Robert Griffin III has expressed his opinion regarding the Washington Commanders‘ NFL 2026 draft.
Griffin, a former Washington Redskins quarterback from 2012-15, before going to the Browns and Ravens, was discussing the 2026 NFL Draft. The setting was the “Outta Pocket” podcast, where Robert and Grete Griffin discussed various teams and their drafts.
Grete then asked Robert, “Do you think the Washington Commanders did enough in the draft to help Jayden Daniels get back on track?” Notice Grete’s question was not whether the Commanders did enough to help Jayden Daniels take Washington to the Super Bowl, or win a playoff game. The operative phrase was … “to get back on track.”
One other key qualifier was whether the Commanders did enough ‘in the draft.’ Robert quickly responded in the negative: “I don’t.” To be fair, Robert’s actual response was, “I don’t. The biggest indicator for the Commanders this year is that their success is not going to be about anyone they brought in through free agency. It’s not going to be about anyone they drafted. It’s going to be about Jayden Daniels’ health. If Daniels is healthy, the Commanders can turn it around.”
“But I do believe they did a great job using their picks to fill some of the holes in their roster,” Griffin declared. Here is some of what he said about three draft picks Grete asked him regarding.
- “First-round pick Sonny Styles, instant starter, an absolute dawg. He fits Dan Quinn’s system and his desire to have a versatile linebacker. Styles in coverage only allowed one touchdown in coverage his last two years.”
- “Third round, they go and get Antonio Williams out of Clemson. A slot maestro, as I like to call him. He’ll be a chain mover for Jayden Daniels. He’s a ball magnet. He catches a lot of passes. He’s extremely productive after the catch. That means, hey, I can get this guy the ball short, and he can take it long. He’s so crafty with his routes, you would think this dude was Mac & Cheese.”
- Kaytron Allen in the sixth round? “At first, I was, ‘Why?’ But then I thought, ‘this is actually pretty smart.’ The Commanders are pretty crowded at running back. They got Rachaad White, Bill Croskey-Merritt, Jerome Ford, Jeremy McNichols. You would think they are all set. But Kaytron Allen, we’re talking about a guy that if he had been able to come out last year, he probably would have been a second or third-round pick. He had 15 touchdowns last season alone. This dude could easily compete to make this roster if any of those guys ahead of him, who are veterans, slip up. Kaytron Allen is a dangerous one to watch. He reminds me a little bit of Alfred Morris. Alfred wasn’t as explosive of a runner. But Kaytron Allen can make that roster if he gets an opportunity. He’s got to go earn it but that’s a pick I would certainly look out for.”
Interestingly enough, Griffin really liked these three choices, but doesn’t think the Commanders did enough to help get Daniels back on track. If these three draft choices are anything close to what Daniels said they are, they will certainly help Daniels and the Commanders.
After all, the best offense is a good defense and vice versa. Secondly, if Williams is ‘a slot maestro’, Daniels will be able to get the ball out quickly to him. Finally, isn’t the best thing for a quarterback is a durable tough runner in between the tackles?
If Commanders GM Adam Peters didn’t do enough for Jayden Daniels, it won’t be because he was lazy or not working hard.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Robert Griffin III weighs in on offseason moves