What do the mockers think Washington needs next year?
t’s draft day! The months-long leadup to tonight’s 1st round of the NFL draft has been a long process, but we made it, and tonight 32 players will have a new team. The Washington Commanders currently hold the 2nd pick in the 1st round, and they are expected to take a QB. GM Adam Peters said they’re feel really good about that spot, and it looks like a trade down isn’t happening.
LSU’s Jayden Daniels is the consensus pick for the Commanders at No. 2, but there are still a few people mocking a “surprise pick” of North Carolina’s Drake Maye. The draft process has seen several QBs rise, while Maye seems to have fallen out of favor with many analysts in favor of the current Heisman Trophy winner. We also have one long vote for Michigan J.J. McCarthy, but that came from a mock intended to anger the fans of every NFL team.
The top pick looks to be locked up, but nothing is official until Adam Peters turns in the card, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces the pick. Washington also has eight other draft picks over the next two days. There has been a lot of buzz about Peters packaging some of those picks, and possibly future picks if needed, to trade back into the first round to pick a tackle from a very good draft class. Daniels, or whichever QB is under center Week 1, will need some help on the edges of the line that currently has Cornelius Lucas and Andrew Wylie penciled in as the starters.
Washington Commanders 2024 NFL Draft picks
Round 1(#2)
Round 2(#36)
Round 2 (#40 from CHI)
Round 3 (#67)
Round 3 (#78 from SEA)
Round 3 (#100 from SF)
Round 5 (#139)
Round 5 (#152 from SEA)
Round 7 (#222)
(via Tankathon)
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
E$PN+(Kiper/Yates)
The Commanders can land their quarterback of the present and future here with Daniels, the most dynamic dual-threat signal-caller the draft has seen in a while. Daniels’ calm demeanor in LSU’s biggest moments last season gives me confidence he will make a smoother transition to the NFL than most rookie passers. – Yates
Round 2: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Rakestraw is tough and physical, and he plays faster than his 4.51 time in the 40 suggests. He would bring an immediate edge to the new-look Commanders’ defense. – Yates
Round 2: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Great pick, Mel. You know I love McConkey’s game. The Commanders, meanwhile, would need to protect Jayden Daniels, and Suamataia has the chance to become a really talented pro with a bit of time. His power and explosiveness are obvious on film.
Round 3: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
Washington should use one of its three third-rounders on a wideout who can help its new quarterback in 2023. Wilson, who ran a 4.39-second 40 at the combine, can make plays on screens and crossers. – Kiper
Round 3: Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah
Elliss has an advanced catalog of rush moves, and he’d be yet another part of the Commanders’ edge rush rebuild after trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young last year. Elliss had 12 sacks last season. – Yates
Round 3: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
OK, let’s wrap this thing up with Washington’s sixth pick. Sanders is a legitimate playmaker with the football in his hands, and the Commanders would need more of those kinds of players around Jayden Daniels.
E$PN+(Reid)
This pick will likely come down to Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye. But considering the Commanders’ veteran additions this offseason, they seem to believe they can win right now while still establishing a foundation for the future. Daniels is the guy who gives them the best chance for early success, showing excellent deep-ball passing and rushing ability. He averaged 11.7 yards per pass attempt last season and threw 40 TDs.
Trade: Commanders get: No. 30, Ravens get: Nos. 36 and 78
Keep an eye on Washington late on Thursday night. I’m hearing the Commanders might consider trading back into the first round for an offensive tackle. And because I have five off the board, this might be a good spot to jump on one of the final two OTs in my top 32 rankings. Baltimore, meanwhile, can slide back six spots and add a Day 2 selection for its troubles.
Round 2: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The Commanders have a hole at left tackle after releasing Charles Leno Jr., and new GM Adam Peters might not want to wait until Round 2 to fix it. That’s especially true after we had Washington take a new franchise QB (Jayden Daniels) at No. 2 overall — it has to protect him now. Remember, Washington allowed 65 sacks last season, tied for the second most. Yes, Guyton has played only right tackle during his career, but he has the movement skills and upside to transition to the other side. Guyton thrives in space with really good footwork and quickness.
Round 2: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State
Washington brought in veterans Dante Fowler Jr., Dorance Armstrong and Clelin Ferrell this offseason, but how about some youth at the edge position? Isaac can grow into a starting role here. He has great closing burst and had 7.5 sacks last season.
