Washington Commanders Draft Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr. 29th Overall

The Washington Commanders selected Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. with the 29th pick in the NFL draft, further strengthening their offensive line after acquiring veteran left tackle Laremy Tunsil earlier in the offseason. Conerly, who was a two-year starter at left tackle for Oregon and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, is expected to compete for the starting right tackle job as the team shifts Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie to new roles and manages the absence of injured guard Sam Cosmi. The move demonstrates Washington’s continued commitment to protecting quarterback Jayden Daniels, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, prioritizing offensive line upgrades over other positional needs in the first round. Analysts have graded the pick favorably, noting Conerly's strong pass protection statistics and potential to develop into a reliable starter. The selection also extends Oregon's streak of first-round NFL draftees to six consecutive years. Washington now has four remaining picks in the draft to address other roster needs.