Every year, there’s a moment during the NFL Draft when fans and analysts collectively do a double take. This year, that moment came late in the second round, when the Washington Commanders selected Ole Miss defensive back Daijahn Anthony Amos at No. 61 overall — a pick already being hailed as one of the biggest steals of the draft.
The selection shocked many not because Amos wasn’t talented — quite the opposite — but because most draft boards projected him to go much earlier. The Commanders, in need of secondary help, sat patiently as more heralded names came off the board, then pounced when Amos was still sitting there deep into Round 2.
A hybrid safety-corner with elite instincts and ball-tracking ability, Amos made a name for himself in the SEC by locking down top receivers and delivering big-time hits. His 2024 season with Ole Miss was filled with highlight-reel plays, showcasing not only athleticism but also a high football IQ and a relentless motor.
Commanders GM Adam Peters said post-draft that Amos was “a top-40 player on our board” and that the team was “shocked and thrilled” to see him available that late. “This guy is a difference-maker,” Peters added. “He’s got the mentality we want in this building.”
For the Commanders, the pick checks a major box. Washington’s secondary was plagued with inconsistency last season, and the team has clearly prioritized physical, versatile defenders under new head coach Dan Quinn. Amos fits that mold perfectly — a player who can cover, tackle, and bring a nasty edge to the back end of the defense.
NFL analysts were quick to praise the move. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. called it “the steal of Day 2,” noting that Amos could have easily gone in the early 30s and wouldn’t have raised any eyebrows. “He’s going to start sooner rather than later,” Kiper predicted.
What separates Amos from many of his peers is his competitive edge. A former JUCO product who transferred from Liberty to Ole Miss, he fought his way to the top of the SEC with grit and resilience. That underdog mentality may have been overlooked by other teams focused on combine numbers and brand-name programs.
Amos himself seemed unfazed by slipping to the 61st pick. “All I need is a chance,” he said in a post-selection interview. “Washington gave me that. Now it’s time to go to work.” That mindset — humble, driven, and ready to compete — aligns perfectly with a Commanders team looking to rebuild its identity.
The pick also provides incredible value from a roster-building perspective. Getting a plug-and-play defensive back in the back half of Round 2 frees up the Commanders to address other needs in the later rounds without overreaching. It’s the kind of calculated gamble that can pay massive dividends by season’s end.
With a revamped coaching staff and a roster in transition, Washington needs young leaders who can grow into cornerstone players. Amos, by all accounts, has that upside — and the chip on his shoulder to prove he should’ve gone much higher.
Only time will tell if Amos becomes a Pro Bowl-caliber player. But make no mistake: the Commanders may have walked away from the 2025 NFL Draft with one of its biggest game-changers — and they got him at 61.
This wasn’t just a smart pick. It was a draft day theft.