Round 3: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Corner help is needed — especially because Benjamin St-Juste is only under contract for one more season — and Lassiter is tough and physical. He broke up eight passes last season.
Round 3: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
We close out Day 2 with Lloyd, who would be more competition for a running back room in Washington that already includes Brian Robinson Jr. and newly signed Austin Ekeler. Lloyd rushed for 18 TDs over the past two seasons.
Round 5: Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
Round 5: Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
Round 7: Kingsley Eguakun, C, Florida
NFL.com(Brooks)
Despite a reportedly bumpy start to their relationship, the Commanders and Daniels come together at No. 2, with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner bringing plenty of excitement to the nation’s capital.
NFL.com(Davis)
Plenty of noise surrounds what Washington could do with No. 2, but I believe the Commanders stick and pick their guy. A thorough evaluation by new general manager Adam Peters and new head coach Dan Quinn concludes with their selection of the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner.
NFL.com(Edholm)
I got a little cute in my last mock draft, trying to jump the snap count by bumping J.J. McCarthy up to the No. 2 slot as a way to get ahead of the curve. I sensed he was going to rise to this general area eventually. But it feels like Daniels is the Commanders’ man. His age and experience make sense for a team with Marcus Mariota as the presumed other starting option.
NFL.com(Jeremiah)
As we come down the home stretch, the whispers of Washington’s preference for Daniels have become a roar. I’m sure the Commanders have had suitors looking to acquire this pick — including the Raiders — but I don’t see GM Adam Peters passing on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
Trade with the Rams
I can’t imagine the Commanders are going to sit back at No. 36 and hope that fate lands them a top offensive tackle early in Round 2, given the expectation that there will be a run on them in the first round. They could and should be aggressive to move up for a premium prospect at the position. Based on my discussions with college programs and NFL teams, Washington has done a lot of work on the top OTs in the class. Poised to make a first-round pick for the first time since 2016, Rams GM Les Snead has a chuckle and trades out once again. This deal could net him the 36th and 40th picks in the draft if he gives up a third-rounder in the swap.
NFL.com(Parr)
The buzz continues to build in the Heisman Trophy winner’s favor at No. 2, and don’t be surprised if the Commanders aggressively move to upgrade Daniels’ supporting cast via the draft (more on that in a bit).
Trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 1: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
As NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently suggested, first-year GM Adam Peters could be willing to take a big swing to help protect his new quarterback. He gives up a pair of second-rounders (Nos. 36 and 40) to land Fashanu, who returns to his old stomping grounds in D.C. With the top two corners getting snatched up, the Jaguars are willing to move down.
NFL.com(Reuter)
Daniels’ maturation as a quarterback this past year should land him in Washington. His performance with the Tigers in 2023 provided a tremendous boost to his draft stock, helping him to separate from the pack and project as a future starter. While his electric running style definitely turned heads last season, it was his improvement operating within the pocket — especially over the second half of the season — that really impressed. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will love working with Daniels.
Round 2: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Round 2: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
Round 3: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Round 3: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
Round 3: Cedric Johnson, EDGE, Mississippi
Round 5: Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Round 5: Dominick Puni, G, Kansas
Round 7: Storm Duck, CB, Louisville
NFL.com(Schrager)
So much drama last week due to reports suggesting Daniels might not want to play in Washington, but I still have the Heisman Trophy winner going second overall. The LSU passer did his best Wednesday to shut down the rumors and speculation once and for all, telling reporters, “Whoever calls my phone, (when the) commissioner gets up and says my name, I’ll be blessed, and they’re going to get my all.”
NFL.com(Zierlein)
Is this Daniels’ first choice as a franchise? I don’t know and I don’t think the Commanders care, as they sit tight and draft the talented dual-threat quarterback.
The Athletic(Brugler)
With a new owner, general manager and head coach, the Commanders regime is a collection of unknowns in terms of draft tendencies. But all the league buzz is pointing toward Daniels being the pick.
