Top QB prospects visit Commanders Park as NFL draft nears

The Washington Commanders are hosting several quarterback prospects on pre-draft visits this week. The NFL draft is over a week away, but the team’s decision-makers are already on the clock when it comes to picking their quarterback of the future.

LSU’s Jayden Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye are the most likely candidates for Washington with the No. 2 overall pick, but a pair of dark horses could woo coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters. 

Daniels toured the team facility on Monday before Maye’s scheduled visit to Commanders Park on Tuesday and Wednesday. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, a late riser in draft discussions, will also arrive in Ashburn this week. Peters and company also hosted University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the pre-draft process.

These pre-draft tours, referred to as top-30 visits, don’t involve any on-field work. Instead, coaches and general managers get to know prospects better through film sessions and interviews. Players can also undergo medical testing with the team’s training staff, an important detail for prospects like Penix who struggled with injuries during their college careers. 

Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is widely considered the favorite to sport the burgundy and gold next season. FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM have the 23-year-old listed as the odds-on favorite to be drafted second overall, followed by Maye and McCarthy. 

Daniels is the most talented rusher in this year’s quarterback class. The Arizona State transfer accounted for 50 total touchdowns in 2023, rushing for more than 1,100 yards and passing for another 3,800. He has wowed talent evaluators with his dynamic running ability and touch on deep throws — but they have concerns about his ability to find his second read and maintain consistent accuracy in short and intermediate throws. 

Some have also seen the ghost of former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III in his running style. Though he can make defenders miss in open space, Daniels rarely slid in college. His tape is littered with big hits and costly fumbles. With a slender frame, some analysts voiced concerns about his long-term durability. 

“He lacks ideal size and arm talent, but he’s much more capable as a runner and passer than most of the quarterbacks who have moved on to the next level lately,” NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “Daniels is positioned to become a very good NFL starter in a spread-based passing attack.”

Those who are concerned about the 210-pound Daniels may prefer the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Maye. 

The UNC product entered the 2023 season as the No. 2 quarterback prospect behind Caleb Williams, the consensus top player in this year’s draft class. With prototypical size, pocket presence and the arm strength to make every throw, the two-year starter projects to have a high ceiling in the NFL. However, his stock fell in recent weeks due to concerns about fundamentals. 

Maye missed a few throws at his pro day, causing scouts to renew worries about his footwork and throwing motion.

“There’s things he’s got to work on … There’s some mechanical issues that scare me,” Chris Simms, a former NFL quarterback and current analyst, said on “The PFF NFL Podcast.” “There’s way more off-target throws than I was expecting when I was watching him … it’s egregious at times.” 

Maye’s falling stock has refocused some attention on McCarthy, who led Michigan to a national championship last season. The former Wolverine soared up draft boards after interviewing with teams at the combine and impressing at his pro day. 

McCarthy’s role was limited at Michigan — the Wolverines used a dominant rushing attack and stout defense to build early leads, so the quarterback was rarely asked to read the field or drop back in obvious passing situations.

Scouts say the 2023 Big Ten Quarterback of the Year can work within the confines of an offense while still making plays when protection breaks down. 

“You watch [McCarthy] throw, the arm talent is certainly there, has dazzling athleticism, has the intangibles and leadership,” NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks said during the combine. “The one thing that we don’t know is the lack of experience. He and Drake Maye both have less than 30 starts under their belt.”

Whoever the Commanders select with the No. 2 pick, Peters and Quinn said it will be the result of a collaborative effort.

“Every decision we make, we’re going to talk. We’re not going to make a decision without talking to each other,” Peters said in February. “We’re going to come out that room with the same answer in mind.”

Even as the NFL draft draws closer, Quinn and Peters may not have finalized their draft board. Coaches have said it’s a big decision that they take seriously.

“It’s an ongoing process,” pass game coordinator Bobby Johnson said before the combine. “You’re continually going back and reviewing and adding new information and continuing to find out as much as you can up until the very last moment.”

This week’s visits with quarterback prospects could be the last new information the Commanders gain before the draft on April 25.