The Washington Commanders are done with Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft and their latest addition is Oregon Ducks tackle Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall.

Now, they have their eye on Day 2, where there are plenty of good players left to help fortify the roster. The following list contains said players that are likely to be there when the Commanders pick at 61 and remember, they are currently without a pick in Round 3.

Sure, I'd love to put Donovan Ezeiruaku on the list, but he's likely to go in the first several picks on Friday, so there's no point including him. It also works in the reverse: If a player is more likely to be selected in the fourth round or lower, then they won't be on the list. Trade ups and trade backs are always a possibility, but this is specifically referring to pick No. 61 since that's all we currently have.

So, with that being said, let's take a look at some targets for Adam Peters and Co. as we head into Day 2.

---

Quarterback

N/A: For obvious reasons, the Commanders aren't taking a quarterback on Day 2. Jayden Daniels is obviously the future and the team loves what Marcus Mariota provides. There's also the recent Josh Johnson addition to take into consideration. This could happen late on Day 3 or in the UDFA cycle, but it's not happening on Friday.

---

Running back

The Commanders appear to be set after returning all four effective backs from last year, but it would make a little sense for them to bring in a guy who can be more of a long term option since all four guys are in the last year of their respective deals.

• Oregon RB Jordan James: The Commanders don't have a third round pick, which is where James is projected to land. So, it'd be a bit of a reach to take him in Round 2, but at the same time, it wouldn't be too much of a reach. James has really good vision and works well in tight spaces, which goes great with his physical running style. Pass protection isn't an issue with him, but he could stand to improve his hands. He's not an explosive runner, but his vision and power/balance allow him to make the first man miss a lot, which often leads to solid gains on a consistent basis.

---

Wide receiver

The Commanders could really use some height in the receiver room, as no starter is over 6-foot-2, but Kliff Kingsbury has never really utilized tall receivers during his time in the NFL. A.J. Green played a couple of seasons for him at 6-foot-4 and Larry Fitzgerald is 6-foot-3, but those two guys are the lone exceptions and they still only played two seasons each with Kingsbury.

Another layer gets added when considering the fact that Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel Jr., and Noah Brown are set to become free agents in 2026. The team should extend McLaurin at some point this year, but Samuel and Brown aren't guaranteed to return in 2026, right now. Therefore, a receiver at 61 does make sense if it's the right guy.

• Utah State WR Jalen Royals: His game has a lot of similarities to Samuel's, except Royals can become a true three-level threat at the NFL level. That's not a knock on Samuel, at all, either. Royals has just shown more potential when it comes to tracking the ball downfield and his basketball background gives him a better opportunity to possess a more diverse route tree.
  
  He's a shifty player who can make guys miss in the open field and he plays physical at 6-foot-1, 205-pounds. Even if Samuel has a great year and gets extended, Royals can help give the Commanders an elite trio (or duo with McLaurin and no Samuel) at wideout for the next few years.

---

---

Tight end

N/A: This is a deep and talented class, but I honestly don't see the Commanders dipping into the tight end category on Day 2, especially when considering they re-signed Zach Ertz and John Bates to one- and three-year deals, respectively. They also drafted Ben Sinnott in Round 2 of last year's draft. Right now, with only a second-round pick on Friday, I don't think this is a position they'll look at.

---

Tackle

N/A: There's zero chance the Commanders take a tackle after drafting Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 overall. Plain and simple.

---

Guard

N/A: I would've initially had something here for guard, but there's a good chance Brandon Coleman moves inside after the Conerly Jr. selection. We'll have to wait and see what the plan is, there, before listing this as a Day 2 need.

---

Defensive line

N/A: I'm grouping defensive tackle and defensive end into one category because there are several guys in this draft that can play along the front four (or three) and Dan Quinn loves versatility up front. This isn't a position like the one Dante Fowler Jr. played last year. 

Heading into Day 2, it's hard to pick a guy that would fit the bill at 61. There's certainly a chance the Commanders trade back to a certain point and take a guy like Nebraska's Ty Robinson, but that obviously remains to be seen as we await the start of Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday evening.

---

Outside linebacker/pass rusher

I don't really know what to call Fowler's position, so we'll just label it as outside linebacker/pass rusher. Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. love to dial up different pass rush looks and Fowler helped maximize the package last year. Finding a guy like him should be the top priority on Day 2 if situations fall in the favor of this specific context. 

• UCLA EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo: The Commanders have shown solid interest in Oladejo and it makes sense considering the potential he showed in 2024 after moving from a MIKE linebacker role to a full-time stand-up pass rushing role.

• Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen: In terms of an inside/outside pass rusher – Umanmielen fits the bill. He led the Gators in sacks two years in a row while playing with his hand in the dirt and then led the Rebels in sacks last year while mostly playing from a two-point stance. He even dropped into coverage at times in the Ole Miss defense.
  Power/strength isn't his game, however, that can be installed over time. With the moves the Commanders made over the offseason, they don't need that from him right now, either. He can rotate in on obvious passing downs and add some juice to the pass rush while he continues to develop. 

---

---

Linebacker

N/A: You could maybe make a case for linebacker, here, but it's hard to justify a Round 2 pick. The team likes Jordan Magee and if he can stay healthy he has the potential to provide good depth. Quinn and Co. also moved Dominique Hampton from safety to linebacker last year. With Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu on the field for essentially 100% of the snaps, it's safe to bet the Commanders are fine with the linebacker room, right now.

---

Cornerback

Marshon Lattimore's up-and-down back half of the season leaves question at the position. Right now, Mike Sainristil is the only viable long-term option. Drafting a corner on Day 2 not only gives the Commanders good depth, it gives them a viable plan in case Lattimore doesn't break out of the last year's funk. 

• Iowa State CB Darien Porter Jr.: This pick makes a lot of sense as Porter Jr. is a converted wide receiver, like Sainristil, and he tested incredibly well in the three-cone and short shuttle, which are two measureables Peters takes seriously. He also has the size, length, speed, and ball skills that Quinn seeks out in his cornerbacks.
  At the same time, he's still raw when it comes to the cornerback position and he turned 24 back in January. At the same time, he'd be entering a situation where he has the time to grow and further develop his cornerback skills. He'd be well worth the project and is almost guaranteed to be there at 61.

• California CB Nohl Williams: The Commanders need to step it up when it comes to interceptions and adding a ballhawk like Williams would be a good move to ensure they get better. He picked off an FBS-leading seven passes last year and finished his four-year career with 14 in all. His awareness and ball skills make up for his lack of top-end speed and there's a world where he could move to safety in the future.
  He can also return kicks. Williams would be a very intriguing addition on Day 2.

---

Safety

N/A: Safety is an interesting position on Day 2 because the Commanders like to deploy three-safety sets. Will Harris replaced Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin and Percy Butler are still on the team. That gives the Commanders their three guys, with Tyler Owens and Jeremy Reaves still in the mix. 

Though they could probably add one more guy, that likely makes the Commanders feel safe enough to where they skip the safety position unless a gem falls to them or they really want to trade up.

---