The Athletic(Standig)
The flip to the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner began in early March, soon after Washington native Caleb Williams moved into essentially lock territory as the No. 1 overall selection by the Chicago Bears. The reasons for putting Daniels at No. 2 several weeks ago remain (unless last week’s local quarterback outing gave Washington a reason to look elsewhere). The 2023 production — 40 touchdown passes, four interceptions, 3,812 passing yards and 1,134 rushing yards — demonstrated unbelievable improvement.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback has the size to work from the pocket, and “his dazzling run skills make him a problem for defenses,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in his NFL Draft guide. The high pressure-to-sack rate is concerning, and the 210-pounder must become better at taking on thumping hits. There are compelling cases for Drake Maye, including familiarity with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s “Air Raid” scheme, and J.J. McCarthy (highly efficient, clutch throws). Brugler is among several public evaluators who prefer Maye over Daniels.
If Peters isn’t as concerned about purported mechanical flaws, covets a more traditional pocket passer who can move, and is fine with a potential redshirt rookie season, Maye is the choice. Should the organization seek an experienced (53 college starts) dual-threat quarterback who stresses defenses on every play, then get ready to buy those Daniels jerseys.
TRADE: Washington moves picks 36 and 152 to Atlanta for Nos. 43 and 109 and a 2025 second-rounder
Round 2: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
Go for the ceiling (Houston’s Patrick Paul and his 86 1/4-inch wingspan) or a durable grinder who ran the fastest 40 time (4.92) for any O-line prospect at the NFL combine? Rosengarten started all 28 games for the Huskies the past two seasons at right tackle. The 6-foot-5, 308-pounder moved from left tackle once southpaw Michael Penix Jr. became the starter. Some league evaluators have an early-to-mid-Round 2 projection for the versatile lineman.
Round 2: Marshawn Kneeland, DE, Western Michigan
Brugler’s No. 32 prospect steadily rose on public big boards as teams studied the lengthy and heavy-handed Kneeland. The thinking here is to focus less on the college production (13 career sacks in 37 games/23 starts) and more on the potential upside in Washington’s current rotation. “Kneeland is still taking classes in the art of the pass rush … He projects as a starting base end whose best football is yet to come,” Brugler wrote.
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
This is a double-up selection. The question is whether that’s an edge rusher (Chris Braswell, Austin Booker, Bralen Trice) to complement Kneeland’s more traditional 4-3 D-end style or another tackle to develop as Andrew Wylie’s possible right tackle replacement in 2025.
Fisher, 21, became the first freshman offensive lineman to start a Notre Dame season opener in 15 years before suffering a knee injury in the game and being replaced by projected top-10 selection Joe Alt. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder started 25 games at right tackle his next two seasons.
Round 3, No. 78 — Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
Peters said with more picks, “you have more swings” at prospects. Here, that notion means taking a semi-luxury pick in 2024, with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne starting. However, Allen’s massive 2025 salary-cap number could eventually lead to changes without an extension. The 284-pound Wingo ranked first among tackles in the 10-yard split (1.64) at the combine. The team captain had 4 1/2 sacks in eight games last season.
Mekhi Wingo had 4 1/2 sacks and five tackles for loss in eight games for LSU last season. (Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
Round 3: Zak Zinter, G, Michigan
Washington takes a third offensive lineman — and a flyer on the two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and team captain coming off a significant left leg injury. Zinter’s pre-injury first-round hype (42 career starts) means waiting is no issue for a team playing the long game. The Commanders signed Nick Allegretti in free agency.
Round 4: Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Washington hasn’t adequately replaced the loss of free agent Curtis Samuel, and the position lacks size. It also has largely ignored receivers this cycle. Could that mean Peters or others have a target in mind? Jerry’s son is a 6-foot-2 target with 4.5 40-yard dash speed who spent 2023 with Kingsbury at USC.
Round 5: Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
The 6-foot-1 corner with sub-4.5 40-yard speed paced the ACC with five interceptions and added eight pass deflections despite missing the final four games with a non-injury designation. Brugler mentions “undisciplined tendencies” but sees a cornerback with “man-to-man athletic tools that will interest press-heavy teams.”
Round 7: Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP
This would be needed linebacker depth should Knight last this long. Tying Edgerrin Cooper for the fastest linebacker 10-yard split (1.54) at the combine after finishing second in the FBS in solo tackles (84) gives him the edge over UCLA’s Darius Muasau despite his two years with Washington’s new linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr.
