What should the Washington Commanders do with their 2024 NFL Draft selections with just over weeks left until the event?
We are just over 14 days away from the start of the NFL Draft and a brand-new era of Washington Commanders football. This is one of the most crucial selection processes in recent team history as the organization is at a pivotal spot as Josh Harris' ownership group implements their ambitious plans for a sustainable future.
When looking at the Commanders' roster, it is clear that they need to improve plenty of areas on both sides of the ball. They have needs at cornerback and safety. In a division that features CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith, these are critical areas that must improve this upcoming season. Hopefully, head coach Dan Quinn will be able to put together an average unit on the backend of his defense.
However, the biggest need is at the quarterback position. This is the most important thing above all else. The Commanders have been searching for a franchise signal-caller since Kirk Cousins left town. Could this be the year fans get the guy who can lead them back to the promised land?
Only time will tell. The development and environment around Washington’s rookie quarterback will be significant factors in his progression in the NFL. One only has to look at the situations with C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young last season to see how pivotal this can be. In most cases, it's the difference between immediate success or failure.
Commanders fans should have some confidence in new general manager Adam Peters, who was a key part in building the San Fransico 49ers into the Super Bowl contender they are today. With six top 100 selections in the NFL Draft, the front-office leader will have a chance to improve the depth and overall talent of the roster right away.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, I took a shot at yet another scenario as to what the Commanders could do in the first three rounds of the draft.
Commanders draft Drake Maye
- Quarterback | North Carolina Tar Heels
- Round No. 1 | No. 2 overall
Nothing crazy is done early in this mock draft where the Washington Commanders are concerned. It feels pretty simple that Drake Maye is the second-best quarterback prospect in this draft class. Although that is not an opinion shared by everyone, it might be something Adam Peters decides upon when push comes to shove.
The Commanders have been linked to LSU’s Jayden Daniels for months. However, that could potentially be a smokescreen. He is a good prospect in his own right, though there are some concerns with his ability to work over the middle of the field. Still, the Heisman Trophy winner might fit better in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme.
Maye, on the other hand, feels like a scheme-diverse talent that will allow him to play in any offensive system, including Kingsbury’s Air Raid-like scheme. The North Carolina prospect's internal clock must improve when he has to speed up his process in pressure situations and his efficiency with footwork and overall aggressiveness as a passer. However, the rest of his tape is pretty good.
The 2022 ACC Player of the Year has everything you want in a modern-day quarterback. Maye's arm talent and overall accuracy are among the best in the class. There is also a lot to like about the player's pocket awareness and poise, which have shown great improvement over the last year.
Maye plays with quality anticipation and has the athleticism to be utilized on options and zone reads. When the situation dictates generating yards on the ground when routes aren't developing as anticipated, he's got eye-catching elusiveness and short-area burst to make this happen.
Maye is no sure-fire thing. I do have him ranked higher than the top two selections in last year’s draft, Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. This should say a lot about the type of talent the former four-star high school recruit possesses.
Commanders draft Tyler Nubin
- Safety | Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Round No. 2 | No. 36 overall
The Washington Commanders could use another difference-maker at the safety position. Adam Peters showed no real willingness to retain Kamren Curl in free agency, who subsequently signed for the Los Angeles Rams on a modest two-year deal. Jeremy Chinn has the athletic attributes that could help immediately, but his best NFL work has come closer to the line of scrimmage rather than coverage support on the backend.
It's crucial to think back on the type of safeties Dan Quinn had when he was defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys. He has physical, yet versatile defensive backs that could play multiple roles while also having a ball hawk on the backend. While he may not have an elite athletic profile, Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin is someone worth considering early on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nubin has had a productive career as a starter for the Golden Gophers. He was a former four-star high school recruit and played as such once he stepped onto the field. Minnesota’s secondary was one of the better units in the Big Ten thanks in no small part to the prospect's influence en route to 13 interceptions and 11 passes defended during his starting career.
As a redshirt senior, Nubin was a first-team All-Big Ten with productive and quality ball skills. He is also a great processor on the backend when it comes to identifying route concepts and offensive tendencies. Not only that, the projected Day 2 selection plays with physical intentions in the run game. That should make him a valuable target for Quinn’s defense despite the clear need for a franchise left tackle.
In a weak safety class, Nubin is arguably the best of the bunch. He would be an immediate starter and contributor to the Commanders' - one with the ceiling to be a long-term piece in the secondary.
Commanders draft Kingsley Suamataia
- Offensive Tackle | BYU Cougars
- Round No. 2 | No. 40 overall
Offensive tackle remains a substantial need for the Washington Commanders. Speculation continues to rise about the front office being very active once the first round of the draft enters the 11-20 range. This is a team that needs a franchise left tackle and they should be thankful to be in one of the deepest in quite some time.
Much will depend on how the board plays out and how Adam Peters grades specific prospects. But keeping a close eye on developments and striking with conviction when an opportunity potentially arises would be the best course of action once Washington chooses its new quarterback at No. 2 overall.
There is also the possibility that the Commanders sit tight throughout the draft and retain their vast assets. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had Kingsley Suamataia high on their board in the Round No. 2 range, especially within Kliff Kingsbury’s offense that requires quality movement skills and functional athleticism, both of which the BYU prospect boasts in abundance.
