What should the Washington Commanders do with their 2024 NFL Draft selections as attention turns away from free agency?
The NFL owners' meetings are taking place and the rumors around the Washington Commanders and their No. 2 overall selection continue to swell. With the NFL Draft just under one month away, the takes and discourse surrounding the decision facing Adam Peters regarding which quarterback should be the guy is just heating up.
All of this is on the heels of some significant rule changes, including a brand-new kickoff and the controversial ban on the hip-drop tackle. Though, this doesn’t affect Peters’ decision-making on the quarterback situation, that in itself is one of the leading topics of discussion in Orlando, Florida among media and league figures alike.
The team’s potential choice at No. 2 overall is quite compelling. This is an organization with some building blocks on both sides of the ball to be competitive in 2024. Even if a playoff berth seems unlikely, making strides is realistic if the correct signal-caller is acquired.
There is a growing belief that Peters and Dan Quinn are building something special. While there is plenty of skepticism to go around, this is a head coach-general manager pairing that has fans cautiously optimistic about the future of the Commanders franchise along with new ownership led by Josh Harris.
However, using the Pro Football Network simulator, I dove into a unique scenario that could potentially send shockwaves through not just the Commanders' fanbase, but the league overall in a special three-round mock draft.
Commanders select J.J. McCarthy
- Quarterback | Michigan Wolverines
- Round No. 1 | No. 2 overall
We all expect Caleb Williams to be the No. 1 overall selection and become the Chicago Bears' new franchise player. The biggest question that remains is who the second quarterback off the board will be. For the last few months, there's been a debate around North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels, with fans split down the middle.
However, there is a quarterback prospect who's seen his stock skyrocket in recent weeks to the point where he has entered the QB2 debate. That player is J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy is considered by many as either the third or fourth-ranked quarterback in this draft class. However, following his recent pro day and the buzz surrounding him in Orlando - including high praise from his former head coach Jim Harbaugh - would it come as a surprise if the former four-star high school recruit was the No. 2 overall pick?
For many Washington Commanders fans, it would. Though, this is the NFL Draft and there are almost zero guarantees on any prospect or where they may be drafted.
McCarthy is a talented signal-caller in his own right. He offers a lean, athletic profile with a loose arm and out-of-structure playmaking ability. He has a lot more torque in his arm talent that would allow him to showcase the ability to attack all levels of the field.
While he has work to do from a consistency and decision-making standpoint, there is still plenty to like with McCarthy. It's unlikely the former Michigan star will be taken No. 2, but the recent speculation means it cannot be overlooked entirely.
Commanders select Kingsley Suamataia
- Offensive Tackle | BYU Cougars
- Round No. 2 | No. 36 overall
The Washington Commanders must find a way to protect their potential franchise quarterback one way or another. They have the draft capital to make a trade for a proven talent to man the left or right side of the offensive line. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if those in power chose to draft the best tackle available when they go on the clock in Round No. 2.
Thankfully, in this scenario, they get the best of both worlds with an offensive tackle that can play both left or right tackle almost immediately. He's also got the athletic profile to significantly increase his capabilities with proper coaching.
Kingsley Suamataia is a former five-star high school recruit and a redshirt sophomore. When you turn on his tape, he is an offensive tackle who boasts a great physical and functional athleticism profile with room to grow. He’s a massive human being at 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, and was a brick wall at times for the BYU Cougars.
With the Commanders' current situation, Suamataia will likely start right away and his flaws could be exposed quickly. The former Oregon Duck transfer has room to grow from both a technical and overall awareness perspective. However, this is the type of player NFL teams always take a risk on.
If he doesn’t work on either the left or right side, the Commanders' search for a quality starter will continue.
Commanders select Tyler Nubin
- Safety | Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Round No. 2 | No. 40 overall
When looking at the Washington Commanders' secondary, this is a unit that is in desperate need of true safety help. Don't expect free-agent signing Jeremy Chinn to play much on the backend this upcoming season. He's got the scope to be a box safety with the potential to come onto the defensive second level on 3-4 packages within Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s creative scheme.
Contrary to popular belief, the safety position is still valuable. This bears more significance in today’s league where defenses are playing for two-high looks. This is why Tyler Nubin provides terrific value as the first player at the position off the board in this mock draft scenario.