The Ringer(Kelly)
This is a tough pick to project, but I’ll go with the guy who’s been the leader in the clubhouse at this spot for the past few months. Daniels is an über-talented dual-threat signal-caller who throws a gorgeous deep ball and can score from anywhere on the field as a runner. He makes the Commanders a must-watch team in 2024.
CBS Sports(Breech)
The Commanders will have a huge decision to make at second overall between Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. The team decides that Daniels has the higher upside, so they roll the dice on the Heisman-winning quarterback out of LSU.
CBS Sports (Edwards)
All of the buzz surrounding Washington’s pick has been in support of Jayden Daniels being the No. 2 overall selection. It is a pick that makes sense given Kliff Kingsbury’s past working with Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams. I also know that defensive-minded head coaches like Dan Quinn often favor dual-threat quarterbacks because they recognize the challenges those players present when you get the position right.
CBS Sports(Fornelli)
It’s possible the Commanders could go with Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy or shock the world and take Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix. However, I’m confident it’ll be a quarterback here, and putting together all the context clues suggests the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is the most likely selection.
CBS Sports(Galko)
Lot of buzz about and around this pick, and all we know for sure is that they’ll be keeping the pick and selecting a quarterback. Seems like Jayden Daniels still makes the most sense.
CBS Sports(Richard)
I’m making an educated guess that the Commanders will run a spread offense with more run-game dedication. Kliff Kingsbury insists on a quarterback with mobility. Dan Quinn knows how hard it is to defend dual-threat quarterbacks. Neither have to worry about Daniels’ footwork or mechanics or understanding of spread concepts, he’s there already. Things like getting through his progressions or protecting himself better on the run or playing from under center can be taught. And if the Commanders are embracing data analytics then they’ll see Daniels atop in many categories thanks to the hard work he’s put in to improve his game. I know he’s older and I know he’s lean, but I just don’t think they can get away from Daniels’ unique athleticism and accurate arm. To that end, he’ll probably get picked very shortly after Williams in every single Fantasy format, meaning he’s a high-end No. 2 QB in redraft and anywhere from 1.02 to 1.08 in rookie-only Dynasty leagues depending on how many QBs can start.
CBS Sports(Trapasso)
For as much as I do think Drake Maye is in consideration here, the Commanders will ultimately decide on Daniels at No. 2.
CBS Sports(Wilson)
I like Jayden Daniels more than Drake Maye — and I’d take him here. But Washington may feel differently; whatever happens, it has to take a QB.
NBC Sports(Simms)
The Commanders haven’t had “that big-time guy” at quarterback in some time — and Daniels has an opportunity to become him. The fit between Daniels and new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is a good one.
Yahoo Sports(McDonald)
Daniels has become more of a favorite to go to Washington, but after a recent top-30 visit/battle royale with other quarterbacks, this might be more up in the air than recently assumed. We’re still going with Daniels here, who can hit the ground running with the solid surroundings the Commanders have on offense, and he’ll liven up the franchise with his dynamic play.
USA Today(Davis)
Some late-developing smoke over the past week regarding his interest (disinterest?) in playing just outside the nation’s capital – though that’s eminently more likely than Daniels’ apparent mutual affection for the Raiders. No quarterback in this draft possesses the 2023 Heisman winner’s elite combination of running and passing ability, Daniels capable of a backbreaking bolt to the end zone via land or air. Given the multiple ways he can stress a defense – not to mention the state of Washington’s offensive line – seems logical to go for the highly mobile passer who can increasingly rely on his passing prowess as his blocking improves.
USA Today(Middlehurst-Schwartz)
It’s a long way away from a consensus, but Daniels is hard to shake as the Commanders’ potential target at No. 2. The Heisman Trophy winner’s command from the pocket and ability to rip off big gains as a runner will be attractive features to whichever team drafts him. And while it would be a misnomer to call any quarterbacks “safe” picks, Daniels stands above the competition for this slot in his readiness to serve as an offensive engine from Day 1.
Sports Illustrated(Orr)
The first big mystery of the draft is here. I like Daniels personally, and I would imagine he shined in Washington’s unorthodox, en masse pre-draft visit. I spoke to one evaluator whom I trust who wondered why Daniels did not get more of a reasonable discussion as a potential No. 1 overall pick. Daniels gets it from a leadership perspective, having regularly wined and dined his offensive linemen at Ruth’s Chris Steak House while at LSU. He’s experienced in multiple offensive systems, and if he can learn to better protect himself in the pocket, he’ll be an elite player.
