It’s no secret that Ron Rivera was horrible in drafting players for Washington. Only a couple of players he selected still remain on the team. During his tenure with Washington, Rivera participated in 4 drafts, drafted 33 players, and at the beginning of this year only 12 out of the 33 players were rostered. His last two drafts with the team started with the 16th overall pick in the first round. He then proceeded to pick CB Emmanuel Forbes and WR Jahan Dotson, who are both now on other teams due to poor performance. Although those first-rounders didn’t pan out, there are two prospects in this year’s draft that could fulfill Forbes and Dotson’s potential and what they could’ve been for us.
The Commanders have the 29th pick in the first and second round this year. If CB Will Johnson or WR Luther Burden is not on the board at 29, we should trade back to get another pick in the second round and compensation in the later rounds. I believe both of these prospects will be selected in either the second or third round. Shavon Revel Jr., 6'3 and 193 lbs, coming out of East Carolina, is up there, talent-wise, with Travis Hunter and Will Johnson at the cornerback position. Shavon Revel Jr. suffered a torn ACL injury this past season and it has been lowering his stock in the draft. His 2023 campaign was a masterclass in defensive back play with 54 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and the special teams output that gets someone from JUCO to a two-year D1 starter, which was his path. Revel only played in 3 total games this past season prior to his injury. His stats in the last two games he played: 2 interceptions, 1 pick-six, 4 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, and 2 pass deflections. Shavon Revel Jr. will fall to the second round, and we should make a push to get a higher second round pick for him.
The next prospect gets overlooked at the wide receiver position because of the team he was on. Coming out of Colorado, Jimmy Horn Jr. 5'10 and 170 lbs, could be a dangerous slot receiver. His draft stock is currently rising due to his performance at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. Horn has reportedly been the “best” WR so far at these practices and has impressed several coaches. Scouts say he is faster than they anticipated, and his route running speaks for itself.
Jimmy Horn Jr. shows he has a diversified route tree, a quick change of direction, the speed to beat defenses over the top and underneath, and adds significant value as a returner. This past season showed Jayden Daniels spreading the wealth and not just getting targets to Terry or Ertz, but also to Zaccheaus, Brown, Crowder, and even Ekler. If we put Jimmy Horn Jr. in that mix, it will open up our offense and make us more dangerous, and it will allow us to change our playbook and will complicate defensive schemes. It’s not a do-over from Rivera’s picks; it’s a new beginning. I trust Adam Peters and Dan Quinn to select the players that will allow us to continue winning.
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