The Washington Commanders came within one victory of a Super Bowl appearance in quarterback Jayden Daniels’ rookie season. No one expected them to reach the NFC Championship Game, but now that they have, Washington’s front office is going all-in this offseason.
The first major move of the offseason came from Washington itself, as the team traded draft capital to acquire Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. After a down year in 2024, the Commanders hope to see the All-Pro version of Samuel.
With Samuel and Terry McLaurin now as Daniels’ top two receiving weapons, the Commanders are looking to add an explosive slot receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Commanders Predicted to Select Isaiah Bond in 2025 NFL Draft
The Commanders didn’t sit idle after coming within a game of the Super Bowl in 2024. They made a big statement by acquiring Samuel, sending a fifth-round pick to San Francisco. Samuel’s versatility should provide a boost to both the team’s passing and rushing attack.
However, both Samuel and McLaurin lack elite speed, and PFSN’s Ian Cummings believes the Commanders’ receiver room would be unstoppable with the addition of Isaiah Bond. In his latest seven-round mock draft, Cummings projects Washington selecting Bond at No. 61 overall and writes:
“The Commanders have their WR1 in Terry McLaurin, and Deebo Samuel Sr. profiles well as a complementary threat underneath. Only one thing is missing for Jayden Daniels: the vertical speed threat and slot menace. Isaiah Bond fills those two needs in one fell swoop.”
While Bond’s 4.39-second 40-yard dash fell short of the record he publicly claimed he would break, he remains an elite athlete with impressive speed.
Those who watch his tape will be impressed with how easily Bond moves in space. His deep speed is top-notch, and he maximizes it with a quick burst off the line of scrimmage.
Some fast receivers struggle to change directions smoothly, but that doesn’t apply to Bond. He’s a dynamic ball carrier who maintains his momentum and speed while changing direction.
However, Bond has never recorded more than 700 receiving yards in a season. He finished with 540 yards and five touchdowns last year and posted a career-high 668 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.
While Bond’s college production may raise concerns, his speed and ability to get open are exactly what the Commanders and Daniels need right now.
In all, Bond projects best as a second-round talent in the 2025 NFL Draft. He has his physical limitations, which could end up limiting his ceiling a bit in the pros. That said, he should grow into becoming a high-end complementary starting speed receiver.