A first-round tackle out of Oregon who fought through a rocky rookie start to become a reliable protector up front.
Josh Conerly Jr. arrived in Washington as a former five-star recruit and two-year starter at left tackle for Oregon, taken 29th overall to help protect quarterback Jayden Daniels. Moved to the right side as a rookie, he weathered some early struggles before developing into a steadying presence on the offensive line.
Path to the league
A Rainier Beach High School product out of Seattle, Conerly started for two seasons at left tackle at Oregon. In 2024 he was named a third-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten, allowing just one sack across 494 pass-blocking snaps. Washington drafted him 29th overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Conerly's college tape showed elite pass-protection numbers, surrendering only nine total pressures in his final Oregon season. Commanders general manager Adam Peters called him the highest-graded player on Washington's board when he fell to the back of the first round.
2025 season recap
Conerly started as a rookie at right tackle after Washington had already added veteran Laremy Tunsil at left tackle. He struggled out of the gate, including a nine-pressure game against Green Bay early on, but improved steadily through the year and was seen as trending toward a long-term answer at tackle by season's end.
Sources
- Commanders.com: Commanders draft Josh Conerly Jr. with No. 29 overall pick
- ESPN: Josh Conerly Jr.
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Group
- offense
- College
- Oregon
- Hometown
- Seattle, WA, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
