The Washington Commanders selected Josh Conerly Jr., an offensive tackle from the University of Oregon, in their first-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night.
Conerly was chosen with the 29th pick in the draft. His selection should help provide protection for prized Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2024 NFL offensive rookie of the year. Daniels guided the Commanders, with a 12-5 regular season record in 2024, to the NFC championship game, in which the Commanders lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 55-23. The Eagles went on to win the 2025 Super Bowl.
Conerly’s scouting report by Sports Illustrated was positive and highlighted his physical attributes.
“Conerly has started at left tackle each of the past two years but has experience protecting quarterbacks’ blind and strong sides,” the report reads. “He’s quick and smooth-footed in his kick slide as a pass protector, and when he wins the race to first contact, he’s difficult to beat — he allowed only one sack in 2024. Conerly has enough strength to drive defensive ends out of rushing lanes and help spring big runs.”
The negatives for Conerly were his performances against elite pass rushers and run-blocking technique. Both need some work, and scouts suggested he needs to improve in these areas to bring his game to an elite level.
“The 6′ 5″, 311-pounder struggles anchoring against power rushers and is only average in space as a run blocker,” Sports Illustrated’s scouting report notes. “Conerly has the requisite tools to play tackle, though he may need some seasoning before being thrown into the fire.”
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Sports Illustrated writer Matt Verderame gave the Commanders’ first-round draft pick a “B” grade.
“Conerly was viewed by many as a borderline first-round pick as one of the top five offensive tackles in the class,” Verderame said. “At Oregon, Conerly started 28 games over the past two years while being named first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American. Projected to be a starter on the left side, he could kick inside down the line.”