Fox Sports(Klatt)
Personally, I would draft Drake Maye. However, there’s too much smoke in NFL circles about Daniels going to Washington and how much some of these guys love the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Part of that is because he’s a safer pick. He might not have the overall ceiling that Maye has, but he’s safer. I know Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury loves Daniels.
Daniels has the ability to run, which is a huge feather in his cap. Defensive coordinators will hate seeing that. He can also throw the ball well and can throw it beautifully. He’s smart and mature. I still like the player, even if I would’ve drafted someone else instead.
Pro Football Network(Broback)
Who’s going to be the second quarterback taken in the draft? That remains the biggest question, and it seems to be a rotating answer depending on the week.
LSU’s Jayden Daniels remains in that conversation, and the Lamar Jackson comps continue to spark debate.
Daniels isn’t Jackson; let’s just settle those debates. They share some similarities, but the comparisons don’t do either player justice. Daniels will be fun to watch with the Commanders, and Kliff Kingsbury should know how to utilize his tools in the offense.
Trade: The Patriots receive the 36th pick; the Commanders receive pick 68 and a 2025 second-round pick.
Round 2: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Round 3: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
Round 3: Cole Bishop, S, Utah
Round 3: Brandon Coleman, OG, TCU
Walter Football(Campbell)
The new Washington regime can start fresh with its own quarterback. Considering Kliff Kingsbury was hired as the offensive coordinator, I could see the Commanders preferring Jayden Daniels over Drake Maye. I’ve heard that some in the building prefer Maye, some like Daniels and there are voice of support for J.J. McCarthy. New general manager Adam Peters is the deciding vote, and I’ve heard he is inclined to go with Daniels.
Daniels completed 72 percent of his passes in 2023 for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. He notched 10 rushing touchdowns as well. Daniels is a dual-threat quarterback who showed improvement as a passer throughout the 2022 season with LSU. He has a quality arm and is a dangerous runner with shocking speed. While he has plenty of room for growth, he became more consistent with pocket-passing accuracy and reading the field as he gained experience. Team sources said they feel Brian Kelly did a nice job of developing Daniels.
Daniels completed 69 percent of his passes in 2022 for 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also went for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. While playing for Arizona State in 2021, Daniels completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,380 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was impressive in 2019, showing playmaking ability as a passer and runner while producing points for the Sun Devils, but he did not look as good in the short 2020 season.
Round 2: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
The Commanders need a lot of help on the offensive line. Here’s a plug-and-play upgrade who could be their long-term left tackle.
Morgan had an impressive senior year to help himself with NFL scouts. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound possesses excellent athleticism on the edge with good height, weight, and quickness. Morgan was a mainstay for the Wildcats as a starter over the past three seasons. In 2022, he allowed one sack in 670 total snaps. Morgan had a quality week at the Senior Bowl, but it also exposed his extremely short – 32.88-inch – arms. There is no doubt that Morgan is super athletic and quick, but he has a soft style of play and is not a finisher. Morgan needs to get stronger and meaner for the NFL.
Round 2: Chris Braswell, OLB, Alabama
The Commanders grab more pass-rush talent to help replace Montez Sweat.
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Braswell has edge-rush ability for the next level. He possesses a very good skill set with legit speed and strength in his frame. In 2023, Braswell recorded 42 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and a pass batted. In 2022, he totaled three sacks and 22 tackles while rotating behind Will Anderson and Dallas Turner. Braswell has real upside for the NFL.
Round 3: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
The Commanders could use multiple young offensive line talents.
Amegadjie (6-5, 323) impressed area scouts with his play at Yale. Along with doing well on the field, Amegadjie has an NFL body with height, weight, and long arms – 36.13 inches. Amegadjie has a good skill set to work with, but he is a developmental project who needs work on his technique, footwork and instincts.
Round 3: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
Washington lost Curtis Samuel in free agency. Here’s a third receiver for the team’s new quarterback.
