ESPN’s 2025 NFL redraft shows if Commanders made right choice with first round pick, or a massive mistake
The Commanders made the right choice by taking OT Josh Conerly Jr. with their first-round pick in 2025 after ESPN’s redraft had him going No. 16 overall.
The 2025 season was a nightmare for the Washington Commanders, but there were some positives to look back on as we head into 2026.
The Commanders saw a handful of rookies contribute as a starter or as a key rotational piece on the team as the season went on. Looking back, however, if the Commanders were on the clock at pick No. 29 again, would they still take Josh Conerly Jr?
ESPN’s NFL Nation did a 2025 NFL, and the Commanders landed a different prospect in the first round, but not for the reason you think.
OT Josh Conerly Jr. goes to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 16 overall in ESPN’s 2025 NFL redraft
At the time, fans had a handful of draft prospects on their list for the Commanders to take with the No. 29 overall pick in the draft, and offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. certainly wasn’t anywhere on those lists. Everyone was shocked by the selection after Washington drafted Brandon Coleman in the 2024 NFL Draft and traded a load of picks for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil in the offseason.
Conerly Jr. had a rough start to his rookie season after going through a gauntlet of top pass rushers, but he only got better as the season went on. He finished well enough to jump all the way up to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 16 overall in ESPN’s redraft of the 2025 draft.
“In theory, [Walter] Nolen was a pick that made sense. He was quick, powerful, and violent, and going into a veteran defensive line room that would mentor him. But injuries derailed his rookie season, and Arizona ended up needing help on the offensive line. [Josh] Conerly Jr. would have addressed that need, especially at right tackle. Adding him opposite Paris Johnson Jr. would have given Arizona a pair of bookend tackles to build around.” ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss wrote.
The Commanders’ new pick at No. 29 overall ended up being New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson, who has 968 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the season heading into the Super Bowl.
Josh Conerly Jr. was the right pick for the Commanders
Conerly Jr. started the season by allowing four sacks and 11 pressures in his first two games, but soon bounced back and ended the season strong. Being thrown into the fire against Brian Burns, Micah Parsons, and Maxx Crosby quickly showed him how the NFL will be, and he adjusted.
He would go on to allow just four sacks in the last 15 games, and he played every single offensive snap this season. Conerly Jr. showed that he can move well in space, and he can be a sure starter at offensive tackle if he continues to build his core strength up this offseason while working with Tunsil.
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