5 ways Commanders can avoid disaster during the 2024 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
How can the Washington Commanders avoid disaster during the 2024 NFL Draft, which is one of the most important selection events in franchise history?
Final preparations are being made as the Washington Commanders gear up for a pivotal 2024 NFL Draft. Adam Peters did a tremendous job of filling needs and enhancing competition throughout a busy free agency - his first as general manager. If he can successfully navigate the upcoming college selection process, Dan Quinn's men will be a team to watch next season.
The Commanders had been planning for the draft long before this evaluation period began. Trading Chase Young and Montez Sweat gave them additional assets and financial flexibility. Moving quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks also improved their chances of picking up immediate difference-makers.
Peters is one of the most respected talent evaluators in the business. He's played a huge role in thriving front offices around the league before securing his well-deserved promotion in DC. This only raises optimism about Washington coming away with a profitable haul they can build around for long-term prosperity.
With this in mind, here are five ways Peters and the Commanders can avoid disaster during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Commanders must ignore positional needs later on
Some glaring needs will be addressed by Adam Peters, especially early on in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the Washington Commanders are in no position to be turning down prospects relatively high on their board in favor of positional importance further down the pecking order.
This, by a more common phrase, is the best player available method. Peters knows how to adopt this mindset during the draft from his time in the San Francisco 49ers' war room. He would be wise to do something similar in Washington to aid a roster in desperate need of fresh energy.
No team can ever have enough competition. If it ruffles a few veteran feathers who thought their spots were assured, that's reasonable collateral damage in pursuit of better fortunes. Looking away from prospects just because they don't fit into perceived needs would be the wrong way for the Commanders to go about their business.