When Adam Peters took over the Washington Commanders, he was not exactly stepping into an ideal situation. He walked into a franchise that had been losing for over thirty years. The roster had bad contracts, had been stuck with poor draft picks, and certainly lacked leadership. No longer did Commanders fans “trust the process.”
We are now heading into our third year with Adam Peters in the GM role. And in those three years, what has changed?
Grading Adam Peters After Two Years in Washington
In his first season, Peters did not make any headlines with splashy moves in free agency. He focused on bringing in younger players who could plug and play and rebalancing the cap. However, he did make headlines with his first-round draft pick.
Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall made for a fun 2024-2025 season for Commanders fans.
With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 @NFLDraft, the @Commanders select Jayden Daniels! @NewEraCap
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/DZ9oX8URXB
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2024
You do not draft a quarterback that high unless you believe he is the guy. Daniels immediately became a leader on the field, leading Washington to the NFC championship.
But Peters did not stop there. He stacked the class.
Jer’Zhan Newton gave the interior defensive line juice. Mike Sainristil brought versatility and a real edge to the secondary. Ben Sinnott looked like a modern tight end who can actually stress defenses instead of just existing.
Picking up additional draft picks such as Brandon Coleman to help protect Daniels and Luke McCaffrey as another offensive weapon, the gaps begin to be filled.
Was every rookie a star? No. C’mon. That’s not how drafts work.
In year one, Peters did a solid job restoring order. While Washington did not suddenly become a contender, Peters did a good job of stopping the bleeding. The roster was more balanced than ever, and the long-term picture did not appear as risky.
Peters deserved a solid B+ in year one.
Year Two: And Then You Find a Seventh Rounder
The first thing people will point to in 2025 is Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round. Protecting Jayden Daniels is a necessity, so you have to find an edge rusher that fits the bill.
Trey Amos in the second round? There is no argument here. You always need a good corner.
But what was the most interesting pick from that entire class might have come way later.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round.
Seventh-round picks are lottery tickets. Ask Bill Belichick, he’ll confirm it. But most of them do not even make a noise in camp. More often than not, they are the depth chart fillers until they inevitably get cut.
Croskey-Merritt, however, was not a depth chart filler. Simply referred to as “Bill” among Commanders fans, he led the team with 805 yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries. Bill looks like someone who can carve out a role and stay a Commander for many years to come. Maybe he stays part of a “two-headed monster,” or maybe he becomes an elite running back like Saquon Barkley one day. But finding usable production in round seven is how good teams stay flexible.
So far for 2025, Peters deserves a solid B.
Which Brings Us to Year Three
This is where patience starts to fade, and expectations start to rise. By now, the rebuild should be translating into meaningful games late in the season. Young draft picks should be consistent contributors, not just promising names. The quarterback situation should feel closer to resolved than speculative.
If Washington enters into the 2026-2027 season and looks like a team ready to make a playoff run, Peters’ reputation will show just how impactful a GM he can be. However, if the team begins to fall apart mid-season yet again, the narrative changes quickly. Speculation has run rampant about who Washington will pick up in the NFL draft and potentially replace aging veterans.
One thing is for certain, though. In season three under Peters, we need to see more consistent results. The time for rebuilding is over, and the time for being a competitor is now.