Adam Peters selected five players in the 2025 NFL draft. Commanders selections were lower in each round as a byproduct of the previous season’s trip to the NFC championship game.
Washington’s general manager came away with quality despite that fact, adding players capable of making an instant impact. That happened well beyond No. 29 overall pick Josh Conerly Jr., an offensive tackle out of Oregon.
The Commanders got 511 defensive snaps and eight starts from second-round cornerback Trey Amos before
a broken fibula cut his rookie season short.
Seventh-round running back Bill Croskey-Merritt was a surprise contributor considering his low draft selection, turning in 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries, good for an efficient 4.6 yards per carry.
Those constitute solid starts for all three guys, with plenty of room for Year 2 improvement. That prompted us to ponder which 2025 Commanders draft pick will make the biggest impact on the 2026 campaign.
Let’s review the entire draft class and then discuss which guy might put his stamp on this upcoming season.
- OT Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon), No. 29 overall: 17 starts, 1,054 offensive snaps, 95.5 pass-blocking efficiency rate
- CB Trey Amos (Mississippi), No. 61 overall: 10 games (8 starts), 511 defensive snaps, 32 tackles, six passes defensed, 108 passer rating allowed when targeted
- WR Jaylin Lane (Virginia Tech), No. 128 overall: 15 games (4 starts), 348 offensive snaps, 16 receptions for 225 yards
- LB Kain Medrano (UCLA), No. 205 overall: Nine games, 0 defensive snaps, 133 special teams snaps
- RB Bill Croskey-Merritt (Arizona), No. 245 overall: 17 games, seven starts, 406 offensive snaps, 175 carries, 805 rushing yards, eight touchdowns
After watching last season and looking at the numbers above, it’s okay to eliminate Lain and Medrano from consideration. That’s fine and fair, considering they were Day 3 selections and those picks are primarily used for depth.
We can make a case for the other three. Let’s examine those options in greater detail:
OT Josh Conerly Jr.
The Oregon product’s first NFL game doubled as his first NFL start. He rattled off 17 straight during a solid, though sometimes rocky, rookie campaign that suggested even better’s yet to come. There were some rough moments early on, as you’d expect when playing NFL right tackle after working on the left in college, but he showed improvement and flashed real quality that provides hope for a bright future.
While his position won’t provide numbers to back it up, Conerly being steady on the right flank as a pass protector and an athletic run blocker, especially with Laremy Tunsil on the other side, could make the entire offense better.
CB Trey Amos
The second-round pick had his season cut short by a broken fibula, but there were signs that Amos can be a really good player when healthy. He’s athletic and engaged as a cover corner and proved as a rookie that the NFL game (and game speed) wasn’t too much for him. He broke up nearly 18% of his targets, an impressive stat for someone so young.
He should fit Daronte Jones’ new scheme well, assuming, as we all do, that it’ll be based (roughly at least) on what he and Brian Flores ran in Minnesota.
Amos said on Instagram that his leg was healing well. If he returns for camp ready to go and can build on last year’s positivity, there’s potential for a real standout season working on a revamped defense.
RB Bill Croskey-Merritt
Expectations for seventh-round picks are generally low. That’s fair considering how many were selected above them. Every now and then, a late-rounder breaks out. Count Croskey-Merritt in that class.
He averaged 4.6 yards per carry during his rookie campaign, with a smooth rushing style highlighted by excellent contact balance. His role obviously increased with Austin Ekeler was lost to a torn Achilles’ tendon in Week 2.
Croskey-Merritt took full advantage, showing explosiveness and dynamic play-making ability over the course of the season. The Commanders backfield is crowded, with Rachaad White signing in free agency and the Kaytron Allen draft pick. Croskey-Merritt will get opportunities from new coordinator David Blough and could well be the catalyst this Commanders offense needs to reach great heights.
Which 2025 NFL draft pick will have the biggest impact during his sophomore season? Let us know in the article comments and by voting in the poll below. (Full disclosure: I voted for Amos).
