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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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Bryan Manning

Commanders address needs on offense and defense in new 2-round mock draft

The Washington Commanders have four games remaining in the 2022 NFL season. But unlike many recent seasons, the Commanders are playing meaningful December football. At 7-5-1, Washington holds the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture and controls its destiny for the remainder of the season.

So this December isn’t about which quarterback Washington will pursue in the next draft. Well, the quarterback talk never ends, but fans are more focused on the team right now, not potential draft picks.

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Luke Easterling of Draft Wire recently completed a two-round mock draft ahead of bowl season. Easterling’s new mock gives the Commanders help at cornerback and the offensive line. Both are needs heading into the offseason.

At No. 18, Easterling has Washington selecting South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith:

This secondary needs a true shutdown artist to take over the No. 1 corner spot, and this gives Washington the perfect chance to do just that. Smith has the size, athleticism, physicality and ball skills to be that kind of player at the next level.

With their second-round pick, Draft Wire gives the Commanders an offensive tackle in Blake Freeland of BYU. Freeland, at 6-foot-8, 305 pounds, is a massive four-year starter for the Cougars. If Washington selected him, he would almost immediately become the starting right tackle, with Sam Cosmi kicking inside to guard.

As for Smith, he’d give the Commanders a potentially outstanding secondary. Benjamin St-Juste has had a breakout season, while veteran Kendall Fuller, still young at 27, is having a fantastic season.

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