Commanders 2022 NFL Draft Rumors: Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jameson Williams

The 2022 NFL Draft rumor mill is in full swing with the big night just days away. While teams are certainly posturing to send up smoke screens ahead of the NFL Draft, some actual intentions can be gleaned by reading the tea leaves that are NFL rumors. We’re going to combine our expert consensus first-round mock NFL Draft, the latest picks from our NFL analysts, our team needs for each NFL squad, and the latest NFL rumors to try to determine what teams will do during the 2022 NFL Draft. Below, we’ll check and see if the Washington Commanders are going to target one of the top wide receivers of the 2022 NFL Draft class.

2022 NFL Draft Team Needs

Andrew Erickson shares team needs for all 32 teams ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has the following for the Commanders:

Team Needs: QB, CB, LB, WR, OL

Latest 2022 NFL Draft Rumors

Marco Pavoloni (@MAPavoloni) of The Rumor Mill Mock Draft provides the latest in the world of 2022 NFL Draft rumors.

The Commanders have been considered likely contenders for one of the top receivers nearly all offseason.

A few days prior to the draft, not much has changed. It feels like they’ll be going with a receiver, with the one alternative being snatching up a falling Kyle Hamilton or Derek Stingley. Ben Standig believes the team has faith in Dyami brown developing in his second year, and the potential for Cam Sims to play a larger role in the offense. Even then, there’s enough buzz to suggest Washington could opt to take their top wideout left on the board.

Many in the media are zeroing in on the Ohio State receivers as great fits for Washington.

On 4/5 JP Finlay wrote, “my guess but I think a dream scenario for Commanders would be trade back from 11 to around 20 and take Olave.”

Also on 4/5, Albert Breer confirmed that the Commanders had hosted Olave for an in-person visit. “Olave is very close with star WR Terry McLaurin, could be in play when Washington picks (11th overall),” he writes.

And on 4/6, Josh Norris, on Twitter, wrote, “Ron Rivera rarely travels to pro days. He was all over the Ohio State WRs in March.”

More recently, on 4/24, Ben Standig wrote, “If Kyle Hamilton or Drake London fall, they both seem like possibilities for Washington.”

On the 25th, Albert Breer writes, “if I had to guess, this would be London’s floor. Wilson would be another really good on-field fit alongside McLaurin. But I’m keeping an eye on Ohio State’s Chris Olave here, too, as he’s very close with McLaurin and is a fantastic cultural fit for the Commanders.”

Peter King, in his final mock, selects Olave for the Commanders. He writes:

“I can’t see [Chris Olave] lasting to the twenties. The fourth of four straight wideouts makes too much sense for Washington , which I think loves Drake London but will be thrilled with the sub-4.4 speed and top football IQ of Olave.”

And here’s Todd McShay, on the 25th:

“Nothing new here, but the Washington Commanders are all in on finding another wide receiver. I’ve heard two very different nuggets on their preference at No. 11. One GM told me that buzz around the league points to Washington taking Ohio State’s Chris Olave, pairing him with a former Buckeyes teammate in Terry McLaurin. But another says London is rumored to be much higher on Washington’s board at the position. Regardless, it might be a moot point if London goes to the Falcons or Jets.”

Consensus First-Round NFL Mock Draft

Despite the trade rumors involving wide receivers, our consensus mock draft has the Commanders selecting safety Kyle Hamilton with pick No. 11. However, if it’s not Hamilton, our consensus likes either Jameson Williams or Chris Olave, who each have a 22% chance of being selected.

Our analysts agree with the consensus and think that if Hamilton falls outside the top 10 picks he’s likely to land in Washington with pick No. 11.

Freedman’s latest mock draft: Week of the Draft

11. Washington Commanders: Kyle Hamilton (S – Notre Dame)
At one point, it seemed like Hamilton was a lock for the top 10, but those days are gone after he exhibited subpar speed with his pro day 40-yard dash.

This is true. I was told 4.70 and 4.74 for Kyle Hamilton at the ND pro day. https://t.co/ySB891d99R

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 28, 2022

Still, Hamilton has a good chance to go in the middle of Round 1, and the Commanders have a need at the position.

Hamilton has a Derwin James-esque skill set: He can play deep, at linebacker, in the slot against wide receivers and tight ends, and on the edge as a situational rusher.

Erickson’s latest mock draft: NFL Mock Draft 6.0

11. Washington Commanders: Kyle Hamilton (S – Notre Dame)
The Kyle Hamilton slide stops in the nation’s capital.

Hamilton is a top-end defensive talent and provides recourse against ever-evolving NFL offenses. With so much to offer — strong tackler, desired length/size, and coverage ability — he fits the profile for a team that is just looking to draft the best player available, which could also benefit from extra help in the secondary.

Ron Rivera’s defense — a scheme that values safety play in a defensive scheme more than most — is a perfect fit for the Notre Dame safety alongside Kamren Curl and Bobby McCain

Here is the best argument for the Commanders drafting Kyle Hamilton. https://t.co/z7vDGwHY1l

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 15, 2022

No safety forced more broken passes per game than Hamilton did in 2021.

FantasyPros Mock Drafts

Andrew Erickson:

Matthew Freedman:

Version 1: Post-free agency
Version 2: Post-Eagles & Saints trade
Version 3: Mid-April
Version 4: 10 days away
Version 5: Seven days away
Version 6: Week of the Draft

Derek Brown:

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