Commanders’ Top 100 Draft Picks: A Two-Year Review of Hits, Misses, and What’s Next for Adam Peters
When Adam Peters took over as general manager in Washington, he made one thing clear: this team would be built through the draft. Two years and eight top-100 picks later, it’s time to take stock of how well that strategy has played out.
The NFL draft is where franchises are made-or set back. Over 70 percent of All-Pro selections over the past decade were top-100 picks.
That’s the sweet spot where teams expect to find high-level starters, impact players, and future stars. And while Peters has had no shortage of opportunities, the early returns have been a mixed bag.
Let’s break it down, pick by pick.
2024 NFL Draft
Round 1, Pick 2: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
This was Peters’ first big swing-and it looks like a solid hit. Daniels, the electric Heisman-winning quarterback, came into the league with sky-high expectations.
His second season was rocky, marred by injuries and inconsistency, but the flashes of brilliance were enough to keep optimism alive in D.C. In a quarterback class that included Drake Maye and others, Peters bet on the upside and leadership of Daniels.
So far, that bet still feels like the right one.
Verdict: Hit
Round 2, Pick 36: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Newton was coming off foot surgery when Washington took him early in the second round. He managed to suit up for 16 games as a rookie but didn’t make much of an impact.
Year two didn’t bring the leap many hoped for, and he enters 2026 as more of a depth piece than a difference-maker. For a top-40 pick, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Verdict: Miss
Round 2, Pick 50 (via trade): Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
Sainristil showed some promise in his rookie year, bouncing between the slot and outside corner. But his sophomore season was a major step backward-so much so that he looked borderline unplayable at times.
Whether that’s a scheme issue or a misread on the player remains to be seen. Either way, Washington didn’t get what it needed from this pick.
Verdict: Miss
Round 2, Pick 53 (via trade): Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Sinnott was viewed as a versatile tight end with upside, but it just hasn’t translated. Two seasons in, he’s started five games and has just 16 catches to his name. That’s nowhere near the production you want from a second-rounder, especially at a position where Washington still lacks a clear starter.
Verdict: Miss
Round 3, Pick 67: Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU
Coleman was thrown into the fire early, starting at left tackle as a rookie. He struggled, which wasn’t unexpected, but the team quickly pivoted-trading for Laremy Tunsil and drafting Josh Conerly the following year.
Coleman eventually moved inside to guard but couldn’t win that job either. He’s now a backup, which is serviceable depth, but not the kind of return you want from a top-70 pick.
Verdict: Miss
Round 3, Pick 100: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
McCaffrey has carved out a role as a fourth wide receiver and special teamer. He had a brief breakout stretch in 2025 before getting injured, finishing with 29 catches and three touchdowns over two seasons. Not a complete whiff, but not a game-changer either.
Verdict: Marginal Contributor
2025 NFL Draft
Round 1, Pick 29: Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
Conerly was a bit of a surprise pick given the team had just acquired Tunsil and already had Coleman in the mix. But the rookie started all 17 games and didn’t miss a snap.
While he had his growing pains, he showed real improvement late in the season. There’s reason to believe he can develop into a long-term starter.
Verdict: Incomplete, Trending Up
Round 2, Pick 61: Trey Amos, CB, Alabama
Amos was a bright spot on a struggling defense. Before a season-ending leg injury in Week 10, he led the team in passes defended and looked like Washington’s most reliable defender in the secondary. If he returns healthy, he could be a cornerstone in the defensive backfield.
Verdict: Hit
The Updated Roster Picture
Despite the uneven draft results, there’s still some promising young talent on this roster. Jayden Daniels is the centerpiece on offense, with veteran Terry McLaurin and emerging wideout Troy Franklin (a player Washington passed on in favor of McCaffrey) offering help on the outside. The offensive line has some work to do, but the addition of Tunsil and Biadasz gives the group a veteran anchor.
Defensively, there’s more intrigue. The front four features Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw, with Dorance Armstrong providing some edge pressure.
But it’s the back seven that’s most interesting. A rebuilt secondary featuring Cooper DeJean, Trey Amos, and Calen Bullock offers real upside.
Add in linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and hybrid defender Nick Emmanwori, and you’ve got a group that could become the identity of this defense moving forward.
The Bottom Line for Adam Peters
Eight top-100 picks in two years is a rare opportunity. And right now, the Commanders haven’t capitalized the way they needed to.
By this breakdown, Peters has two clear hits-Daniels and Amos-and several picks that just haven’t panned out. That’s not to say all is lost.
Conerly could still develop. McCaffrey might carve out a bigger role.
But when you look at who Washington passed on-players like Cooper DeJean, Troy Franklin, and Calen Bullock-it’s hard not to wonder what could’ve been.
Now, Peters heads into the 2026 offseason with just two top-100 picks and a roster that still has major holes. Free agency will be critical, especially given Washington’s recent struggles in that department. Peters has found some late-round gems-like running back Bill Croskey-Merritt-but the margin for error is shrinking.
If Washington wants to climb back into playoff contention, the next few months will be pivotal. The draft room needs to be sharp.
Free agency needs to be aggressive and efficient. And Peters?
He needs to prove that his vision for building through the draft is more than just a soundbite-it has to become a reality.