Daily Slop – 17 Apr 24: Commanders hire political specialist to help with stadium search; ESPN matches QBs to teams

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East and the NFL in general

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Commanders Wire

Commanders hire Senate aid to help in search for new stadium

On Tuesday, owner Josh Harris made another big hire, bringing top Senate aide Kirtan Mehta, per Hans Nichols of Axios.

Mehta’s new role will focus on Washington’s search for a new home. While the team would likely prefer to build its new stadium on the old RFK Stadium site in D.C., some hurdles remain.

Here’s why Mehta’s hiring is important via Nichols:

But he’s the kind of hire a new NFL owner would make to navigate the politics of moving a team from the Maryland suburbs to a parcel of land that’s currently owned by the federal government.

D.C., Maryland and Virginia all want the Commanders, and Mehta will be instrumental in Harris finding the best possible deal for the franchise.

Washington mayor Muriel Bowser has been outspoken about the Commanders returning to D.C. since Harris bought the team from former owner Dan Snyder last year.

Nichols on Mehta:

Mehta’s first task: Getting House-passed legislation through the Senate that would allow Bowser to negotiate with Harris on a potential package for a stadium on the banks of the Anacostia River

Mehta comes to the Commanders after serving as the chief of staff for Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO). He previously worked with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) for five years. Manchin chairs the Energy & Natural Resources committee.

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ESPN

Let’s match Round 1 QBs to new teams

Leaning on our ESPN Draft Day Predictor, we stack your chosen quarterbacks with the chance each will be available at your team’s draft slot and the chance each will ultimately be the pick. NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid break down where the quarterbacks excel and how they would fit with your team’s offensive scheme and playmakers. Let’s find the passer who will take your team to the next level in 2024 and beyond.

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Sports Illustrated

Commanders Hosting Four Top Quarterback Prospects at the Same Time

Washington will reportedly host LSU’s Jayden Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, Michigan’s JJ McCarthy and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. together on Tuesday and Wednesday. The four signal-callers are part of the larger group of prospects joining them.

With the Chicago Bears having all but already announced they will take USC’s Caleb Williams with the first selection, the Commanders have their pick of the rest. That leaves the aforementioned quartet to battle for the spot. Meanwhile, Oregon’s Bo Nix has to be feeling really left out.

It’s worth noting, the New England Patriots — who own the No. 3 pick — have also brought in Daniels, Maye, McCarthy and Penix for visits, though not at the same time. That appears to be unique to the Commanders.

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NBC Sports

Why is JJ McCarthy rising up draft boards? Michigan teammate Roman Wilson explains

McCarthy, 21, is expected to be picked early in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft

The former Michigan quarterback, once thought to be a Day 2 talent, has suddenly found himself inside the top-10 of most mock drafts.

So, what’s changed? McCarthy’s leading receiver from last season has a theory.

“I told a lot of teams who talked to me about him – if you guys have a meeting with him, don’t bring him in the meeting room because you’re going to fall in love with him and you’re going to be second guessing every other pick you have,” former Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson told NBCU Local while promoting Six Star Pro Nutrition’s new Kellogg’s Froot Loops-flavored protein shake.

“I feel like that’s what’s happening. They sit down with him, they finally meet with him and they realize that he’s a better dude than what people talk about. He really knows ball and he’s just an athlete at the end of the day. His film does not lie at all, he’s an elite quarterback. That’s what teams are seeing.”

The 21-year-old McCarthy has apparently been selling teams on his personality over the last few weeks leading up to the draft. He has visited or plans to visit the Washington Commanders (who hold the second pick), New England Patriots (third pick) and New York Giants (sixth pick) so far.

Last season was McCarthy’s best in Ann Arbor. The junior totaled 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions while leading the Wolverines to a perfect season and national title.

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Commanders.com

KJ Henry reflects on rookie season, plans to improve in Year 2

“Just trying to get back in the rhythm of things,” Henry said. “I think it’s gonna show up later in the year.”

Henry spent most of last spring worrying about his 40 time, broad jump and interviewing with teams interested in drafting him. The Commanders ended up taking him in the fifth round, and after waiting until Week 9 for his first defensive snap, he wrapped up his rookie campaign with 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Now with the opportunity to get a full NFL offseason under his belt, Henry wants to take advantage of the extra work and build on what he did last year.

