The Washington Commanders entered the 2025 Premier Madden League Draft with high expectations. After a playoff season full of momentum, this draft was supposed to be the one that filled the final gaps — the one that pushed the Commanders from playoff contender to championship favorite. Instead, it’s shaping up to be one of the most disappointing drafts in recent team history.
The word around the league? This draft class looks terrible.
From questionable reaches to missed opportunities, the Commanders’ front office seemed to lose its edge when it mattered most. The headliner of that disappointment is none other than first-round pick Keldrick Faulk.
The Keldrick Faulk Gamble
When Washington selected Faulk, analysts were caught off guard. Projected by most to go in the second or even third round, the Commanders shocked the league by taking him much earlier than expected. On paper, Faulk looked like a prototypical edge rusher — long, athletic, and physical. But the tape told a different story: inconsistent motor, raw technique, and a lack of polish against top-tier offensive tackles.
It was a pick built entirely on potential. The problem? Washington didn’t need a project. They needed a plug-and-play difference maker.
Now, weeks into the season, Faulk still hasn’t seen the field. Coaches insist he’s “developing,” but around the league, the whispers are getting louder — was this a panic pick?
Missed Opportunities Everywhere
To make matters worse, several players Washington passed on are already turning heads in their respective teams. Meanwhile, Washington’s own rookie class feels like a mystery box of uncertainty. No instant contributors. No standouts in camp. Just question marks and “what-ifs.”
It’s the kind of draft that makes fans wonder what the front office saw that no one else did — and whether that “unique vision” was just wishful thinking.
No Clear Direction
What’s frustrating about this draft isn’t just who was picked — it’s the lack of direction behind it. The Commanders seemed torn between building for the future and reloading for now, and in the process, they did neither effectively.
Instead of securing proven production, they gambled on upside. Instead of shoring up weak spots, they drafted “traits.” And when you’re a team knocking on the door of a Super Bowl run, that’s not the time to get cute.
The Road Ahead
The Commanders still have time to salvage things. Faulk could eventually develop into a solid rotational player or even a future starter. But for now, the optics are rough. The fan base is frustrated. The media is skeptical. And the draft class that was supposed to build on last season’s success feels like a complete swing and miss.
Keldrick Faulk may never live down the pressure that comes with being the face of a bad draft — especially one that was questioned from the moment the pick was announced.
Final Thoughts
The Commanders’ 2025 draft was meant to be a celebration of momentum — a chance to lock in the core of a championship-caliber team. Instead, it’s turned into a warning sign.
Keldrick Faulk might still write his own story, but right now, he represents everything wrong with this class: overhyped, overthought, and underwhelming before it even began.
For a franchise that prides itself on discipline and execution, this draft feels like the one that got away — a masterclass in how not to build on success.