Nubin is a former four-star high school recruit who has been a key contributor for the Minnesota Golden Gophers over the last few seasons during his five-year stint in the Upper Midwest. He has tallied terrific ball production with 11 passes defended and 13 interceptions during his collegiate career.
He will not be the best athlete on the field, and that's okay. Nubin wins with terrific football intelligence and being in the right place at the right time. He’s disciplined in coverage and against the run, which is an integral anchor every successful defense is looking for.
Commanders fans would enjoy the presence of Nubin in their secondary if selected at either No. 36 or No. 40 overall.
Commanders select Roman Wilson
- Wide Receiver | Michigan Wolverines
- Round No. 3 | No. 67 overall
Wide receiver is not the biggest need for the Washington Commanders. They have a nice trio of playmakers such as Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Dyami Brown - although the former North Carolina standout hasn't met expectations as yet despite the physical gifts at his disposal.
However, it’s hard to ignore the talent at the position in this year’s draft.
This year offers the best crop of receiver prospects in recent memory. The Commanders need to take every opportunity to give their future franchise quarterbacks enough playmakers to succeed at the next level. Even if they don't address it right away, there is plenty of value further down the pecking order.
Roman Wilson offers the growth potential to be a high-level slot receiver in the NFL while offering the dynamic athleticism to win at all three levels of the field. His route-running ability, ball-tracking skills, and athleticism make him one of the most underrated receiver prospects in the draft with the potential to be a Day 1 impact player.
Wilson struggles with consistency issues at the line of scrimmage and with his ball skills. His smaller frame will keep him from being a consistent winner on the outside at the next level. While Dotson is projected to be the starting slot receiver, the Michigan product's dynamic play-making ability would be hard to keep off the field.
Commanders select Brandon Dorlus
- Defensive End | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 3 | No. 78 overall
Dan Quinn is known for his terrific defenses and alignment versatility along the defensive line, especially during his time with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. His team gave big money to Dorance Armstrong to be their No. 1 edge rusher while adding former top-five selection Clelin Ferrell for additional depth. This will help after the Washington Commanders traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the deadline.
There are some versatile defensive linemen in this draft class for the Commanders and a couple of Denico Autry-types at the edge rusher position. These include Missouri’s Darius Robinson, who is expected to go early in Round No. 2.
If a team chooses to pass on Robinson, they could get a similar alignment versatile defensive lineman in Oregon’s Brandon Dorlus.
From preliminary viewings, Dorlus offers a unique physical profile at 6-foot-3 and 283 pounds. His length and mass allow him to work from the 5-technique to a 1-technique in a potential NASCAR package. This is when all four down linemen are edge rushers.
Dorlus has enough explosiveness and power to be a disruptive presence from any alignment. While he can corner well enough, he doesn’t offer quality bend off the edge and must improve his ability to maintain proper leverage at the point of attack.
Commanders select Cam Hart
- Cornerback | Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Round No. 3 | No. 100 overall
Dan Quinn will also be looking for a cornerback with great size and length during the 2024 NFL Draft. Ideally, it will be a similar type the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys have pursued over the years when he was defensive coordinator.
There might not be a ton of quality Day 2 cornerback prospects in this year’s draft due to a top-heavy class. But there are certainly some potential gems if Adam Peters can find the right one.
In a division that features A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, DeVonta Smith, Brandin Cooks, and possibly someone like Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, the Washington Commanders need a cornerback they can lean on to shut down any No. 1 receiver. While it’s unrealistic to expect a third-round pick to reach that sort of level right out of the gate, there’s one that could reach this ceiling in the right environment.
Cam Hart is an ascending, physical cornerback gaining significant momentum. He’s a long, physical corner at 6-foot-3, 202 pounds, and displayed this during the Senior Bowl a couple of months ago.
Hart offers quality football intelligence, competitiveness at the catch point, and the long speed to match with receivers in off-man coverage or Cover 3 zone. He is also a willing run defender and will make plays around the line of scrimmage due to his sufficient closing burst to the ball. This would also give something their cornerback room currently lacks, so it's something to consider if the Notre Dame prospect is available here.