Washington Commanders Mock Draft Roundup 6.0

The Commanders stay local with Banks, a tall, hyper-explosive cornerback, to help round out the secondary.

Witherspoon is rising fast, and I'd expect the Commanders would be among the teams with an eye to Illinois' pro day on Friday. He allowed 3.2 yards per target last season, second-best in the nation, and picked off three passes. I love his physicality, and Washington really needs someone who can make plays on the outside. Opponent QBs had a 70.0 QBR on throws outside the numbers last season, 23rd in the NFL, and the Commanders didn't reach double-digit interceptions (nine). Pair Witherspoon with Kendall Fuller, and you have an improvement.

Washington has multiple needs along the offensive line, but this pick would allow the Commanders to move Sam Cosmi to guard and plug Johnson into an early starting role.

Although he doesn't have ideal size (5-11 1/2, 181 pounds), Witherspoon plays much bigger than he looks and has the tape of an immediate NFL starter. Between the need on Washington's roster and Witherspoon's talent and play personality, the Illinois product wouldn't be a hard sell to head coach Ron Rivera.

Maybe he'd hoped to run faster than 4.46, but that will hardly prevent him from becoming — believe it or not — the inaugural first-round defensive back in Nittany Lions history. The son of the former Steelers linebacking star of the same name, Porter Jr. is a big (6-3, 193) corner who could plug in nicely for a team that could use quality depth beyond what Kendall Fuller provides.

Last season, the Commanders picked wide receiver Jahan Dotson in the first round, and this year they look to fix the corner position with Joey Porter, Jr.

When looking at the Washington Commanders' roster, two glaring liabilities can be found.

Obviously, quarterback remains in question. Yes, the team continues to say publicly that Sam Howell is QB1 going into the year. But he's a former fifth-round pick who shouldn't be handed anything. In this particular setup, the Commanders aren't in a position to draft a signal-caller.

Instead, the franchise turns its attention to its secondary. Outside of Kendall Fuller, who's a free agent after the 2023 campaign, the Commanders don't have an above-average cornerback on the roster. Illinois' Devon Witherspoon instantly changes that perception.

"Witherspoon is an instinctive corner who possesses a high football IQ and anticipation in coverage," Giddings wrote. "He's also a versatile defender with the ability to play in both man- and zone-heavy schemes.

"Though the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year didn't work out at the combine due to a hamstring injury, he previously showed great movement skills on tape and will look to confirm his speed at his pro day. Witherspoon is yet another incoming cornerback who will look to compete for early playing time."

Giddings' final point is important. Witherspoon has the skill set and competitiveness to immediately match up with an opposing offense's top wide receiver.

Witherspoon is my CB1 in this class, and I don't think the fact that he missed the combine workouts with a hamstring injury will affect his stock at all — this is just one version of how the group might go. Nonetheless, Witherspoon has absolutely stellar tape, and he allowed 22 catches last season on 62 targets for 206 yards, 71 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, three interceptions, 14 pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 25.3, the Commanders (or any other NFL team) would be fortunate to have him.

If the Commanders don't trade up for a quarterback, they might opt to stay put and find a bookend to cornerback Kendall Fuller.

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