in any way. He proceeded to break down four of Washington's five draft picks, accidentally omitting sixth-round linebacker Kain Medrano.
Here's his breakdown on the Commanders' class:
T Josh Conerly Jr
I thought he's gained a lot of experience. He's been a better run blocker than I thought. Even coming out of Oregon, I knew he'd have the athleticism to pass protect because he could change direction. But if you look at like the long reverse play to [WR] Deebo [Samuel Sr.] or the combination run on the one to Bill, he was right in the middle of some of these key blocks. I think that's something that will continue to get better as it goes. So, with more strength and experience and size.
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CB Trey Amos
Trey, I would say, exceeded my expectations in some regards just by his ability to compete right from the very beginning. Patience at the line of scrimmage, always in control and I thought you could really tell he really put a lot of work in to earn the starting job.
WR Jaylin Lane
I thought with Jaylin, I thought coming in I knew the return skills were going to be good, but I thought quite honestly, after being with him every day and watching him catch punts, I thought they were exceptional. His ability to track it, his ability to make somebody miss, and so in a season on punt returns, you don't get 50 chances at returns generally. The punters who are good can angle and directed to go, but I thought he had really shown real moxie as a returner, this is not the easiest place, outdoors and wind and everything that goes with the punt returns. So, he's been somebody that's impressed.
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Bill has, right from the beginning, there was always a moment or two in training camp early on the cut, the explosiveness. And so, to see a 70-yard run, that just doesn't happen very often in our league. And so, it showed the speed that he's capable of. So, certainly pleased with that.
While it hasn't been the year Washington envisioned, the Commanders should be excited about their draft class. While Medrano hasn't played on defense, he looks like a core special teams player for years to come. Amos and Conerly look like long-term starters, while Lane and Croskey-Merritt have the potential to develop into core players. For some of the criticism levied at Peters this season, he did well with this second draft class.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn evaluates 2025 rookie class
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