The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone. Where did the Washington Commanders make their picks, and what draft capital did they possess?
Want to see how the Commanders graded out during the 2023 NFL Draft? Then come check out our full Washington Commanders draft grades. You can also see the entire 2023 NFL Draft results.
Washington Commanders Draft Picks by Round in 2023
- Round 1 | Pick 16
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State - Round 2 | Pick 47
Jartavius Martin, S, Illinois - Round 3 | Pick 97*
Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas - Round 4, Pick 118
Braeden Daniels, OL, Utah - Round 5, Pick 137
K.J. Henry, Edge, Clemson - Round 6, Pick 193
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Kentucky - Round 7, Pick 233
Andre Jones, EDGE, Louisiana
*Compensatory selection
How Many Draft Picks Did the Commanders Have in the 2023 NFL Draft?
As the Commanders looked to fortify their roster after three consecutive seasons of eight or fewer wins, they added seven new selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. All picks were their own except for their third-round choice that was sent to Indianapolis as part of the Carson Wentz trade. They did, however, have a compensatory pick in Round 3, giving Washington a pick in each of the seven rounds.
MORE: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
General manager Martin Mayhew and head coach Ron Rivera are facing a potential make-or-break campaign in 2023, especially with new ownership in town. Washington did not add a quarterback during the three-day process, showing a commitment to a Sam Howell/Jacoby Brissett competition. The Commanders instead chose to use their first two picks to help their DB depth.
Who Did the Commanders Draft in 2023?
It’s still a bit hard to believe that Emmanuel Forbes was drafted before Christian Gonzales. However, it’s not because of anything that we did or did not see from Forbes on tape. It was simply surprising to see a 166-pound cornerback so highly regarded. He should immediately help a secondary that could be part of a top-five defense in 2023.
If it wasn’t clear by the Forbes selection, it was crystal clear when the Commanders selected Jartavius “Quan” Martin in the second round. Martin provides the Washington defense with versatility as someone with experience in the slot and on the back end.
MORE: History of Washington Commanders First-Round NFL Draft Picks
There weren’t many teams in the NFL that needed help at center, but the Commanders were one of them. Ricky Stromberg may not be a Day 1 starter, but the team will hope it doesn’t take too long because Nick Gates is a better depth piece than a full-time starter.
Braeden Daniels will have to prove that he has the functional strength necessary to play at the NFL level, but his athleticism got him drafted in the fourth round. He’s incredibly athletic, with his greatest downside being the lack of size.
Former five-star recruits often get opportunities that others would not. Pedigree is important to some decision-makers, whether it should be or not. K.J. Henry doesn’t have the entire athletic profile the Commanders covet, but they do covet elite speed, and his 1.57 10-yard split certainly fits their bill.