NFL Draft 2024: Washington Commanders Final Mock Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is knocking at the door and the Washington Commanders are ready to barge through with multiple early round picks

The moment has finally arrived! It’s Draft Week 2024 and we will witness history unfolding right before our very eyes. A franchise that has been around for nearly a century enters draft week with a new ownership group, a new front office, a new coaching staff, and a new hope for the future.

The Washington Commanders are poised to strike with nine overall draft picks and six are day one and day two selections. The excitement has been building for many months and the opportunities to take this franchise in a new and positive direction seem endless.

Welcome to the final 2024 mock draft from yours truly. This list of players is what I think will be a focus for the front office and coaches at Commanders Park. The goal of this mock draft is to somehow pick their brains and see which players are the best overall fit for the Burgundy and Gold. It’s never easy to put aside what we may want with the picks, but it is always the right policy to use such an exercise to determine what the organization seeks. Today’s mock will feature one trade. Let’s rock!

Day One

Round One, Pick #2

Drake Maye, North Carolina

Quarterback | 6’4 3/8”, 223 lbs

Drake Maye was the pick last month from yours truly and he is still the choice today. It’s nearly a match race with LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and the dark-horse selection of J.J. McCarthy.

What separates Maye from the other two is his potential ceiling. Washington’s current coaching staff matches well with all three quarterbacks, but Maye has established a better rapport with the coaching staff and front office in recent months. General Manager Adam Peters values meeting times with prospects and the two quarterbacks that the team has met with the most are Maye and McCarthy. It is the educated estimation that Maye will be the choice.

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Day Two

Round Two, Pick #36

Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Offensive Tackle | 6’7.5”, 322 lbs

Tyler Guyton has seen his draft predictions slide up and down over the last few months, but it appears that he will settle into the early second round. He still needs a bit of work with hand placement, timed rushes, and stunts. All of this is easily correctable at the next level and Guyton should be a day one starter.

***Trade***

Cleveland lacks a first-round pick and is seeking to trade up in the second round – Washington accepts. The Commanders drop to #54 and add a third rounder (#85) and swap picks with the Browns in the seventh round (#222 and #227).

Round Two, Pick #54

Xavier Legette, South Carolina

Wide Receiver | 6’3”, 227lbs

Xavier Legette is one of many wide receivers in the draft that is expected to have an immediate impact. His route tree is somewhat limited, but Legette has plenty of speed and is a monster with contested catches. That makes him a solid target in the red zone as well as intermediate and short route threat.

Round Three, Pick #67

Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan

Defensive End/Edge | 6’3”, 275 lbs

Here is another player that Washington hosted for a Top 30 visit and that makes Kneeland a prime target in this round. He dominated the competition at the G5 level and his skillsets should succeed in the NFL. With his superb arm length, Kneeland can run around and through blockers with a highly-charged motor that never stops.

Here is what I said about Kneeland on the Burgundy Zone podcast recently. Fast forward to the 16:20 minute mark.

Round Three, Pick #78

Khyree Jackson, Oregon

Cornerback | 6’3.5”, 195 lbs

Khyree Jackson continues a slow, but steady climb on most draft boards and mocks – rightfully so. It will take a bit of time for him to develop, but he could work his way into a prominent role this season. After successful seasons at Oregon and Alabama, Jackson will bring an aggressive and unrelenting mindset to the Burgundy and Gold.

Round Three, Pick #85

Jeremiah Trotter, Jr, Clemson

Linebacker | 6’0”, 230 lbs

Some analysts claim that Jeremiah Trotter, Jr is undersized to play linebacker in the NFL, but it didn’t stop former Washington linebackers London Fletcher and Neal Olkewicz from being great. Trotter is a smart player who can be physical in coverage or run defense. He could be a solid rotational option in his first season and a starter by 2025.

Round Three, Pick #100 (Compensatory)

Patrick Paul, Houston

Offensive Tackle | 6’7”, 315 lbs

In 2022, Patrick Paul was simply known as Washington guard Chris Paul’s younger brother, but he established himself as a force for the Cougars in 2023. He has all the tools to succeed, but is still a bit raw. Paul is a bit slow out of his stance and needs improvement with hand placement. Adding about ten pounds of muscle to his frame should help him as well.

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Day Three

Round Five, Pick #139

Christian Jones, Texas

Offensive Tackle | 6’5”, 321 lbs

Christian Jones plays with an intensive mean streak, but he lacks flexibility and the ability to neutralize the better edge rushers. He is a mauler and has a solid motor. Jones could be a candidate to move to the inside at guard or become a quality swing tackle as a pro.

Round Five, Pick #152

Dallin Holker, Colorado State

Tight End | 6’5”, 235 lbs

Holker has some impressive videos for fans to see, but he will need at least a year to adjust to the NFL. The former Rams standout needs to add about ten or fifteen pounds of muscle – he is simply too slender at this juncture. Holker is a good receiving tight end and a willing blocker. He could see some playing time as the season progresses.

Round Seven, Pick #227

Joshua Cephus, Texas-San Antonio

Wide Receiver | 6’3”, 185 lbs

Early and often in the draft process, Washington met with Cephus and seems to have a genuine interest in this UTSA Roadrunner. All he does is make great catches and produce at a high level. He impressed scouts and analysts at the Hula Bowl and the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Final Thoughts

There is your final 2024 mock draft from yours truly. This has been a long and arduous process, but this draft is likely to bring changes that the fans have been wanting for the last three decades. Enjoy the ride.

I will post same day mocks on day two and day three of the draft on X/Twitter. Be sure to take another look at our pre-draft meetings tracker to see who the Commanders may target later this week. After the draft, there will be analysis and “way-too-early” grades for each selection. We’re finally there. The re-calibration continues. See you as we go along.