The 6-foot, 200-pound Burton has a superb skill set, as he is extremely fast and a tremendous separator. To go along with quality size and having great speed, Burton is a terrific route-runner, which leads to him consistently torching coverage. In 2023, Burton recorded 39 catches for 798 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2022, he totaled 40 receptions for 677 yards and seven touchdowns. While Burton has first-round ability, his character issues are massive and are going to be a death blow for some teams. His character problems were part of his background at Georgia, and sources say Burton was in the dog house at both Georgia and Alabama. That led to loss of playing time, and the character issues played a part in him not executing on the field with frequent missed assignments.
Round 3: Justin Eboigbe, DT, Alabama
Washington adds some more defensive line competition.
Eboigbe totaled 63 tackles, pass batted and seven sacks in 2023. Team sources say Eboigbe (6-5, 292) has power, but is limited athletically. He is a strong, and his power can be seen in the ground game, but he lacks explosion and feel as a rusher. Eboigbe shows decent speed and isn’t a bad athlete. Sources said they feel he could be a backup defensive end who takes snaps as a three-technique.
Round 5: J.D. Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame
Washington grabs a special teams contributor and backup linebacker.
Round 5: Matt Lee, C/G, Miami
Washington drafts a prospect who could be either a backup center or guard.
Round 7: Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DE, Notre Dame
Washington has shown interest in Jean-Baptiste.
Bleacher Report
LSU’s Jayden Daniels emerged during the 2023 season and throughout the predraft process as an elite prospect after four seasons of middling play.
But the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is now the most dangerous dual-threat quarterback since Lamar Jackson entered the professional ranks.
“Daniels’ athleticism and accuracy to all three levels is easy to buy into,” Klassen said. “He will immediately be one of the best rushing threats in the league, and there isn’t a throw on the field he can’t make. Better yet, Daniels is a rhythmic, calculated passer who rarely makes poor decisions.
“At the same time, Daniels’ shaky pocket management and inconsistent willingness to make high-leverage throws over the middle invite worry about what his ceiling will be.”
Yardbarker(Trachtman)
Daniels’ emergence puts him squarely in the top-five conversation after his brilliant year won him the Heisman Trophy. He’s flashed impeccable accuracy and become a proven playmaker in the LSU offense, completing over 72% of his passes and rushing for more than 1,100 yards. New Washington coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has experience with dynamic quarterbacks after coaching Kyler Murray in Arizona.
DraftKings Network(Simon)
With the Chicago Bears set to take Caleb Williams at No. 1, Washington will then get a crack at landing its QB of the future in Daniels at No. 2. The LSU QB is coming off a fantastic 2023 season where he of course won the Heisman Trophy, producing 3,812 passing yards, 1,134 rushing yards, and 50 total touchdowns on the year. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein praised him for his ability as a playmaker from the pocket and his skill at protecting himself and avoiding pressure. He did, however, take some gnarly hits during his time in Baton Rouge and durability will be somewhat of a concern.
Daniels has moved up draft boards in recent months and has overtaken UNC’s Drake Maye as the projected No. 2 QB in this class. Keep in mind that there is a possibility that the Commanders could end up bucking this trend by going with Maye, especially with Daniels’ agent not being happy with how the organization conducted their Top 30 visit. Still, that minor situation may not end up mattering as I think Daniels will be D.C. bound.
Round 2: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Franchise QB locked in? Check. Now you need to get him some protection and improve an offensive line that had a 22.1% QB pressure rate and allowed 65 sacks last season. So let’s get Daniels a 6’5”, 326-pound tackle in Suamataia. He put himself on draft radars as a redshirt freshman in 2022, starting all 12 games for BYU and not allowing a single sack. Zierlein critiqued him for his sloppy hand placement but is quick enough to be effective in outside zone schemes.
Round 2: Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri
Washington shipped Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat to Chicago at last season’s trade deadline, getting a second-round pick back in return. So why not use that pick on a replacement in Robinson? He steadily improved through his first four seasons at Mizzou before breaking out as a fifth-year senior in 2023, earning First Team All-SEC honors with 43 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. His combination of power and length makes him a borderline first-round prospect and the Commanders could be getting a steal if they can nab him at 40.
NFL Spin Zone(Scataglia)
From what I have personally read, Jayden Daniels is very likely going with the second overall pick. I’d be shocked if this didn’t happen and don’t think the Commanders are even thinking about trading out of this selection, either.
