Since the fall, almost every mock draft had the Washington Commanders selecting a quarterback with their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Now that Washington has traded for Carson Wentz, mock drafts have become more interesting.
Todd McShay of ESPN released his first post-combine mock draft Wednesday and originally had the Commanders selecting Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett at No. 11 overall. However, after news of the Wentz trade broke, McShay adjusted his new mock draft.
Did he have the Commanders replacing guard Brandon Scherff, as Daniel Jeremiah did recently? Or does he give Wentz more help at wide receiver? Or, maybe, he finally gives the Commanders a legit inside linebacker?
At No. 11, McShay went with Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd.
Here’s what McShay said about Lloyd to Washington:
Well, the Commanders certainly no longer need a quarterback after trading for Carson Wentz. That changes things when it comes to the draft, since I had Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh) heading that way this morning before the deal was reported. The pivot has to be to the defense, which was 27th in yards per play allowed (5.7), 29th in opponent QBR (52.9) and 25th in points against (25.5) last season. Sure, the Commanders used a 2021 first-rounder on Jamin Davis, but his rookie season was up-and-down, and Lloyd’s sideline-to-sideline range and versatility can help Washington in a bunch of areas. Lloyd filled the stat sheet with impact numbers in all facets of the game, registering 96 tackles, 8.0 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions and 7 passes broken up last year.
Picking a linebacker in the first round for the second consecutive season is strange. But Washington chose Jamin Davis in 2021, hoping he’d play Mike linebacker. That didn’t work out. Now, with Landon Collins expected to depart, Davis can play alongside Holcomb as Washington’s outside linebackers in 2022. In Lloyd, Washington gets its inside linebacker.
The 6-foot-3, 237-pound Lloyd impressed at the combine. His college tape was outstanding. Lloyd is going in the first round. The question is, how high will he end up next month?
Lloyd would be a terrific pick for the Commanders if they choose to go defense.
