The Washington Commanders put together a solid–albeit small–2025 NFL Draft class thanks to general manager Adam Peters . The team made sure to prioritize continuing the build around young quarterback phenom Jayden Daniels with an offensive lineman, wide receiver, and a running back. And when the draft ended last Saturday they weren't done adding offensive assets there.
The Commanders added three more undrafted free agents on the offensive side of the ball after draft day festivities wrapped, but one in particular possesses a shocking amount of talent. Somehow the rest of the NFL forgot to draft wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks who wrapped his collegiate career up with the Louisville Cardinals last season.
Ja'Corey Brooks, WR Louisville
Brooks began his football career as a highly touted five star wide receiver recruit playing for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide back in 2021. He forced his way onto the field early with Alabama, eventually growing into Bryce Young's go-to WR1 weapon down the stretch in the 2022 season. Unfortunately an injury-riddled 2023 campaign (confirmed at the NFL Combine) seemed to derail him entirely, leading to his eventual transfer to Louisville.
Once at Louisville and back to full health, Ja'Corey Brooks got back to dominating defensive backs on a weekly basis. He quietly racked up over 1000 yards and nine touchdowns for the Louisville Cardinals making acrobatic catches against some of his toughest matchups all year long (one of the best featured below). Somehow he still went undrafted despite five star pedigree, incredible peak production, and unreal ball skills.
How does Ja'Corey Brooks fit in with the Commanders? And can he actually make the roster?
The Commanders have two solid proven wide receivers in Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, but they're both about to turn 30 years old. They should remain the focal point of the passing attack this season, but it would be a great idea for the Commanders to begin developing the talent behind them.
That may sound like Brooks' only possible role lies somewhere in the distant future, but perhaps not. Noah Brown is likely in line to spend a significant amount of snaps in one of the outside spots when the team runs with three or more wide receivers on the field, but he's a completely unimpressive receiving threat who still just has 2,000 yards receiving eight years into his NFL career.
That outside depth wide receiver position should be truly up for grabs, and that's where Brooks thrived throughout his entire career. He was an extremely efficient outside receiving threat (2+ yards per route run), posting over 80% of his snaps outside (often tethered to the line of scrimmage). Brooks also posted about 700 run blocking snaps at wide receiver, which is really why Noah Brown has stuck around in the league as long as he has.
If Brooks works his tail off this summer there's seriously a path all the way to starting outside wide receiver in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs). That's probably not the most likely outcome in year one, but Brooks brings dynamic receiving ability, blocking chops, and fits a very specific role the Commanders may be looking to improve and get younger in real soon.
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And if you want to check out some of the best plays Ja'Corey Brooks made in his final season ahead of the NFL Draft you can find those in the highlights video below!
