7 Commanders who could be one and done with the team in 2024
By Dean Jones
Marcus Mariota - Commanders QB
The Washington Commanders are embarking on an exciting new era with a potential franchise quarterback. Jayden Daniels was the choice at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. After making a seamless transition to the franchise during early workouts, there is a growing belief within the building that this is the guy who can help wake a sleeping giant.
Daniels has a strong support system around him. The coaching staff looks accomplished led by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard. He also has a solid veteran to lean on for counsel after the Commanders signed Marcus Mariota in free agency.
Mariota is another former No. 2 pick who's gone through plenty of ups and downs throughout his career. This advice will be invaluable as Daniels looks to take the league by storm. Whether this arrangement will be anything more than short-term remains to be seen.
In an ideal world, Mariota won't see the field at all in 2024. He's an insurance policy in the event Daniels struggles or misses time through injury. It could be a role he's willing to accept long-term at this stage of his career. But the Oregon product would relish the chance to get another starting job, however unlikely that might be.
Dante Fowler Jr. - Commanders DE
After trading the defensive end duo of Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the 2023 deadline, the Washington Commanders needed to solidify their pass rush as a matter of urgency this offseason. Dan Quinn turned to some of his former players in pursuit of filling the void.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Dante Fowler Jr. both reunited with Quinn immediately after spending time working together on the Dallas Cowboys. This should plug the hole to a certain extent, but the pressure is on to hit the ground running after the Commanders didn't get one of the top-tier edge rushers during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Armstrong comes with a higher upside given his age and ascendancy under Quinn's expert guidance. Fowler's fortunes are less certain, so it'll be interesting to see what role the veteran gets as part of Washington's new expansive defensive scheme he's already familiar with.
Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. should know how best to maximize Fowler's skills. That said, the dependable veteran faces a fight to earn a second contract with the Commanders all things considered.