After an exhaustive few months, the 2024 NFL Draft is almost upon us. For the Washington Commanders, this is one of the most important selection processes in franchise history. Getting everything right is critical in pursuit of a brighter future.
Adam Peters has left an outstanding impression throughout his first few months as general manager. He's installed a level of professionalism where once there was nothing but chaos. The Commanders have filled key needs and put themselves in a strong position heading into the draft. If the new front-office leader can build on this positive early momentum, there's just no telling what this organization might be able to accomplish long term.
Of course, all the excitement centers on which quarterback the Commanders are going to take at No. 2 overall. Peters and his staff have gone through comprehensive assessments of the prospects in contention. Some haven't taken well to how they handled their 30 visits, but this was an unusual way to examine their true personalities rather than the typically robotic interview procedures. They cannot be faulted for thinking outside the box whatsoever.
Speculation and hot debates are raging. This is likely to continue right up until the big night, but Peters declared he's close to making a consensus agreement around which signal-caller is best placed to take the Commanders into an exciting new era.
The hard work doesn't stop there. Peters is armed with a bounty of assets over the remaining rounds. This provides Washington with an extra sense of freedom to be aggressive in pursuit of landing a preferred target if those in power feel like it's a risk worth taking. Something that only adds to the level of fascination.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders might approach their 2024 NFL Draft selections in our latest seven-round mock draft. This includes finding a franchise quarterback and a daring trade along the way.
Commanders draft Jayden Daniels
- Quarterback | LSU Tigers
- Round No. 1 | No. 2 overall
It's been an eventful week for Jayden Daniels. His representation caused a stir by seemingly criticizing the Washington Commanders for how they handled his 30-visit. This, according to his agents as part of damage limitation methods, said it was blown out of proportion. They also spoke with the franchise to clear things up.
In all honesty, this was a proverbial storm in a teacup. The Commanders aren't going to let agents or anyone else dictate what they should do with the No. 2 overall selection. If those in power feel like Daniels is the guy to take this franchise forward, they will pull the trigger.
While there have been very few clues emanating from the organization as part of their new approach to the football operation under general manager Adam Peters, there remains a growing sense around the league that Daniels will be the guy. He's an electrifying prospect riding on the crest of a wave following his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign at LSU. If he carries this to the next level, someone is going to have a franchise-caliber performer on their hands.
Daniels is a supreme dual-threat force with enough arm strength to make throws look effortless downfield. He's got good pocket awareness and goes through his progressions effectively. The one concern centers on his slender build and how his playing style might hold up against more physically imposing defenders in the pros.
Adding more bulk and learning how to evade danger more efficiently through well-timed slides should solve this complication. Aside from that, Daniels looks the real deal. Someone with the intangibles to completely galvanize the Commanders with a smooth transition. He's arguably the most pro-ready signal-caller emerging from the college ranks this year, so the upside is there for all to see.
Commanders trade back into Round No. 1
Adam Peters has the option to trade back into the first round if the right opportunity comes along. The Washington Commanders boast a bounty of assets to make this dream a reality. If one of the offensive tackle prospects high on their board starts to fall, they'd be foolish not to at least explore the possibility.
Peters is probably gauging the landscape as we speak in readiness for this sort of move. In this scenario, a deal is struck with the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 18 overall.
According to DraftTek's draft value chart, the compensation matches:
- Bengals pick at No. 18 = 900 points
- Commanders pick Nos. 36, No. 67, and No. 100 = 895 points
They might need to throw in a 2025 selection to get this deal over the line, but it seems pretty even as it stands. Whether Peters will be able to pull something like this off is another matter, but the possibility is there if a willing suitor can be found.
Commanders draft Olu Fashanu
- Offensive Tackle | Penn State Nittany Lions
- Round No. 1 | No. 18 overall
If the Washington Commanders decide to sacrifice additional assets to trade back into the first round, it must be for an immediate contributor in a position of need. Looking at the depth chart as it stands, finding a franchise left tackle is No. 2 on their list of priorities.
The Commanders released Charles Leno Jr. and did very little to replace him in free agency. Cornelius Lucas re-signed on a one-year deal, but he's nothing more than a swing tackle option rather than someone who could fill a starting void at this stage of his career. Adam Peters has already commented about how strong this class is across the offensive line - expect Washington to take full advantage of this fact.