“I definitely want to be known as a consistent player on this defense and just continue to raise the bar for myself,” Henry said.

Although Henry understood that’s how the NFL goes sometimes for rookies, it still felt “very, very weird” not playing on gamedays.

“I’m not getting to do what I want to do,” Henry said. “I mean, you’re a senior, you’ve been playing all this time, now you come here, you’ve been playing in the preseason games … But I know that whether it be the energy or whether it be that I help someone else that I could still add value to the team. So, that’s really what I tried to focus on.”

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The Athletic (paywall)

It’s imperative that Commanders draft an OT: Could Patrick Paul be the right fit?

General manager Adam Peters and assistant GM Lance Newmark are new in Washington. The scouting department that in 2022 selected Patrick’s brother, Chris, No. 230 overall, remains. As does Chris, a seven-game starter last season. That meant already having insight into the younger brother’s journey. Watching Houston’s practices during the season helped a lot and allowed Senior Bowl conversations to expand beyond icebreakers.

The scouts asked Patrick about possibly playing with his brother — “that would be a blessing” — and about how he trains (Paul worked this offseason with O-line coach Duke Manyweather).

Forecasts have upward of 10 linemen selected in the first round. Tackles are the main prize. With nine overall selections, including six in the top 100, it would be surprising if the Commanders passed on making a significant investment at tackle. Washington’s first shot at selecting an offensive lineman — assuming they hold the second overall selection to choose a quarterback — comes early in the second round with picks 36 and 40.

The push for blindside protectors and right tackles — Washington has a long-term concern on both sides — may thrust Paul off the board sooner than imagined. In his new seven-round mock draft, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler sent Paul, his No. 59 prospect, to Washington at pick 36.

Somewhere in that Day 2 mix fits Paul. The size, including 36 1/4-inch arm length, and experience (44 starts) are ideal for the pro ranks. Five years and counting of boxing training improved Paul’s hand-eye coordination, agility and foot speed. His competitive spirit allows the three-time first-team conference selection — two in the AAC before Houston joined the Big 12 in 2023 — to take advantage of his physical and athletic gifts.

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Bleeding Green Nation

How does the DeVonta Smith contract affect A.J. Brown’s future in Philadelphia?

The Eagles’ dynamic duo is locked up for 2024, but Brown’s contract will need some tinkering if it is to continue after that.

As noted by ESPN, the Eagles are the only team with two wide receivers ranked in the top 10 in total value and average annual salary. Brown’s salary also pays him $25 million a season and, together, their deals are costing the Birds $175 million. And ESPN also notes the only team with two wide receivers in 2024 making at least $20 million in cash value was the Bucs, with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both costing their team that much cash.

For 2024, the salaries work out fine. According to Spotrac, Jalen Hurts’ cap number is still a manageable $13.5 million, while Brown’s is $12.2 million and Smith’s is $6.4 million. That’s $32.1 million for the three of them, and when you throw in Lane Johnson’s $15.8 million, that brings it to $47.9 million. Totally fine.

In 2025, Brown’s cap hit skyrockets to $26.5 million, with Hurts’ increasing to $21.7 and Smith’s 5th-year rookie deal balloons to $15.6 million. That’s $63.8 million, nearly double 2024’s cap hit, and when you add in Lane Johnson’s $17.6 million, you’re looking at $81.4 million, an increase of $33.5 million.

In ‘26, Brown’s cap hit is a ludicrous $41.5 million and Hurts’ is $31.7 million. It’s unclear how the $25 million a season will be allocated from 2026-28 just yet, but needless to say, something will have to give.

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Windy City Gridiron

Must See Caleb Williams Highlight Video Package

This Caleb Williams highlight reel was shared with me recently, and it was so well put together that I had to share it with the WCG faithful.

There’s no commentary or music, just clips of Caleb Williams playing football at USC and Oklahoma. The camera angles on many of the highlights allow us to get a sense of what Williams was seeing on each play, so kudos to the NBC Sports Boston production behind the video.

Check it out here.

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Pats Pulpit

NFL Draft rumor: Quarterback-needy Patriots a candidate to trade back from No. 3 before trading up again

New England may make several moves at the top of the first round.

