Analyzing the Commanders' 2023 Draft Class: Rounds 4-7
The article provides performance benchmarks for the Commanders' rookies drafted on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. For offensive tackle Braeden Daniels, the expectations are low as offensive tackles picked this late in the draft rarely see significant playing time as rookies. If Daniels can rank in the top 64 NFL offensive tackles in blocking, he will have exceeded expectations. As for defensive end K.J. Henry, first-year starters are rare in the fifth round, but if he can get on the field for a significant number of snaps and sack one quarterback, he will have performed as well as the average edge rusher in his draft range. Running back Chris Rodriguez faces similar challenges, but if he can surpass Washington's third leading rusher's 2022 rushing total, he will have exceeded expectations. Lastly, seventh-round pick Andre Jones faces an uphill battle as very few seventh-round edge defenders become full-time starters, but he can look to Washington's James Smith-Williams as an example of a successful late-round pick.