Round 2: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Keon Coleman is the selection here for the Washington Commanders at the top of the second round, as Jayden Daniels now has an encouraging duo of wide receivers at his disposal with Terry McLaurin and Coleman.
Round 2: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
The Commanders continue to rebuild their roster with the new era underway and will look to replace the departed Kamren Kurl with Tyler Nubin. While taking a safety this high might not be popular, Dan Quinn loves his defensive backs.
Barstool Sports(Blutman)
Ranking: QB4
Strength: Worked very hard to improve his game and became a big time deep ball thrower. Showcased terrific ball placement en route to winning the Heisman.
Weakness: Feels like he’s addicted to taking big hits. He can often be seen on the wrong side of a cartoonish hit that makes the viewer wince and chuckle.
Fun Fact: Eats a bacon, spinach, and onion omelet with hot sauce and two waffles the morning before games.
In my previous mock I flirted with the idea of Washington going down another road and taking McCarthy. Alas, barring a seismic decision at the last minute, this pick should be making the Jayden Daniels camp very happy.
Sportsnaut(Johnson)
We’re buying into the 2024 NFL Draft rumors. Maybe there’s too much smoke connecting Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders, but it all seems real. We don’t love the fit just because of Daniels’ high pressure-to-sack-rate in college and his willingness to bail on plays at the first sign of pressure. However, he is an elite athlete who made remarkable improvements as a passer last season. Daniels’ floor as a starting quarterback is already pretty high and there’s a Jalen Hurts-like ceiling with him as long as Washington puts the right weapons around Daniels.
Round 2: Ennis Rakestraw Jr, CB, Missouri
Round 2: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State
Round 3: Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
Round 3: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
Round 3: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
DraftTek
Round 2: Ennis Rakestraw Jr, CB, Missouri
Round 2: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
Round 3: Brandon Coleman, OT, TCU
Round 3: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Round 3: Javon Baker, WR, UCF
Round 5: DJ James, CB, Auburn
Round 5: Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
Round 7: Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State
Tankathon
Round 2: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
Round 2: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Round 3: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Round 3: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
Round 3: Javon Backer, WR, UCF
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
NFL.com(Filice)
New general manager Adam Peters has kept Washington’s plans close to the vest, creating an information vacuum that MUST BE FILLED by outside speculation. Inherently, we’ve spent the past couple months spinning our wheels on this pick, discussing Jayden Daniels and even J.J. McCarthy as possible selections. But what if the initial hypothesis was right all along? What if the tape munchers are over-scrutinizing Maye’s throw-to-throw accuracy. What if the Commanders are quietly smitten with the raw upside of a 21-year-old with prototypical size, athleticism and arm strength? Remember how many people overthought C.J. Stroud in the lead-up to last year’s draft? Could this be déjà vu at No. 2?
CBS Sports(Dajani)
A bit of a surprise here. Instead of taking the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury take Drake Maye No. 2 overall. Maye was the only FBS player to record 7,000-plus passing yards and 1,000-plus rushing yards over the past two seasons, and recorded the third-most total yards (9,076) in a two-year span in ACC history behind Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson.
Fox Sports(Rang)
With all due respect to the aforementioned Bears and Williams, the drama of this draft appears likely to start with the Commanders’ choice between Maye and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. While the reigning Heisman Trophy winner certainly would create excitement for a fan base badly in need of it, Maye’s size, upside and fit in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense make him the more logical choice.
Pro Football Focus(Akridge)
Washington has been looking for its franchise quarterback for decades now, and the new regime takes its next swing with Drake Maye. Maye has all the tools to become an NFL franchise quarterback. He was elite over the middle of the field in 2023, earning a 94.8 passing grade on throws in between the college hashes, the best in the FBS.
Round 2: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Washington is looking to get younger at the tackle position, and they could look to trade up to do so, depending on their board. However, they stay put here and take Tyler Guyton. Guyton earned a 72.9 pass-blocking grade this past season and allowed just 12 quarterback pressures.
Round 2: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
New head coach Dan Quinn will look to bolster a secondary that struggled last season. Tyler Nubin could be the player to step in for departing safety Kamren Curl. Nubin is the top-rated safety on the PFF big board and posted a 90.1 coverage grade in 2023, the highest at the position.