The team is a potential candidate to move back, before then using its new-found capital to move back up again to take a player — either a quarterback, or somebody able to fill other positions of need like left tackle or wide receiver.

Of course, that scenario will all depend on a series factors:

1.) The Patriots’ own draft board, especially in relation to the quarterback position.

2.) The offers coming in from other teams to acquire the third overall selection.

3.) The willingness to give up assets to trade back up again.

According to first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, who spoke with the media back at the NFL annual meeting last month, there is no guarantee when it comes to the third overall selection. Both a pick and a trade were still on the table at that point.

“The calls are coming in. And while it’s going to take a lot for New England to move off this pick, they are going to listen,” ESPN insider Adam Schefter recently said. “The question will be whether somebody can offer enough to move the Patriots off their spot at 3 to go get the quarterback they want, whether that’s Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy.”

So, who would their trade partners be. The Vikings are the most obvious given their own resources plus their need at quarterback. The Las Vegas Raiders, as suggested by Pats Pulpit’s own Pat Lane, also could be in the mix at No. 13 overall. The same might be true for the Chicago Bears at No. 9.

In fact, it appears every team in the single digits — Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Tennessee, Atlanta, Chicago — might have incentive to move around the board either in a move up or a move down. The feasibility of such a transaction would, obviously, depend on the draft picks the involved clubs would be willing to part with.

For the Patriots, that will be key to any trade as well, especially if it means risking missing out on not one but two top-flight quarterback prospects.

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The Athletic (paywall)

Hey, NFL scouts. We think you’re sleeping on these draft prospects

Here are a few in the 2024 NFL Draft class who impressed us with their talent, intangibles or grit over the years, and who, we believe, NFL folks might be overlooking — if only a little bit.

Isaiah Williams, WR, Illinois

Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” grade: 7th-rounder

When everyone looks at the measurables, Williams likely won’t measure up. He’s a tad short (5-9), a little light (182 pounds) and has short arms and small hands. But when scouts glance closely at his tape and realize what he gave up to become a quality receiver, that should generate more than passing interest.

Williams began his Illinois career as a dual-threat quarterback and was the team’s second-leading rusher. When Bret Bielema became the coach in 2021, he asked Williams to switch positions. Williams did so begrudgingly, but once he made the move, he was all in.

Last fall, Williams caught 82 passes for 1,055 yards and five scores and joined Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. as a first-team All-Big Ten receiver by both media and coaches. Williams displayed quality route running, obvious quickness and rare toughness. He averaged 11.6 yards per punt return and could fit that role for most NFL teams.

The one aspect that cannot be understated is Williams’ loyalty. He could have left when he was asked to switch positions, but he stayed at Illinois. He could have followed receivers coach Cory Patterson to Purdue after the 2022 season, but Williams wanted to lead his teammates. Perhaps Williams is a late-rounder or even an undrafted free agent, but he will make it difficult for his NFL team to cut him. Unless he’s injured, Williams will land on a roster and provide an impact at some point this fall. — Scott Dochterman

Kalen King, CB, Penn State

Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” grade: 5th- or 6th-rounder

Remember when King was a projected first- or second-round pick? You should, because it was only a few months ago. Now many view him as a fifth- or sixth-rounder. In the summer, King was thought to be one of the best cornerbacks in this class. He was going to be the one to break Penn State’s baffling streak and become the first cornerback selected in the first round (Joey Porter Jr. narrowly missed on that superlative last year when he was selected 32nd overall).

King’s draft stock has plummeted, first since facing Harrison and later after posting a 4.61-second 40-yard dash at the combine (he lowered it to 4.55 at pro day and spoke about how his expertise is playing football and not combine-specific testing). King going on the third day could be an absolute steal. Somewhere in there, he’s still the cornerback who was playing opposite Porter, the one who had 21 passes defended and 18 pass breakups during his standout sophomore year. King needs a reset after this junior year and the rough stretch of combine-specific testing. While his 40-yard dash will scare off some teams, and maybe he’s not the shutdown cornerback teams were expecting, he’s certainly a bargain at his current grade. If he’s even close to his sophomore year, some GM is going to look pretty smart in the coming years. If not? Low risk. — Audrey Snyder

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