1 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Command Center Podcast. I'm Julie Donaldson, former 2 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:11,920 Speaker 1: Washington tied in Logan Falls and spent the week in 3 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: Indianapolis at this year's combine. He joins me to break 4 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:18,159 Speaker 1: down various position groups and this year's top prospects. So 5 00:00:18,320 --> 00:00:20,959 Speaker 1: Washington pry needing some depth and some good members to 6 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 1: be able to join that offensive line to help protect 7 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 1: whomever is back there at quarterback. Some names that you 8 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: think Washington could potentially take at sixteen and do they 9 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: go for an offensive lineman there? Yeah, I mean I 10 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: think of one of those two guys, Peter Scronski or 11 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: Paris Johnson fall to them at sixteen. I think they 12 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: sprint that pickup as best as they can. Think those 13 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:40,240 Speaker 1: are excellent football players. I think those two are the 14 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: best alignement in the class. I don't think they're going 15 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:44,839 Speaker 1: to be available, so if no one's there, possibly trade back. 16 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: I think that second tier group has some really outstanding 17 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: football players and it gets you excited. We know they 18 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 1: talk a lot about position flex and we've seen over 19 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 1: the last few seasons. Most certainly players have to be 20 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 1: able to move all around on that offensive line. So 21 00:00:56,800 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: are you looking at a guard, a tackle or really 22 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 1: they even had four different centers that they had to 23 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 1: go through last year as well, which is not ideal. Yeah, 24 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:04,680 Speaker 1: it's not ideal, And I'm glad you brought up center 25 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 1: because i think this draft is kind of very center dense, 26 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 1: specifically in the second round. Tipman from Wisconsin, Smitch from Minnesota, 27 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 1: Whippler from Ohio State are excellent football players then could 28 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 1: all come in and start right now. All the different styles, 29 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: but all very good football players. So if you look 30 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 1: at the NFC East, there's a lot of receivers Washington 31 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:21,400 Speaker 1: has to go up and defend against, and we've already 32 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: had to go drawn rovera before. So you have to 33 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 1: look at what's going to be your main competition and 34 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:28,679 Speaker 1: make sure you can counteract against that. Defensive back secondary 35 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: is certainly a position Washington would like to add extra 36 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:33,679 Speaker 1: depth that names that stood out too, Yeah, I mean 37 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 1: I think they all did. I mean, I know that's 38 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 1: kind of a generic thing with that whole group tested 39 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:39,120 Speaker 1: really well. Obviously, Christian Gonzalez is the guy that stole 40 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 1: the show. And then you kind of go down the list, 41 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: you say, Joey Porter Junior did an excellent job for 42 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: a man of his size, Sam Smith from Carolina Forbes 43 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: from Mississippi State. Gotta throw that in for Fred Smooth, Like, 44 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: they all just tested really well and you're going to 45 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 1: get a good value player. Kind of in the first 46 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: two rounds. I think there's probably twelve guys that you 47 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: feel really confident with, given that we know the receivers 48 00:01:58,280 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: they do have to go up against on a week 49 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: in week out basis, certain skill sets you look for. 50 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:05,840 Speaker 1: Deciding absolutely, I think there's a ton of really big, tall, 51 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 1: physical guys in this draft, and I think that would 52 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: be perfect for this team and the receivers they have 53 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 1: to match up against. Now, the Commanders had success last 54 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: season when they moved back to get John Dotson at 55 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: sixteen overall and point what a performance he had in 56 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: his rookie year, leading the team in touchdowns with seven 57 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 1: as well. Just an outstanding rookie season. Oh standing performance, 58 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 1: and quite frankly outstanding draft process. I mean they were 59 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 1: up there and like kind of the middle rounds, they 60 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 1: traded back, they got an excellent football player, they added 61 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:32,359 Speaker 1: value later in the draft. So not only did the 62 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 1: get a good football player, but a good draft process. 