Round 3: Christian Haynes, OG, UCONN
Washington continues to get younger and adds to its offensive line by selecting Christian Haynes. Haynes was a four-year starter at UConn and put together two straight years of 80.0-plus overall grades.
Round 3: Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah
Washington has brought in some veteran edge rushers but will look to get younger at the position with Chase Young and Montez Sweat out of the picture. Jonah Elliss is coming off a season in which he earned a 90.1 pass-rush grade and recorded a 17.7% pass-rush win rate.
Round 3: Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville
The Commanders could look to add another pass-catching threat for their rookie quarterback. Jamari Thrash’s 78.4 receiving grade and 2.35 yards per route run are both top-20 marks in this draft class.
Round 5: Josh Newton, CB, TCU
Round 5: Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado State
Round 7: Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
Pro Football Focus(McGuinness)
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is the betting favorite to be selected at No. 2 overall, but just a few short months ago, Maye was being touted as a potential candidate to surpass Williams as the No. 1 overall pick.
The North Carolina quarterback earned a 90.0-plus PFF grade in each of the last two seasons. He finished second in the draft class with 35 big-time throws and recorded just a 1.9% turnover-worthy play rate last year.
The 33rd Team(Valentino)
The draft starts here, even if we know the Washington Commanders will take a quarterback. The question is: Which one? The betting market favors Jayden Daniels, but my grade on Drake Maye is higher, so he gets the nod. Maye’s blend of size, accuracy to all three levels and knack for playmaking makes him the team’s best bet to land a franchise star.
Round 2: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Round 2: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Round 3: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State
Round 3: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas
Round 3: Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
Round 5: McKinnley Jackson, DL, Texas A&M
Round 5: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville
Round 7: Johnny Dixon, CB, Penn State
Sporting News(Iyer)
The Commanders are doing well to mask their QB of choice with this pick, but Maye has been the No. 2 option behind Williams since early in the process with little more to prove regarding his arm, accuracy, and athleticism.
Round 2: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
The Commanders took some secondary hits in free agency with Kendall Fuller and Kamren Curl leaving. They need to upgrade the back end for Dan Quinn’s defense after some front-seven investment, and Lassiter can deliver as a smooth cover man.
Round 2: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
The Commanders like their outside starters, Terry McLaurin and Jahan Doston, who will be key targets for their first-round QB. But they also didn’t keep Curtis Samuel in free agency, leaving a spot for a technically sound, short-to-intermediate slot option. McConkey fits well into Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, too.
Round 3: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
The Commanders need to keep rebuilding their pass rush for Dan Quinn and should be thrilled to land a well-rounded defender like Kneeland with this pick.
Round 3: Dominick Puni, G, Kansas
The Commanders could use a youthful, athletic run blocker inside, as newcomer Nick Allegretti is better as a swing backup.
Round 3: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
Wilson has some unique size and imposing big-play flair. He can give the Commanders a hybrid replacement for Logan Thomas behind Zach Ertz.
Round 5: Beau Brade, S, Maryland
Round 5: Eric Watts, DT, UConn
Round 7: Emani Bailey, RB, TCU
Establish the Run(Silva)
On the Josh Allen–Ben Roethlisberger spectrum, Maye averaged 8.4 yards per pass attempt and scored 16 rushing TDs over his final two seasons as a Tar Heel. Maye’s combination of size, athleticism, and aggressiveness gives him franchise quarterback upside for a rehabbing Washington football organization.
For the Win(D’Andrea)
Jayden Daniels is an electric playmaker whose 2023 looked like someone was playing NCAA ’25 with Baker Mayfield on rookie mode. Maye, by comparison backslid. But Maye has some Josh Allen in his game, a sturdy, big-armed passer who can crash forward with his legs.
His stability as a pocket passer may give him the edge, but it’s a toss-up between the two. Maye’s higher floor is appealing for a franchise that’s spent the last two decades in the woods when it comes to quarterbacks.
Round 2: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
Round 2: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
CBS Sports(Brinson)
There was legitimate buzz about McCarthy going second overall, based largely on the premise he’s a higher-end version of Brock Purdy, who Commanders GM Adam Peters helped acquire in San Francisco.
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