When the Washington Commanders drafted Oregon tackle Josh Conerly with the 29th overall pick in the 2025 draft, the organization believed they did enough to bolster their protection around franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels.
It is true that the team was able to upgrade at tackle already with the trade acquisition of Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans. But Conerly is a right tackle with plenty of potential.
And with rookie minicamp completed in the nation's capital, he is just excited to get back on the field, and meet his new teammates.
“Really just get out here and work a smaller group of guys, so get to know them as best as I can and then obviously just take all the coaching that I can and absorb that and put it into my play,” Conerly said. “Really that you do have to know your stuff and know it fast, so that's the only way you're going to get out there.”
Conerly may not start right away this season. Washington has Andrew Wylie penciled in as the starter at right tackle, and Brandon Coleman as a swing tackle.
If the Commanders are patient with their top prospect, they could have a quality solution along the offensive line. With a franchise quarterback in Daniels leading the way, Washington knows the top priority now falls at protecting him.
Throughout the 2025 offseason, they have done what they could to make that happen. Now, it's about executing on the field. ... for the top rookie and for the rest of a squad that has a Super Bowl vision.