Washington Commanders fans, we’re almost at the 2024 NFL Draft and the start of a new era for football in the DMV. It's been a long time coming, but the time has finally arrived.
This has been one of the more anxiety-driven pre-draft cycles for fans. The Commanders have spent the last eight months scouting and evaluating the top quarterbacks in this year’s class. It comes down to North Carolina’s Drake Maye, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels for the No. 2 overall selection.
One way or another, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn will be coming away with their new starting quarterback and potential face of the franchise. However, they also understand that their roster isn’t up to par in some critical areas outside the prized signal-caller position.
They have left and right tackle needs, which is never ideal for a rookie quarterback. The Commanders also need to add more talent in their defensive backfield, which could mean starting a couple of rookies this upcoming season.
Washington won't move out of their premium selection. Some pundits have slated this pick to be the true start of the draft with Caleb Williams expected to be selected No. 1 overall. However, the draft truly starts at No. 3 overall, with the New England Patriots being a potential trade-back candidate at the top of the order.
This mock draft is no longer just a scenario that could play out in this weekend’s draft. It leans toward a more predictive route to give you my best guess on what the franchise may do over the coming days as they look to build their roster.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, I predict the direction the Commanders go within their nine draft selections, including six in the first 100 selections. Without further ado, here is the final seven-round mock draft of the 2024 cycle.
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Commanders draft Drake Maye
- Quarterback | North Carolina Tar Heels
- Round No. 1 | No. 2 overall
Many pundits have selected Jayden Daniels as the No. 2 pick, though reports have made it clear that the decision has yet to be made on the selection. I believe the dilemma here is the style of play at the position.
Do the Washington Commanders want someone who can force defenses to play true 11-on-11 and be a true nightmare with his legs, or do they want the prototypical passer with a big arm and plenty of athleticism but phenomenal pocket navigation ability and field vision?
These are the discussions Dan Quinn and Adam Peters are having. I believe that when it comes down to a final verdict, Drake Maye will be the selection at No. 2 overall.
During my film evaluations, I came away very impressed with Daniels' skill set as a passer and runner. He is arguably the most accurate quarterback in the class and processes the field very well. However, I had questions about his ability to work and attack the middle of the field.
His arm is good but not elite and Daniels sometimes struggles to attack secondary anticipation windows. With Maye, I have very little concern with him in these respective areas.
The stylistic comparisons of Maye to Justin Herbert make a ton of sense. He has above-average athleticism, an arm that allows him to attack all levels of the field consistently, elite pocket management skills, and the field vision to work through progressions and reads at a high level. The North Carolina prospect will have the usual rookie struggles at his position due to the current roster environment, but he does have a nice tandem of wide receivers to work with in Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.
Maye is my No. 2 ranked quarterback and an easy top 10 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. This makes a lot of sense and offers the skill set to thrive in Washington, giving the District of Columbia its new potential face of sports in the area.
Commanders draft Roger Rosengarten
- Offensive Tackle | Washington Huskies
- Round No. 2 | No. 36 overall
There is a misconception that Roger Rosengarten had a horrible game in the national championship against Michigan’s terrific defense. I don’t believe that to be true based on my film evaluation. The former Washington Huskies right tackle had a rock-solid game that looked rough due to Michael Penix Jr.’s inconsistencies in maneuvering the pocket and attempting to make plays on the move.
Rosengarten is an offensive tackle prospect I’m higher on than the consensus. His near-elite movement skills, mirroring ability, and football intelligence make him a potential starter at right tackle - or left tackle - in zone-blocking schemes. With Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's schematic concepts, the fit makes a ton of sense.
The former four-star high school recruit must add lower-body mass and overall core strength to provide a more consistent anchor and knee bend in pass protection. The building blocks, however, are there for Rosengarten to improve and become an even stronger player in the trenches.
For the Commanders, it's about building your franchise for the future. This selection would signal that exact mindset.