If Olu Fashanu makes it this far down the pecking order, the Commanders could do everything in their power to go up and land the prospect. Projections surrounding the Penn State standout are sketchy right now. Some have him going in the 5-10 range. Others have him going anywhere from No. 10 to No. 20 depending on which mock draft you read.
This is something the Commanders should be watching intently. Fashanu is arguably the best pure pass protector in this year's class, boasting exceptional athleticism and length to become a Day 1 starter with decade-long upside. There is some work needed to become more forceful against the run, but he's got the size and strength to make strides in this area once NFL-caliber coaches get to work on him.
Fashanu's footwork and technique in passing situations are exemplary. Once the Commanders take their future signal-caller at No. 2, they must firmly set their sights on an edge presence capable of keeping their blindside free of complications consistently.
There is plenty to like about Fashanu's ability to solve this riddle. He might be long gone even by the teens, but the Commanders need to shoot their shot if he falls to an acceptable area of the first round.
Commanders draft T.J. Tampa
- Cornerback | Iowa State Cyclones
- Round No. 2 | No. 40 overall
The Washington Commanders would still have a high-end second-round selection even if they sacrificed one to move up into the first round. This came after those in power took the tough decision to trade Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears - something that gave them another useful draft asset and provided extra financial flexibility for good measure.
There are several ways the Commanders could go with this pick. Finding a wide receiver to go alongside Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson would be great for a rookie quarterback. A couple of tight ends with immediate upside are worth considering too. However, the team needs to find another cornerback relatively early in the process.
The Commanders cannot go into the campaign with Benjamin St-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes as their starting outside tandem. Michael Davis was signed in free agency and can help on the rotation, but the struggles endured last season cannot be ignored.
Kendall Fuller's leaving for the Miami Dolphins in free agency only increases the sense of urgency. Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. can get more of those around, but it's a significant gamble to make all things considered.
Someone like T.J. Tampa is well worth considering at this stage of the draft. He's got impressive size and length for an NFL cornerback, which is matched with eye-catching athleticism and functional strength that makes him an asset against the run for good measure.
Tampa has exceptional fluidity, mirroring receivers well at all three levels of the field. He's an asset in press coverage, getting wideouts off their routes quickly. There's also a lot to like about his football intelligence, which enhances his ability to jump routes with perfection.
There is some work needed from a tackling technique perspective and in terms of hand placement in coverage. That said, the scope for growth is high and immediate working alongside two accomplished defensive back developers in the form of Quinn and Whitt.
Commanders draft Ricky Pearsall
- Wide Receiver | Florida Gators
- Round No. 3 | No. 78 overall
This is projected to be one of the deepest wide receiver classes in recent memory. There are playmakers everywhere you look with many coming into the NFL with genuine WR1 potential. The Washington Commanders didn't do much to strengthen the ranks in free agency. Therefore, Adam Peters needs to find someone who can make an instant contribution.
If someone like Ricky Pearsall was still available at this stage of the draft, it's something those in power might consider. He's not the flashiest wide receiver emerging from the college ranks, but he knows how to get open and boasts exceptional ball skills capable of making touch catches with ease.
Although Pearsall didn't benefit from consistent quarterback production during his final season with the Florida Gators, the dynamic pass-catcher still managed to put together some notable highlights. His hand-eye coordination is off the charts, which is matched by a surprising ability to collect the football under pressure to further bolster his credentials.
One of the most important things any team can do for a young quarterback is to find players capable of creating separation quickly. Pearsall knows how to manipulate opposing cornerbacks either from the slot or the outside. He also stops on a dime at the top of his route stems, which is always a significant asset for any defensive coordinator to counteract.
If offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury can find ways for Pearsall to maximize his speed more effectively, he can become a genuine threat anywhere across the line of scrimmage. The Commanders already have Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson in the wideout room - placing someone like this alongside them could become a prolific trio right out of the gate within a more expansive system.
Pearsall has been unfairly tabbed as a slot specialist throughout the pre-draft evaluation process. While there is a lot of merit to placing him there frequently, adding a little more creativity could help the player reach new heights once he begins his NFL journey.
