NFL Draft Grades: Analyzing the Commanders’ picks

Eyes on the NFC East.

Now that the 2024 NFL Draft is over and we’ve analyzed the Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie class, let’s turn our attention to the other teams in the NFC East. We’ll continue with a look at the Washington Commanders after previously analyzing picks made by the New York Giants.

Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, Louisiana State

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 210

Most Important Stat: Fourth in the country last year in passes of over 20 yards (per Pro Football Focus)

What he can do: Jayden Daniels has been talented since day one of his college career, but needed a change of scenery from ASU to LSU for him to really excel. Daniels blossomed over the last two seasons in Baton Rouge, emerging as one of the most dynamic players in the country. First, it’s hard to discount how deadly Daniels is as a ball carrier. The Tigers got him going with designed quarterback runs, option plays, and Daniels took matters into his own hands with dangerous scrambling. He is fast, agile, and fearless as a runner. Sometimes a bit too fearless. Then there is his passing ability. His arm strength is NFL level, and his anticipation is very advanced. He was extremely accurate attacking all levels of the field and was an exceptional deep passer. What is concerning is his awareness in the pocket. While he doesn’t get rattled by pressure, he allows himself to get sacked way too much. He has a tendency to not give up on plays and end up losing a lot of yards.

Commanders Outlook: There is basically no reason for Daniels not to start day one for Washington. His fit in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense is obvious and, by all accounts, Daniels is a great study when it comes to learning a playbook. Even as he gets adjusted to NFL defenses making windows a lot tighter, his mobility will be an asset for a rebuilding Washington team in year one. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Daniels in the running for OROY.

Jer’Zhan Newton, Defensive Tackle, Illinois

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 304

Most Important Stat: 102 total pressures in the last two seasons (per Pro Football Focus)

What he can do: Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton has been one of the most disruptive players in college football for the last two years. He is a smaller defensive tackle by all measures but makes up for it with a devastating first step, a high motor, and a great understanding of using leverage to defeat blocks.

Commanders Outlook: Washington got a real steal with Newton in the second round. Head coach Dan Quinn must have seen shades of Grady Jarrett, who he drafted and developed during his time in Atlanta. While the Commanders already have two great interior lineman in Da’Ron Payne and Jon Allen, Newton will probably see a large role in his rookie year as a sub-package defensive lineman and pass rush specialist.

Mike Sainristil, Cornerback, Michigan

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 182

Most Important Stat: Six interceptions in 2023

What he can do: Mike Sainristil moved to cornerback after three seasons playing wide receiver for the Wolverines and immediately became a difference maker. While he is smaller, Sainristil is a great athlete with fantastic recognition ability and ball skills. Sainristil is a smaller cornerback, and his lack of size can hurt him against larger pass catchers, but he is extremely physical and is a very dependable run defender.

Commanders Outlook: The Commanders pass defense could use all the help it could get. Dan Quinn puts a high emphasis on “fast and physical” players and Sainristil fits that description to a tee. The question is fit. Sainristil is most likely a slot cornerback for the Commanders, but it’s possible they’d prefer his ball skills, recognition ability, and physicality at safety.

Ben Sinnott, Tight End, Kansas State

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 250

Most Important Stat: 40” Vertical, 6.82 Second 3-Cone, 126” Broad Jump at the NFL combine.

What he can do: Ben Sinnott was one of the more peculiar players in the draft. He is a bit on the smaller side for a tight end prospect, but was a valuable chess piece in the Kansas State offense last year. Sinnott played in-line, in the slot, and in the backfield for the Wildcats, catching 48 passes in the process. In only 48 receptions, Sinnott ranked 4th among tight ends in forced missed tackles and 6th in catches of over 20 yards (both stats per Pro Football Focus). He is an extremely dynamic player even if he is not a “true” tight end.

Commanders Outlook: The Commanders took Sinnott higher (53rd) than the consensus had him projected (83rd), indicating they are enamored with his impressive skill set. Kliff Kingsbury could envision Sinnott as an offensive weapon they can deploy all over the field to create mismatches.

Brandon Coleman, Offensive Tackle, Texas Christian

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 314

Most Important Stat: Allowed three sacks in the last three seasons (all in 2022)

What he can do: Brandon Coleman is a tremendous athlete with experience playing both left tackle and left guard during his time at TCU. Coleman’s play was uneven across his career, but he had flashes of brilliance as both a run blocker and pass blocker.

Commanders Outlook: The Commanders had a horrible offensive line last year, allowing 65 sacks on the season. It’s no wonder they would take a bet on a player like Coleman, whose upside is as great as any offensive lineman in the class. Coleman could start early in his career given the lack of talent on Washington’s line, and has the flexibility to play guard and tackle. That being said, Washington will need to be patient with him as he is still fairly raw.

Luke McCaffrey, Wide Receiver, Rice

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 198

Most Important Stat: Second in the country with 17 contested catches in 2023 (per Pro Football Focus)

What he can do: Luke McCaffrey, the younger brother of Christian, was a nightmare in the slot for the Rice Owls in 2023. He turned 13 of his 71 catches into touchdowns using a great blend of speed, physicality and great route running. While his athleticism and height could allow him to play as a perimeter receiver in the NFL, his short arms might make it hard to win snaps against more physical cornerbacks. Worth noting that McCaffrey started his college career as a quarterback and is still very much growing into being a wide receiver.

Commanders Outlook: Washington has a handful of talented pass catchers including Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Luke McCaffrey will be battling for a WR3 position and most likely would do the most damage as a big slot receiver who can make catches in traffic. He also has upside as a special teams player.

Jordan Magee, Linebacker, Temple

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 228

Most Important Stat: 14 TFLs in 2023

What he can do: Jordan Magee is a fast, fearless, smart linebacker who thrived in the middle of the Temple defense over the last few years. He did some of his best work shooting gaps as a blitzer, creating pressures and tackles for a loss in the run game. Magee is also a rangy athlete who flows well in space on passing plays. Most concerning is his lack of size and the number of missed tackles he had every year.

Commanders Outlook: Dan Quinn loves speedy linebackers and it’s obvious what appealed to him about Magee. While Jordan Magee might not have a fast track to starting, he could see defensive snaps early in his career due to Washington’s lack of depth at linebacker.

Dominique Hampton, Safety, Washington

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 215

Most Important Stat: Played in college for six years

What he can do: Dominque Hampton is a huge dude. He is built more like a linebacker despite having the athleticism of a defensive back. Despite his physical gifts, he was only ever a solid defensive player in college and never really ascended to being an impact defender.

Commanders Outlook: The Commanders get much needed depth in their defensive backfield. People will remember that Dan Quinn has a propensity for bigger safeties who can step up into the box with ease like Kam Chancellor, Keanu Neal, and Jayron Kearse. Hampton is not close to any of those players as a prospect, but the Commanders clearly loved his physical profile and think they can maybe develop him into a role player.

Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Edge, Notre Dame

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 239

Most Important Stat: 38 pressures in 2023 (per Pro Football Focus)

What he can do: Javontae Jean-Baptiste is a speed-rushing specialist whose first step overwhelmed tackles in his last season at Notre Dame. His run defense in college was surprisingly dependable despite being a smaller edge defender. His high motor and college experience allowed him to always be in plays.

Commanders Outlook: Jean-Baptiste probably tops out as a role player on an NFL defense. His speed can be an asset but his size could be detrimental against NFL blockers. The Commanders most likely see him as a special teams player with upside to be a rotational defender.