If the Washington Commanders adding a high-profile wide receiver in free agency seems inevitable this offseason, their current on-field production suggests otherwise.
Although the Commanders lack another star pass catcher alongside NFL All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin, their group of receivers is a gritty, “Suicide Squad”-type unit. These players have excelled in doing the dirty work and shown potential for growth during an unlikely playoff run.
Now just one win away from the Super Bowl, facing the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game on January 26, the Commanders might opt to bolster their wide receiver corps with second- or third-day picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
One intriguing option? Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor, projected by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler to go to the Commanders in the second round (No. 60 overall) in his latest mock draft.
Ayomanor Dominates Heisman Trophy Winner
Elic Ayomanor emerged as a top draft prospect after delivering one of the greatest single-game performances by a wide receiver in college football history, doing so against Heisman Trophy-winning cornerback Travis Hunter.
In Stanford’s 46-43 double-overtime victory over Colorado in 2023, Ayomanor led the Cardinal back from a 29-0 deficit. He set a school record with 13 receptions for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns, including an unforgettable overtime touchdown over Hunter.
Ayomanor earned All-Pac-12 honors in 2023 with 62 receptions for 1,013 yards and 6 touchdowns, followed by All-ACC recognition in 2024 with 63 receptions for 831 yards and 2 touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, the Alberta, Canada native redshirted in 2022 and entered the NFL Draft with two years of eligibility remaining. During his tenure, Stanford went 6-18.
Bleacher Report’s draft profile highlights his talent: “Stanford may no longer be the powerhouse it was under Jim Harbaugh or early in David Shaw’s tenure, but Ayomanor exemplifies the caliber of player they used to unearth through sharp evaluation and development.”
Commanders Offense Surging in Playoffs
The Commanders’ offense has been on fire during playoff victories over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions, averaging 415.5 yards of total offense across the two games.
A standout during this stretch has been fourth-year wide receiver Dyami Brown. Against the Lions, Brown hauled in 6 receptions for 98 yards. Over the two playoff wins, he has 11 receptions for 187 yards and 1 touchdown, averaging an impressive 17.0 yards per catch.
This follows Brown’s career-best regular season, where he recorded 30 receptions for 308 yards—one more reception than he had in his first three seasons combined.
Brown’s emergence exemplifies the diverse nature of Washington’s passing attack beyond McLaurin. In 19 games, including the regular season and playoffs, six different players have led the team in receiving: McLaurin (10 times), wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (3 times), tight end Zach Ertz (2 times), running back Austin Ekeler (2 times), and wide receivers Noah Brown and Dyami Brown (once each).
