4 potential NFL Draft scenarios for the Commanders at No. 2 overall

What potential scenarios could Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters consider at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft?

When the season ended and we all learned that the Washington Commanders would have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, many scenarios were on the table. As new general manager Adam Peters began to make his first moves to rebuild the roster, that list of scenarios shrunk.

Plenty of curve balls could still upset the apple cart. But with the draft getting closer, it appears that Peters has four viable strategies regarding that first selection. Two of them are very likely. The other two are long shots.

We’ll take them one at a time. First, let’s quickly discuss the strategies that are no longer viable.

There was a short-lived conversation about the possibility of trading up with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 pick and a shot at Caleb Williams. That never seemed likely, and it became moot when they dealt Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Poles will keep the top selection and select the USC prospect.

There was also a chance that Peters would decide Sam Howell was a good bet going forward if he could be surrounded by more talent. The Commanders could have traded down from No. 2 and gotten quite a bit in return. Then they could have used that wealth to build a young offensive line and get a couple of dynamic pass catchers.

That was a popular notion amongst some fans. Peters and his staff did not see Howell as a championship-caliber signal caller, and they traded him away. That virtually ensured that they would select a quarterback - probably with their first-round pick.

Washington might have pursued a veteran quarterback - someone like Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson. That would have also allowed them to trade down and jump-start the roster overhaul with additional selections. But that never seemed likely.

Peters always clarified that he was not looking for a quick fix. He wants to build a quality roster from the ground up, primarily through the draft. Here are four potential scenarios the front-office leader could go down with the No. 2 selection.

Commanders could stand pat

This was always the most likely path, and it remains so.

It makes the most sense if the Washington Commanders have identified a clear favorite from the three quarterbacks who come after Caleb Williams on most draft boards. These are Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and J.J. McCarthy.

If Adam Peters is convinced one of them - let’s say Daniels for the sake of argument - is a much better bet than the other two, then the move is easy. He remains at No. 2 and takes the LSU prospect.

This becomes trickier if he has all three rated roughly the same. Something that brings alternatives into play.