It’s also worth pointing out that other teams were looking to capitalize on the depth at pass-rusher. Prior to the Commanders taking Lane, four edge rushers went off the board. So, rather than reach for an edge rusher, they took Lane, the best player on their board at the time, who could add dimensions to their offense and provide help in the return game.
The sixth round was quiet at edge rusher; only two players at the position were drafted during that portion of Day 3. The Commanders passed on what options were available there and selected Kain Medrano, who had some of the best numbers for a linebacker at the combine. Things were even more sparse in the seventh round with only one edge taken, and the Commanders wrapped up their day with running back Croskey-Merritt, who had 17 rushing touchdowns in 2023 and could add more explosiveness to their backfield.
That strategy falls in line with how the Commanders have operated since Peters took over; trust the board, don’t overreach and take the best possible players who can help the roster.
“They’re all different in their story about coming here, but we’re equally excited about adding all three of them quite honestly,” Newmark said. “They all are players that we were really, really happy to add.”
That doesn’t mean the Commanders are done at the position. They still have months to go before the season starts in September, and Newmark always has an eye on how they can improve the roster.
“You certainly are always watching that board,” Newmark said. “We watch it every day and we always circle back to guys and see where they’re at. Sometimes they don’t want to do anything right now, but that’s constant. It’s on the wall in my office, so I see it every morning when I walk in and we talk about it on literally a daily basis.”