Commanders met with Virginia Tech DT Norell Pollard

For the first time in a while, the Washington Commanders don’t have any Virginia Tech players on their roster. This offseason, Washington released starting tight end Logan Thomas and let starting cornerback Kendall Fuller and kicker Joey Slye leave via free agency.

No Virginia Tech players are expected to be selected in the first few rounds of the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. However, defensive tackle Norell Pollard has emerged as a candidate to be picked sometime on Day 3 of the draft.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, several teams, including Washington, met with Pollard during the pre-draft process.

Virginia Tech @HokiesFB
defensive tackle Norell Pollard met virtually today #Tanning per source. Great interest, phone calls from #Rams #Titans.
Third highest pass rush winning percentage at his position #NFLDraft2024 drawing Ed Oliver compositions as disruptive interior DL ​​excelled at Pro Day:…

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 18, 2024

Pollard played five years at Virginia Tech, where he appeared in 61 games for the Hokies, with 48 starts. He finished his career with 118 tackles, including 22 for loss, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles.

In years past, the NFL would have deemed Pollard undersized to play defensive tackle, but that trend has changed. Pollard’s speed and low center of gravity make him an intriguing NFL prospect.

The 6-foot-1, 283-pound Pollard earned a 77.7 grade point average from Pro Football Focus in 2023, including an impressive 86.6 pass rush grade.

Pollard will be an interesting name to watch on Day 3.

The Commanders have starters Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, with John Ridgeway and Phidarian Mathis as backups. But this is a new staff, with head coach Dan Quinn perhaps preferring less size and more speed on the interior of the defensive line.