63 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 1: And I can't wait to see what a full year 64 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:37,720 Speaker 1: looks like for him because obviously had negotiated with that 65 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 1: Hampshire injury, but really looking forard to watching the suff 66 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 1: it really kind of showed a maturity beyond his years 67 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 1: and what you can do when you put him on 68 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 1: the field. Along with Terry McLaurin. Of course under Eric 69 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: b Enemy, we're excited to see what that offense looks 70 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 1: like as well. Now, skill position is not an area 71 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:55,320 Speaker 1: that's a glaring need, but should they potentially go and say, 72 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 1: you know what, maybe there's a player that's just too 73 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: good to pass up on when they're selecting to pick 74 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: a name that would would fit that. Yeah, I mean 75 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 1: obviously depends on when they're picking obviously, but a guy 76 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:05,359 Speaker 1: that really stuck out to me is at Perry from 77 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: Wake Forest. He did an excellent job. He's a bigger 78 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: body guy six four, two hundred twenty pounds, just caught 79 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:12,359 Speaker 1: the football in such a natural, easy way and that's 80 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 1: unusual for a man in his side. So not going 81 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 1: to be in those first three rounds probably, but a 82 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: guy maybe later you say, oh, I can't believe he's 83 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 1: still here. Let's grab that pick. And of course quarterback 84 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: is in this group as well. Now we have Sam 85 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 1: Howell by all means he gets that chance to be 86 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 1: the starter. But could they make a move here. I 87 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 1: think they could. I mean if there's someone that they 88 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:30,799 Speaker 1: really really like that they just have such a high 89 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 1: evaluation on. I think you make that pick because you 90 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:34,360 Speaker 1: know you're not you're not married to Sam Howe. If 91 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: you think someone's a generational talent, you definitely have to 92 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 1: go with him. So when it comes to key traits 93 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 1: that you're looking for that will be allowed these prospects 94 00:03:40,760 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 1: to be winning on draft day, and especially for Washington. 95 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: You just went over a whole bunch of guys that 96 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 1: we could kind of get excited for. But who stands 97 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 1: out the most that you think is most likely a selection? Yeah? 98 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 1: So I think the guy that sticks out of that 99 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 1: group is Anton Harrison. He's the guy, the tackle from Oklahoma. 100 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,160 Speaker 1: He's got really great athletic upside. He's an excellent pass 101 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 1: pector got to grow up as a run blocker. But 102 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 1: I think when you look at him, you say, man, 103 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 1: he could be that kind of elite pass protecting offensive lineman, 104 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 1: and as we know, this team struggle in that area 105 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 1: last year. I think he brings a lot of value. 106 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 1: Good big bodies. We all six fourth, fifteen pounds. We 107 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 1: I always say, you kind of want those guys to 108 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 1: be big and beefy up front to protect. Would they 109 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:18,880 Speaker 1: be ready to go right away? I think he's a 110 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 1: guy that needs a little bit development. But again he's 111 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:23,720 Speaker 1: in that same group as you know Darnell Wright, Dwan Jones, 112 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 1: those kind of big offensive linemen. You say, but he's 113 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 1: got the best pass protection upside. So I think that's 114 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 1: what you bet on with those a linemen. With over 115 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: a month until the NFL Draft, Logan shared his combine 116 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:37,600 Speaker 1: standouts Jess finishing up with the combine here in Indianapolis. 117 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:40,600 Speaker 1: There were so many fantastic moments, so many wonderful athletes. 118 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:42,719 Speaker 1: I'm gonna give you five guys that I think they 119 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 1: can help the Commanders out. One of my favorite players 120 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: in this draft is Sidney Brown. He is a jacked up, 121 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 1: rocked up dude. He's five ten, two hundred and fifteen pounds. 122 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:53,800 Speaker 1: He looks like a buff Bob Sanders. He plays like 123 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 1: a buff Bob Sanders. He's got knocked back when he 124 00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:58,679 Speaker 1: hits you. He hits tackles, he hits cards, He plays 125 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:01,240 Speaker 1: a linebacker, he plays safe, he plays in the post, 126 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 1: he does it all. He's a heck of a football player. 