With the Commanders scheduled to go on the clock at No. 47 overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft Friday, you might wonder, “How many times has Washington drafted in the No. 47 position?”
Since the beginning of the Super Bowl era (1966 season) Washington has drafted in the No. 47 position just three times. Those three players were Phidarian Mathis (2022), Trent Murphy (2014) and Shane Collins (1992).
Feels so good to be back with the coterie😁
#🅿️Ⓜ️ pic.twitter.com/uwG6KTOvyy— Phidarian (Phil) Mathis 🅿️Ⓜ️ (@PhidarianMathis) April 19, 2023
Mathis, a 6-foot-4, 312-pound defensive tackle from Alabama was taken in round two by the Commanders last year. He thus was the second player drafted by the Commanders. He was drafted because Daron Payne was entering the last year of his contract. However, Payne ended up enjoying his best season by far and re-signed in March. Mathis, unfortunately, went down in his very first game against the Jaguars and was lost for the season with a bad knee injury.
Murphy, a Stanford 6-6, 260-pound defensive end was taken in the second round in the 2014 draft. Washington had Murphy playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme. His pass coverage was suspect, but Murphy did contribute as a pass rusher with 15 sacks and 42 QB Hits in his three seasons in Washington. Murphy was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2017 season due to PED use. In addition, he tore an ACL during a preseason game and was lost for all of the 2017 season. Signing as a free agent with the Bills, Murphy played his final three NFL seasons (2018-20) in Buffalo.
The defending Super Bowl Champion Redskins selected Collins in the second round of the 1992 draft. The 6-3, 267-pound defensive end out of Arizona State disappointed however, only starting ten games in his three NFL seasons. In three seasons he only played in 30 games, contributing one sack and one fumble recovery.
The No. 47 spot has not produced very much for Washington in their three opportunities. The Commanders really need to come through in this position Friday night in round two, finding a player who will have a huge impact for years to come in Washington.
