The Commanders hold enough capital in this year’s NFL draft to catapult the long-struggling team into a new era. Washington has the No. 2 pick Thursday in a quarterback-heavy class and enough second- and third-round choices to address holes at key positions.
The draft is the first for new owner Josh Harris, new general manager Adam Peters and new coach Dan Quinn. The franchise holds six picks in the first three rounds, including the second overall choice. After trading away quarterback Sam Howell this offseason, the pressure is on Peters and the front office to find the right signal-caller to lead the team into the future.
The Commanders will almost certainly begin with a quarterback at the No. 2 pick. Peters said the team isn’t open to trading the high-value selection, despite reported offers from the Las Vegas Raiders and others. Any remaining mystery revolves around whom Washington will select with their top choice.
Sportsbooks see LSU’s Jayden Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, as the most likely selection for Washington in the first round. North Carolina’s Drake Maye is considered a close second, with Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy as a dark horse.
Daniels is the most dynamic rusher among this year’s quarterback prospects, with a second gear to torch defenders in open space. He also boasts a gorgeous deep ball to arc over defenders downfield.
Maye entered the 2023 season as the No. 2 prospect behind USC’s Caleb Williams. Many analysts love the North Carolina product’s prototypical size and cannon for an arm, but concerns abound about his footwork and consistency in hitting throws.
Peters and his staff hosted Daniels, McCarthy and Maye along with the University of Washington’s Michael Penix last week, taking the quarterback prospects to Topgolf.
“It’s very beneficial to see everybody in a more relaxed environment,” Peters said. “They all got a lot of time individually … got a great blend of that and then working with everybody together in one environment.”
The group activity drew criticism from some fans and Daniels’ agent, who liked multiple posts on X questioning the decision.
“It didn’t seem to go over too well with the agent for Jayden Daniels, Ron Butler, who sounded off on social media last night that he didn’t seem particularly pleased with the process,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on “Get Up.” “I think Jayden Daniels thought it would be a visit with just him meeting with the Commanders. … But the Commanders essentially opened up the process.”
Daniels has also been linked to the Raiders and coach Antonio Pierce. NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Raiders tried to trade with the Commanders for the No. 2 pick. Before transferring to LSU, the 23-year-old played at Arizona State while Pierce was an assistant there.
“[Pierce] just challenges people,” Daniels said on the “Nightcap” podcast. “I know if I was to go to the Raiders — I’m not saying I’m going to go there or I want to go there; I want to go wherever my name is called — but if I was to go to the Raiders … he’s going to challenge me.”
Despite the media speculation, Daniels said he’d “100%” be willing to join the Commanders.
“I’m blessed to go wherever I’m called,” the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner told The Washington Post on Wednesday. “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.”
Even with the potential quarterback of the future, the Commanders could have a busy draft as they try to retool a roster that finished 4-13 in 2023. Washington was active in free agency, adding more than a dozen players to the squad, but holes remain at premium positions like offensive tackle, cornerback and edge rusher.
Most draft analysts see the Commanders as a potential landing spot for an offensive tackle if they trade into the first round.
“I think this is the worst kept secret in the draft right now, is the Commanders trading up from 36 or 40 to get an offensive tackle,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid said on 106.7 The Fan. “It just makes so much sense for them to trade up and take advantage of this deep offensive line class.”
The Commanders allowed 65 sacks in 2023 and released starting left tackle Charles Leno this offseason. Washington will likely add offensive line help early on to protect their new quarterback.
“It’s pretty universally known it’s a really good tackle class, deep tackle class,” Peters said during his pre-draft press conference. “We got a chance to visit with a lot of them and really at different levels. But yeah, we’re really, really excited about that group.”
Cornerback is the next obvious hole to fill. Washington lost starter Kendall Fuller in free agency. The roster has only one cornerback, new addition Michael Davis, with experience at the top of a depth chart.
Players like Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry, Iowa’s Cooper Dejean, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins and Michigan’s Mike Sainristil are expected to be drafted late in the first round or early in the second round. The Commanders could trade into the first round using their plethora of picks or wait for the right player to fall.
The heat is on Peters and the new regime to get this draft right. With six picks in the first three rounds, a successful draft could accelerate the Commanders’ timeline. Any busts, especially at quarterback, could set the rebuilding process back.
“There is a lot of pressure,” Peters said. “It’s a great responsibility, and we take this very seriously … but that’s what we signed up for.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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