Commanders 4-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Embarrassment of riches edition

Commanders draft Drake Maye

• Quarterback | North Caroina Tar Heels
• Round No. 1 | No. 2 overall

This is taking up the majority of speculation, and rightfully so. Ron Rivera's final season as Washington Commanders head coach was a catastrophe. However, it also landed them the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Of course, this is normally the stage where teams look for a franchise quarterback. Sam Howell flashed moments of pure brilliance during his first season as an NFL starter under center. There were also times when one wondered if was deserving of such a distinction moving forward.

One could argue Howell was dealt a bad hand under a lame-duck head coach and a play-caller who refused to operate a balanced offense. That said, there will be no room for sentiment during Adam Peters' evaluation of football's most important position.

Unless the Commanders plan to risk it all for Caleb Williams, it seems like a straight shootout between Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye for the No. 2 spot. Trading down for additional assets will also be discussed, but the Commanders won't have a better chance to solve their complex quarterback riddle.

Maye has the size and arm strength normally associated with productive signal-callers at the next level. His pocket mobility is also vastly underrated. There is supreme conviction in his distribution at all three levels of the field. Making tight window throws look effortless is no problem whatsoever.

There are some concerns. Maye must improve the timing of his throws. He also needs to respect defenses more effectively. Taking fewer risks is going to be essential when he comes up against elite-level athletes capable of punishing every mistake.

That said, there is a lot to work with. Thanks to the presence of Kliff Kingsbury, Anthony Lynn, and Tavita Pritchard, this is also a tremendous landing spot for any college prospect.