The Washington Commanders should enter this NFL Draft with three main priorities: getting a quarterback, fixing the pass rush, and improving the secondary.
One player who could help solve the latter of Washington’s issues is Auburn safety Jaylin Simpson.
In Simpson’s fifth season in college, the senior had four interceptions, more than doubling his collegiate production up until that point, which had been three. For context, last season, the Commanders had the third-fewest interceptions of any team in the NFL, with eight total.
Not only did Washington struggle to intercept the ball, but the team’s secondary also gave up the most yards in the NFL, 4,627 yards. The Commanders need help on the back end of the defense.
General manager Adam Peters made some significant moves for Washington this offseason in free agency, such as signing defensive leaders such as linebacker Bobby Wagner and safety Jeremy Chinn with the hope that those veterans will be able to alter the identity of the Commanders for the better.
New Washington head coach Dan Quinn is a defensive mastermind with a history of creating championship-caliber defenses dating back to his time with the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys.
Simpson has been criticized for not being the strongest run defender because, at times, he can surrender more yards in the pass game in pursuit of a big play like an interception. Quinn has found success working with players like this in the past, though.
Defensive backs Daron Bland and Trevon Diggs enjoyed some of their best seasons with the Cowboys while playing under Quinn. If the Commanders were to take Simpson in the draft sometime around the No. 100 pick, he too could develop into a Pro Bowler like some of Quinn’s former players.
