The 2024 NFL Draft will take place from Thursday, April 25 through Saturday, April, 27 from Hart Plaza in Detroit. The Washington Commanders have undergone dramatic change over the past 12 months and will have the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft.
2023 marked the end of an era for Washington on multiple fronts. On the field, the team posted a lousy 4-13 record that resulted in the ouster of head coach Ron Rivera after four seasons. But what happened off the field was more significant as controversial owner Dan Snyder finally sold the team, selling it to Philadelphia 76ers/New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris. The once proud franchise became synonymous with ineptitude and toxicity during Snyder’s 2+ decade run, so this changing of the guard was celebrated by fans.
This offseason, the franchise decided to replace Rivera with former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, who had spent the previous three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. The team then decided to trade starting quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks for draft picks, a move that made it crystal clear that it would use the No. 2 pick on a quarterback. Whoever gets handed a Commanders’ jersey by Roger Goodell will become the face of an organization starting a brand new chapter.
2024 Mock Draft: Washington Commanders
Key Offseason Additions
RB Austin Ekeler
LB Bobby Wagner
TE Zach Ertz
Edge Clelin Ferrell
Key Offseason Losses
WR Curtis Samuel
QB Sam Howell
TE Logan Thomas
Washington’s First Three Picks
Washington owns the No. 2 pick and as mentioned before, this is a prime opportunity for it to land a face of the franchise quarterback. The Commanders also own two early second-round picks, so they’re in a good position to address a number of needs like offensive tackle and edge.
Round 1, Pick #2 — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
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, Pick #36 — 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, Pick #40 — 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.