Commanders Prioritized Pass Protection With Pick No. 29

With the 29th overall pick, the Washington Commanders selected Josh Conerly Jr., offensive tackle, Oregon.

Many expected general manager Adam Peters to take an edge rusher at No. 29, and he had plenty of options to do so. The nation’s top two sack leaders, Mike Green and Donovan Ezeiruaku, were still on the board. However, Peters decided to bolster the offensive line and prioritize protecting his franchise quarterback.

Last season, Conerly Jr. was named a third-team All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection. In 14 games, he allowed just one sack in 494 pass-blocking snaps and surrendered only nine total pressures.

At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Conerly Jr. adds a big, physical presence to the Commanders’ offensive line. In the Big Ten championship game against Penn State, he faced off against newly drafted New York Giant Abdul Carter. In that matchup, Conerly Jr. allowed zero pressures. The two will now see each other twice a year in NFC East divisional showdowns.

Projected 2025 Offensive Line

Conerly Jr. primarily played left tackle at Oregon, although with the Commanders recently trading for Laremy Tunsil, he’ll likely make the switch to right tackle. With Sam Cosmi projected to miss the majority of the 2025 season, the Commanders’ Week 1 offensive line will probably look like:

• Left Tackle: Laremy Tunsil
• Left Guard: Nick Allegretti
• Center: Tyler Biadasz
• Right Guard: Andrew Wylie
• Right Tackle: Josh Conerly Jr.

Why didn’t the Commanders go defense at No. 29?

If it was not clear before, it is now: Peters’ number one goal is to keep Jayden Daniels safe. The Commanders finally have their franchise quarterback and want him to get hit as little as possible.

Every one-on-one pass rep between Josh Conerly Jr. (#76) and Abdul Carter (#11)

Speed vs. Speed pic.twitter.com/4FgENMfKnz

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) April 8, 2025

Washington still has significant needs on defense, which it will likely address with its upcoming picks. With this year’s draft class stacked with talented edge rushers, do not be surprised if Peters targets one soon to improve his pass rush.