NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
With the draft less than a month away, many have shifted their focus away from free agency. The Commanders main discussions have revolved around which QB they are taking at 2. OT is another big focal point. However, I believe there are two underlying needs that Peters could look to fill in this year’s draft.
I also listed some potential targets if these areas are addressed.
RB with speed
I am a firm believer in having a balanced backfield. A complete/balanced backfield to me consists of:
- Power back that can consistently pick up 2-3 yards minimum and seldomly gets stood up in short yardage situations
- Receiving back that doesn’t just have reliable hands, but can consistently get open and do damage after the catch
- Speed back/home run hitter that rarely gets caught when they get past the defense
While Washington’s current backfield of Robinson, Ekeler, and Rodriguez possess two of these three elements, they are severely lacking in the speed department. Here are the three RBs 40 times:
- Robinson: 4.53
- Rodriguez: 4.52
- Ekeler: 4.48
At 29 and coming off an injury, I doubt Ekeler is close to a 4.48 anymore, meaning the backfield doesn’t have a single RB that runs under a 4.5. This is not an area I expect to be addressed early in the draft (if addressed at all). If they do, I imagine it wouldn’t be until middle or late in the 3rd at the earliest.
If they are looking for more speed in the backfield, here are some options.
Isaac Guerendo (4.33 forty time)
Guerendo turned heads at the combine when he ran a blazing 4.33 forty. The next closest was Jaylen Wright who ran a 4.38. What makes Guerendo’s 40 time even more impressive is that he weighs 221 lbs. You don’t see many RBs at that weight possess that level of speed. It isn’t just speed either. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.98 out of 10 ranked 5th best among 1,765 RBs since 1987.
ISAAC. GUERENDO. HOUSE. CALL.
pic.twitter.com/dYULWN9OWn— Barstool Louisville (@BarstoolCards) November 10, 2023
At Louisville in 2023, Guerendo ran for 810 yards on 132 attempts (6.1 yds/att) and 11 TDs. He also posted an elusive rating of 106.8. His 4.11 yards after contact average ranked in the 90th percentile among RBs with 100+ carries.
MarShawn Lloyd (4.46 forty time)
Lloyd might not have the straight-line speed of Guerendo, but he is extremely explosive. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2023 on 115 attempts. His staggering 177 elusive rating is the highest in the draft and ranked 3rd highest among all RBs in the country.
What team would you like to see #USC RB MarShawn Lloyd get drafted by? pic.twitter.com/D8IAuLUTE8
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) March 22, 2024
Lloyd is projected to be a 3rd rounder, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he snuck into the 2nd round. If he does fall into the 3rd, Washington wouldn’t just be adding a RB with speed, but a RB that could end up being the long-term starter.
Kimani Vidal (4.46 forty time)
Vidal is a projected 6th rounder. He has been a workhorse for Troy for the past two seasons, carrying the ball 526 times. In 2023, he rushed for 1,661 yards and 14 TDs. He forced the 2nd most missed tackles in the nation with 94 and posted a 93.2 rushing grade.
WATCH: Troy RB Kimani Vidal (@kimanividal) hit a max speed of 21.3 mph on this 69-yard touchdown. #ReelAnalytics @CFBTalkDaily @CoachCraddock
🎥: @SunBeltFB
🔗 https://t.co/orrD059ykP pic.twitter.com/BNJUAPWM96
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) October 11, 2023
Funny enough, watching Vidal is like watching a younger Ekeler with their size and movements. Both are undersized (Vidal only being 5’8) but aren’t afraid of contact and are very shifty.
Future TE1
Ok, so maybe this isn’t technically an “underlying” need in Washington, as many view it as a fairly significant need. However, I am unsure of how and when Peters will want to attack this position, and that’s why I want to discuss it.
They signed Zach Ertz to a one-year deal to be TE1 since he is familiar with Kingbury’s offense. At age 33, he is obviously not the long-term solution, so who is? Does the front office want to answer that question in this draft or wait until next year? Maybe they like Cole Turner, who was criminally underused by the last regime.
If they do address TE in this year’s draft, here are some potential targets.
Ja’Tavion Sanders
If the Commanders want to target a TE in the 2nd round, Sanders is the obvious choice. He has back-to-back seasons with 45+ catches and 600+ yards. Even more impressive is that he didn’t drop a single pass on 67 targets in 2023.
Ja'Tavion Sanders is a fun H-back/big slot who brings speed and a solid frame to the middle of the field, where he does a nice job making himself friendly vs zone
Best traits are his ball skills and tougness to make catches in traffic, and he shows good effort as a blocker https://t.co/0DbDOA8KhM pic.twitter.com/r0cqH36Pfn
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) March 22, 2024
Like most TEs in today’s game, he struggles in the blocking department. However, in the passing game, he can be a threat very early in his NFL career.
Ben Sinnott
Sinnott is certainly the fan favorite in Washington, and for good reason. Sinnott is one of the most athletic TEs you will find. He scored a 9.72 RAS out of 10 which ranked 33rd best out of 1141 TEs. He finished the 2023 season hauling in 48 receptions for 669 yards and 6 TDs while posting a receiving grade of 81.
Ben Sinnott is a TE prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.72 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 33 out of 1141 TE from 1987 to 2024.https://t.co/pHPbq2TTru pic.twitter.com/G3nB18T7Se
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 28, 2024
He is currently projected to be a day 3 pick. However, his draft stock has been on the rise and many expect him to be taken on day 2.
Dallin Holker
Some may prefer a different TE here, but Holker is my sleeper TE. Holker spent 3 seasons at BYU where he generated little production. In three years he only managed 41 receptions for 523 yards and 3 TDs. Holker transferred to Colorado St in 2023, where he took off. He hauled in 64 receptions (1st) for 766 yards (1st) and 6 TDs.
Dallin Holker had 700+ yards and 109 targets in his final season at Colorado State
He posted a 2.7% drop rate demonstrating how elite his hands are
He’ll be free during/post rookie drafts on the waivers, don’t forget the name 📈#NFLDraft2024pic.twitter.com/Q1ZOTVTAU8
— Snoog’s Dynasty Society (@FFSnoog) March 25, 2024
His best trait is being able to make the tough catches. Lance Zierlein likes Holker’s long arms, big hands, and body control which allows him to make these catches despite having a defender draped all over him. Due to being undersized and only being a good but not great athlete, Holker is projected to be a day-three pick. If Peters is willing to take a swing at a TE in round 5 or 6, I would be thrilled if it were Holker.
