Throughout the 2022 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the Washington Commanders rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 22 (23rd)
- Best ranking: 13 (CBS Sports)
- Worst ranking: 26 (Multiple)
Below you will find a post-NFL Draft roundup for Washington in our consensus 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 26
Player who benefited most from draft: QB Carson Wentz
Ron Rivera said consistently this offseason that you need to protect your quarterback and surround him with targets. Washington drafted receiver Jahan Dotson in the first round, giving Wentz a quick target across the middle, and added tight end Cole Turner in the fifth round. Those two bolster the talent in the passing game. In the third round, Washington drafted running back Brian Robinson Jr., who will play behind Antonio Gibson but provides depth and insurance should anything happen to his running mate. This allows the Commanders to maintain a run game, which reduces pressure on the pass game. -- John Keim
Ron Rivera said consistently this offseason that you need to protect your quarterback and surround him with targets. Washington drafted receiver Jahan Dotson in the first round, giving Wentz a quick target across the middle, and added tight end Cole Turner in the fifth round. Those two bolster the talent in the passing game. In the third round, Washington drafted running back Brian Robinson Jr., who will play behind Antonio Gibson but provides depth and insurance should anything happen to his running mate. This allows the Commanders to maintain a run game, which reduces pressure on the pass game. -- John Keim
NFL.com -- Rank: 22
The Commanders dropped down in the first round (via a trade with the Saints) and still landed an impact wide receiver in Jahan Dotson, the Penn State playmaker who gives the team a desperately needed complement to Terry McLaurin on offense. The move gives Carson Wentz a much better chance at finding success at his newest home, though it's fair to wonder if the supposedly sensitive quarterback has any concerns about the arrival of Sam Howell, the intriguing UNC bomber who fell to the fifth round. Wentz will enter the season as the unquestioned starter in Washington, but the Commanders shouldn't hesitate to experiment at the position if the offense is stuck in mud.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 26
The addition of Carson Wentz will improve the offense, but how much? The defense has to get back playing like many expected they would last season before a disappointing showing. That means Chase Young and gang.
USA Today -- Rank: 23
Their draft haul supplements what really is a nice nucleus of talent. Just hard to forecast what lies ahead for a team that has such a huge X-factor component at quarterback, a position where fifth-rounder Sam Howell might wind up getting into the mix this season.
The Athletic -- Rank: 13
Washington has officially changed its nickname and its quarterback since our panel last voted. But the switch from Taylor Heinicke to Carson Wentz hasn't convinced our voters that Washington is in a better position now than it was at the end of last season. The aggressive move to trade for Wentz, before so many other quarterback dominoes fell, is still confounding, and will alter the course of the Commanders' 2022 season.
Previous updates:
More Washington Commanders pages:
- Washington Commanders Mock Draft Roundup
- Washington Commanders Snap Counts
- Washington Commanders Franchise Leaders
- Washington Commanders Draft History
- Washington Commanders Schedule
- Washington Commanders Tickets
More of our content:
Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.