The cousin of star Detroit Lions All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell, Suamataia is a former five-star high school recruit who transferred from Oregon to get a better opportunity at a starting job. He offers experience at left and right tackle, something I think the Commanders will appreciate despite position versatility not exactly going well on the offensive line during Ron Rivera's recruitment.
The redshift sophomore is raw, as you would expect for a younger prospect like him. However, at 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, Suamataia displays exceptional power and explosiveness that will make fans giddy while also fitting into the team’s rebuild timeline under Peters and Dan Quinn.
Suamataia has the ceiling to be a quality start left or right tackle. In this case, I see him being implemented on the blindside or at the very least, competing for the starting spot right out of the gate.
Commanders draft Marshawn Kneeland
- Defensive End | Western Michigan Broncos
- Round No. 3 | No. 67 overall
It’s hard not to come away impressed with how the Washington Commanders built their defensive front through free agency. The additions of defensive ends Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr., and Clelin Ferrell represent an immediate upgrade on anything they had previously. However, the bar wasn't exactly high after those in power traded Chase Young and Montez Sweat before the 2023 deadline.
There's also the presence of Frankie Luvu to consider. Although listed as a linebacker, the former Carolina Panthers star can also be deployed as a situational edge rusher when the situation dictates. These notable additions make Washington a much better pass-rushing unit than a season ago.
However, I believe they could benefit from adding more juice and overall youth to the room. Ferrell is no sure thing and Fowler cannot be seen as anything other than a veteran rotational piece at this stage of his career. The Commanders also have a wealth of selections to find high-upside individuals who can assist immediately or over time.
One of the more underrated pass rushers in the middle of Day 2 is Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland.
At 6-foot-3 and 267 pounds, Kneeland brings sufficient power and leveraging skills that make him an immediate impact rusher. His nine career sacks don’t display the full story as the redshirt senior displays the ability to consistently pressure the quarterback. Some of his best work also doesn't show up in the state sheet, which won't go unnoticed by NFL scouts.
Kneeland also has some alignment versatility, making him a potential situational pass rusher in NASCAR packages - four down defensive ends and no defensive tackles. His hot motor and pass-rush skill set make him a potential starter down the line. Working alongside an accomplished coach such as Dan Quinn should assist his development greatly.
With further development, the former second-team All-MAC pass rusher could be a starter on Quinn’s defense.
Commanders draft D.J. James
- Cornerback | Auburn Tigers
- Round No. 3 | No. 78 overall
When you look at the Washington Commanders' current depth chart, the cornerback room offers some adequate starters such as Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis. I don’t expect Quan Martin to be the starting nickel next season given the former second-round selection out of Illinois could take over the free safety spot.
The Commanders also have Emmanuel Forbes. His production and consistency left a lot to be desired as a rookie. However, it seems likely that the coaching staff will give the former first-rounder out of Mississippi State another opportunity to firmly establish himself under Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. - two renowned defensive back talent developers.
I like the idea of D.J. James at nickel. He has a small frame that will limit his ability to play on the perimeter consistently, so it would make sense to play him inside where he is not responsible for the deep thirds and an entire half of the field. Allowing the Auburn standout to work in man coverage and drop into the curl/flats would seem ideal.
James is a redshirt senior and participated in the Senior Bowl. He has shown some promise during his time in college. He provides high-level explosiveness and twitch that already fits the bill for him to play nickel.
On top of that, James has the processing skills to succeed in that spot. He plays bigger than his 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame suggests. He’s competitive in run support and isn’t afraid to get dirty at the line of scrimmage. Even with his size concerns, this is a defensive back I could see both Adam Peters and Quinn falling in love with.
Considering the Commanders let Kendall Fuller walk for the Miami Dolphins in free agency, there won't be a better chance to enhance their youth movement at the cornerback position.
Commanders draft Blake Fisher
- Offensive Tackle | Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Round No. 3 | No. 100 overall
The Washington Commanders continue to add to their offensive tackle depth with the selection acquired when defensive end Chase Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. This is something I expect them to do anyway during the draft, especially on Day 3. However, I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to select another former four-star high school recruit with the tools to develop into a potential starter over time.
Washington re-signed Cornelius Lucas to be their swing tackle option, which should allow any incoming rookies an extra sense of freedom to enhance their skills gradually. Trent Scott is also still on the books, but his recent production could be best described as indifferent and unreliable in equal measure.
Quick train of thought, if there is a former four or five-star recruit in this draft class projected to be taken in the middle or late into the second day of the draft, it is worth the risk. I believe Blake Fisher is the gamble you take looking at the athletic attributes at the prospect's disposal.
Fisher’s teammate, Joe Alt, is likely at worst a top 15 selection in this year’s draft as one of the top tackle prospects emerging from the college ranks. While it was a little surprising to see the redshirt sophomore declare early, Fisher flashes the ability to be a sound technician at the next level.
At 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, Fisher flashes moments of being a dominant figure in the run game. At worst, he’s the Commanders' swing tackle to start his career alongside Lucas. At best, the Notre Dame specimen could compete and potentially start at some stage during his rookie campaign.
Nabbing two potential starters at left and right tackle wouldn’t be too shabby of a draft overall for Adam Peters' first go-around as general manager.