Washington Commanders Face Pivotal Decision with Pick 29

On April 24th, 2025, the Washington Commanders will look to take another step forward in the NFL Draft. Last year’s first-round pick was a no-brainer at quarterback, and based on his debut season, Jayden Daniels has solidified himself as the franchise cornerstone under center for years to come.

The Commanders’ front office has been aggressive in reshaping the roster, both this offseason and late in 2024, securing big-name additions like Marshon Lattimore, Laremy Tunsil, and Deebo Samuel—though those moves came at the cost of valuable draft capital. Now, with just five picks in the 2025 draft, Washington faces a key decision at No. 29 overall: stay put and select a potential impact player, or trade back to accumulate more Day 2 selections?

While the depth of this year’s edge rusher class might tempt the Commanders to hold firm, the allure of extra picks could sway them to move down. Here at UKHTTC, founder Christian Burt and regular contributor Tony Wheat weigh in on what Washington should—and might—do.

Who Would You Take at No. 29?

Tony:I’ll start with a bit of a cop-out: It depends who’s still on the board! But if I had to pick a dream target, it’d be Marshall edge rusher Mike Green. Projections for edge defenders (outside of Abdul Carter) are all over the place, and Green may not even be available at 29—though off-field concerns (sexual assault allegations) could cause him to slide.

From a purely on-field perspective, Green is an explosive pass rusher with elite burst, bend, and finishing ability. While not a dominant run defender, he can set the edge—something Washington sorely lacked last season. He dominated at Marshall and shined against Ohio State, looking every bit like a future double-digit sack artist. If he’s gone, Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku would be a strong fallback option.

GM Adam Peters has emphasized drafting the best player available, but ideally, that aligns with a need. Edge rusher remains the biggest hole, followed by cornerback or another offensive weapon. If the right edge isn’t there at 29, don’t be surprised if Washington trades down—especially if a team wants to move up for a sliding Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart.

That could net the Commanders an extra 3rd or 4th-round pick, allowing them to target the next tier of edge rushers (Landon Jackson, JT Tuimoloau, or James Pearce) early on Day 2.

Ultimately, I think Washington either stays put for an edge at 29 or trades back.

Christian: Tony’s right—picking this late is a crapshoot, and while Washington has several needs, none are desperate outside of edge rusher.

My semi-realistic choice at No. 29? Georgia’s Jalon Walker. Coaches will love his versatility and leadership—qualities Dan Quinn prioritizes. Walker is a disruptive pass rusher with off-ball linebacker experience, almost a lite version of Micah Parsons.

If he’s gone, I’d keep an eye on South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, a perfect replacement for Jeremy Chinn with the size and flexibility Quinn covets.

Who Could Unexpectedly Fall to 29?

Tony: Aside from Mike Green, another potential slider is Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell, whose shoulder injury has raised concerns.

Without it, he’s a top-15 talent—a freak athlete who excels in coverage and as a blitzer. If he’s there, Washington might pounce, letting him learn behind Bobby Wagner before taking over in 2026. That said, I doubt he lasts to 29.

Christian: I’d sprint to the podium if Missouri WR Luther Burden III somehow fell. His explosiveness, blocking, and playmaking would give Jayden Daniels a scary trio alongside Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. A first-round weapon for Daniels? Yes, please.