Commanders draft Theo Johnson
- Tight End | Penn State Nittany Lions
- Round No. 5 | No. 139 overall
The Washington Commanders released veteran tight end Logan Thomas and replaced him with Zach Ertz in free agency. This seems to be a like-for-like move - one that was probably made thanks to the player's previous experience within Kliff Kingsbury's offense. However, it shouldn't prevent those in power from targeting a high-upside prospect at some stage during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Those in power might opt to stand pat and hope the likes of Cole Turner and Armani Rodgers can improve with better coaching. If they feel like more is needed, someone like Theo Johnson is an intriguing mid-round option who makes a ton of sense at this stage of the selection process.
Johnson is the latest in a long line of athletic prospects to come out of Penn State. The former four-star high school recruit is an outstanding athlete. Putting this to better use is paramount once he gets to the pros, but teams always draft players on what they can become rather than their college production.
The prospect has the physical profile to become an in-line threat or lined up as a slot or even outside receiver if the situation dictates. He's an aggressive blocker, accomplished in assisting at the line of scrimmage or the second level with minimal fuss. Johnson also developed his red-zone efficiency last season, enhancing his body control and ability to get the football at its highest point.
If Johnson can improve his route tree and develop more capabilities to create yards after the catch, he's got the scope to be a high-end rotational piece and special teams contributor at worst. At best, he projects as a future starting option capable of creating mismatches in the passing game.
There wouldn't be a great deal of pressure on Johnson to start right away if the Commanders went in this direction. Learning from someone who's been to the top in Ertz will also do wonders for his early development.
Comanders draft Xavier Thomas
- Edge Rusher | Clemson Tigers
- Round No. 5 | No. 152 overall
After trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the 2023 deadline, the Washington Commanders had no consistent pass-rush over the second half of 2023. K.J. Henry showed some promise as a rookie, but it came as no surprise to see those in power acquire several immediate contributors throughout an eventful free agency.
Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. followed Dan Quinn to the Commanders after flourishing under the defensive mind during their time together on the Dallas Cowboys. Clelin Ferrell also came into the fold - a player Adam Peters knows well after recruiting him for the San Francisco 49ers. Couple this with Frankie Luvu and Jamin Davis' ability to rush from the defensive second level, and things are looking a lot stronger.
It might be worth the Commanders identifying another promising prospect from the college ranks a little lower down the pecking order. They had success with a Clemson player last year when Henry came into the building. Someone from the same program offers more potential than most at this stage of the draft.
Xavier Thomas comes with outstanding bend and short-area explosiveness in pass-rush situations. The edge presence displays encouraging speed-to-power moves and finishes plays off with supreme conviction. He's not the biggest - especially if someone wants to use him as a 4-3 defensive end - but there could be a role for his athletic gifts within Quinn's creative system.
There is some significant work needed for Thomas in pursuit of becoming more consistent against the run. He tends to get overwhelmed setting the edge against more physically dominant linemen. This is a concern considering things aren't going to get easier at the next level.
That said, if everything checks out medically - Thomas has had some health complications throughout his time in college - this is well worth a shot here. And hopefully, Quinn can help him come along quicker than anticipated.
Commanders draft Sataoa Laumea
- Offensive Line | Utah Utes
- Round No. 7 | No. 222 overall
As previously mentioned, this is an outstanding draft class for offensive linemen. The Washington Commanders found their starting left tackle in this scenario by trading up to acquire Olu Fashanu. They could use one of their selections lower down the order to bolster depth if those in power feel like it's the right thing to do.
Double-dipping at the wide receiver spot is another option to consider, but the offensive line became a constant source of frustration under previous head coach Ron Rivera. Adam Peters cannot make the same mistakes.
It might be worth taking a flier on Sataoa Laumea with their final selection. The Utah prospect spent his college career as an offensive tackle, but he does look a little undersized to occupy the same responsibilities once he gets to the pros. Switching him to the interior could be worth its weight in gold if the prospect is allowed to develop at his own pace.
Laumea is an absolute mauler in the run game. He plays with a nasty streak that's hard not to love. This is matched by core functional strength and heavy hands that can cause havoc once early momentum is generated.
As is typically the case with late-round prospects, there are potential concerns that must be addressed. Laumea's hand placement can be inconsistent. He tends to lung into his blocks rather than jump into his stance effectively. The player's lack of size and length would make him a weak link if given an edge role, especially against quicker pass-rushers.
It's a risk worth taking and the Commanders aren't giving up much to find out if there is some untapped potential attached. If Peters walked out of his first draft as general manager with this haul, it would be a solid draft and raise further optimism for the future.