127 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: And he came to the combines and the explosive measurements 128 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 1: backed it up. Not only that, but the leadership stuffs 129 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:10,360 Speaker 1: there too. At the podium, he looked like he was 130 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,599 Speaker 1: running for president at the Senior Bowl. Outstanding leadership. You 131 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:15,719 Speaker 1: could hear him talking and communicating all over the field. 132 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:17,919 Speaker 1: He's a heck of a football player. Would fill that 133 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:20,360 Speaker 1: Buffalo Nick role out nicely for this team. He's just 134 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 1: going to be gone when the Commanders want to pick him. 135 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 1: Anton Harrison was that man today. You know, his film 136 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: is outstanding. He's an excellent pass protector, a little bit 137 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:29,720 Speaker 1: has difficulty with its kind of stoutness in the run game, 138 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: but he ran an excellent forty. The Phil Droll showed 139 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 1: his athleticism. Really like what I saw from today. It's 140 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: a guy that I think is slowly moving into that 141 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 1: first round. Still I think a little bit too high 142 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:42,040 Speaker 1: for Washington pick him at sixteen, But if they were 143 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 1: to trade back or if something happens, I think that 144 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: would be excellent spot for him. Really nice value at 145 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,559 Speaker 1: a guy they could play left and right tackle. Yeah, yeah, dieb. 146 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: He did an excellent job of the combat today. You know, 147 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 1: when I watched this film, I was a little bit disappointed, 148 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 1: kind of lackluster playing that four eye over the tackle, 149 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:59,839 Speaker 1: not a great playmaking position. He wondered about his up 150 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,599 Speaker 1: gale athleticism, and he came out and said, I'm a 151 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 1: tremendous athlete four or five six and the forty yard dash, 152 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: all of the drill workd he looked powerful, physical smack 153 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:11,679 Speaker 1: in the bags, turning the corner, bend in the shoulder. 154 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 1: I think he helped himself tremendously. And a guy that 155 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:18,200 Speaker 1: I think adds tremendous inside outside pass rush value, especially 156 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: as a power rusher, and a guy that'll be available 157 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 1: in that third, fourth, fifth round, I believe. So keep 158 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 1: an eye out for Yah yeah Diabee a name that 159 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 1: you should know if you don't know already, as Christian Gonzalez, 160 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:30,760 Speaker 1: the seventh fastest forty four dB ever four three eight 161 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:34,560 Speaker 1: forty one inch vertical, eleven one broad jump. All of 162 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: those are outstanding numbers, and the tape backs up. He's 163 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:39,839 Speaker 1: never had a phase with receivers, and not to mention 164 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: he's six two he's two hundred and five pounds. He 165 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: is the freak of freaks at the defensive back position. 166 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 1: The drill work looked excellent, the film looks excellent. He 167 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 1: should be a top ten pick. But if he slides 168 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:53,320 Speaker 1: to Washington, run that card up there as fast as 169 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:55,200 Speaker 1: you can, you're gonna get a heck of a football player. 170 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,839 Speaker 1: Keith Mitchell from East Carolina University. He did an excellent 171 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: job today. Everyone knew he was explosive, and with an 172 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:03,720 Speaker 1: explosive kind of undersized running back, you need to come 173 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:05,919 Speaker 1: out and run fast, and he ran exceptionally or fast 174 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: four three eight and forty yard dash, the highest GPS 175 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 1: speed values of any running back in college football last year, 176 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 1: and it showed up. He caught the football well, good 177 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 1: mover in the short area. I think, because this running 178 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:20,080 Speaker 1: back class is so deep, here's an explosive player that 179 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: Washington could target in the later rounds and still have 180 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 1: tremendous value. Keep an eye out for him. With so 181 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 1: many exciting prospects, I can't wait to see what the 182 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 1: Commanders are going to do in this draft and finish 183 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:35,240 Speaker 1: the puzzle for this roster. For all your news and analysis, 184 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: be sure to Tune into Command Center weeknights at five 185 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: and ten pm on NBC Sports Washington. You can also 186 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 1: stream on YouTube and commanders dot com.