Football season is here and as always, the NFL draft process is shrouded in mystery. It’s like a game of “Guess Who?” where everyone is trying to figure out who’s drafting who. Ron Rivera, coach of the Washington Commanders, is playing his part in this game and has revealed as little as possible about his team’s picks in the draft which begins on April 27. At his press conferences, he has been evasive, only saying that the team has enough depth and flexibility in the draft to make good decisions. Good call, Ron, leave us all guessing.

However, we don’t need the coach to tell us who the Commanders are going to draft. We’ve got our own team of investigative journalists who’ve analyzed all 210 picks made by the team’s front office in their previous positions. If you’re a data nerd and love to do some detective work, you can check out the data we’ve analyzed here. But, if you’re like us and just want to know the juicy details, keep reading.

So, what does the data suggest about the players the Commanders could pick this year? For starters, the team seems to prefer players with more extensive play history in college. In the past, Rivera has drafted young, athletic players, but this year he’s looking for more experienced players who can contribute to the team right away. We’re guessing he’s had enough of teaching beginners’ football 101.

The next thing we found out is that the Commanders seem to be fond of players from big-time college conferences, especially the SEC and the Big Ten. Looks like they prefer to play it safe and go for the popular kids, who wouldn’t? Most of the players who fit this mold are offensive linemen, but there are some notable exceptions from Oregon and Oklahoma.

Let’s talk about the big boys up front. The Commanders’ offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, has full control of the offensive line, and Rivera has made it clear that the lineman Bieniemy picks will have to fit his plan. The team has been interviewing offensive linemen at the NFL Combine and hosting them on “top 30” visits since. Hopefully, they’ve been screening for the most important quality: good table manners.

The Commanders have an interesting history when it comes to their draft picks. They have usually picked players from the defensive line, offensive line, running back, and linebacker positions. They love to keep a physical prototype when it comes to their defensive backs, but they are open to surprises when it comes to the tall and light or heavy players. Maybe they want someone who can jump like Michael Jordan? Who knows!

Finally, there’s a rumor that the Commanders might trade down if their preferred prospects are gone before they pick. They’ve traded down twice before, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Who doesn’t love a good bargain deal, right?

At the end of the day, as much as we try to predict who the Commanders will pick, the data only tells us so much. There’s an element of unpredictability, and anything can happen on draft day. Who knows? Maybe the team will decide to draft a player who’s never played football before but has a charming smile. We’ll just have to wait and see!

Serious News: washingtonpost