USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Feb 5, 2022

The Washington Commanders have multiple needs to address this offseason. No two needs stand out bigger than quarterback and inside linebacker. We know of Washington’s pursuit for a quarterback, but its search for a linebacker could be the difference between another underachieving season and a playoff berth in 2022. - General manager Martin Mayhew, top personnel executive Marty Hurney and select coaches were present at the 2022 Senior Bowl this week scouting some of the 2022 NFL draft’s top quarterbacks. There were also some talented linebackers in Mobile, too. - No, top prospect Devin Lloyd did not participate in the Senior Bowl, but there were also top talented prospects on the field. So, if Washington addresses the quarterback position before the 2022 NFL draft in April, linebacker would likely be the pick at No. 11 — if the Commanders do not trade the pick. - Virtually every mock draft we’ve covered has Washington going quarterback at No. 11. Kyle Stackpole of CBS Sports unveiled his latest mock draft after the completion of practice week at the Senior Bowl. - Stackpole, who previously worked for Washington’s website, knows the team well. He gives them a linebacker at No. 11 in Georgia’s Nakobe Dean. - It seems like everyone just assumes that the newly named Washington Commanders will select someone to command their offense in April’s draft. But what if Ron Rivera and Co. take another big swing in free agency (like they did for Matthew Stafford last year) or try to work out a blockbuster trade? In that case, the Commanders’ attention shifts to the second level of their defense. Despite being undersized, Dean has the leadership, instincts and playmaking ability to be the missing piece for a talented unit that unperformed in 2021. - Everything Stackpole said is correct. Washington will be desperate to fill the void at linebacker, but Dean will not last until the second round. Neither will Lloyd. Both should go somewhere among the first 20 selections. - You’ve heard this before and you’ll hear it again: This is a massive offseason for head coach Ron Rivera and the Commanders. - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Washington Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Washington Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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