Commanders draft Roman Wilson
- Wide Receiver | Michigan Wolverines
- Round No. 2 | No. 40 overall
This may come as a surprise for Commanders fans. But in a draft with a historically deep group of wide receiver prospects, I expect this team to get involved in the fun. Plus, it would be good to have three explosive playmakers on the roster for Drake Maye to utilize in this scenario.
Roman Wilson shows 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. He struggles with consistency issues at the line of scrimmage due to his smaller 5-foot-10, 186-pound frame. This could keep him from being a consistent winner on the outside at the next level.
However, in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, Wilson will be moved around a lot to attack different defensive weaknesses. His route-running ability, ball-tracking skills, and athleticism make him one of the most underrated receiver prospects in the draft.
Wilson can be deployed immediately as a No. 3 receiver in Trio or Trips 3-by-1 formations, as an off-ball Z-movement receiver that can be motioned for run-after-catch opportunities, or the true slot in Trey formations. Either way, the Commanders would be getting a playmaker for the offense to pair with Maye, Jahan Dotson, and Terry McLaurin.
Commanders draft Javon Bullard
- Defensive Back | Georgia Bulldogs
- Round No. 3 | No. 67 overall
Quan Martin spent time last season as the starting nickel for the Washington Commanders defense. With the lack of true talent in the secondary this season, it makes a lot of sense to put him on the backend as the single-high safety due to his closing speed, range, and coverage skills.
So, who replaces Martin at nickel back or spends time with him as a split-safety in Cover 2 or quarters?
Give me one of “my guys” for the 2024 draft in Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard. This is an explosive and nimble player who flies downhill in a hurry. He displays a level of physicality at the catch point and in run support that Dan Quinn would be impressed with.
The former national championship defensive MVP offers high-level football intelligence and overall awareness that make him a disciplined defender in the secondary. Bullard has enough hip fluidity and athleticism to play nickel while offering split safety and box versatility on the backend.
Commanders draft Bralen Trice
- Defensive End | Washington Huskies
- Round No. 3 | No. 78 overall
After moving on from Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the trade deadline last season, the Commanders have re-stocked at the defensive end spot with Dorance Armstrong and Clelin Ferrell as the current starting pass rushers. However, I believe there is still a need to add more depth and talent to the position to go alongside K.J. Henry and Dante Fowler Jr., specifically when it comes to generating pressure.
Washington Huskies pass rusher Bralen Trice lacks the elite bend and is inconsistent in establishing natural leverage. What he does offer is impressive production over the last two seasons and is one of the most consistent pressure generators in the country.
Trice offers explosiveness, power, and a baseline set of pass rush moves and counters to win early in the NFL. While the prospect will need to add more strength and mass to his 6-foot-3, 259-pound frame, he’ll likely be a part of a platoon at defensive end as the Commanders aren’t in the best position to acquire a franchise edge presence at this time.
The defensive MVP from the college football playoff semifinal against Texas can develop into a potential starter during his rookie contract. Given recent arrivals, there's also a sense of freedom for Trice to develop gradually.
Commanders draft Khyree Jackson
- Cornerback | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 3 | No. 100 overall
When I think of Dan Quinn-types at cornerback, I think of the tall, lengthy defensive backs that can provide a baseline consistent skill set in zone coverage or press-man. When watching Khyree Jackson, he came off the screen as the type of player the Washington Commanders head coach would draft at his position.
Jackson led the Oregon Ducks in passes defended and interceptions, using his 6-foot-4, 196-pound profile to high point and attack the football. He flashed some of these skills when he was originally at Alabama before transferring to Eugene. His jams at the line of scrimmage allowed the defensive back to be quite effective in press-man situations.
There will be inconsistencies in Jackson’s game such as the need to improve his route recognition in off-man and zone drops along with being more consistent with his eye discipline in these coverage disciplines. However, based on the current status of the Commanders' cornerback room, he could see playing time almost immediately with a smooth transition.
Commanders draft Tanner McLachlan
- Tight End | Arizona Wildcats
- Round No. 5 | No. 139 overall
Zach Ertz won’t be around for long as the Commanders starting tight end. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if this is his final season in the NFL. While he will be a steady veteran presence, Adam Peters must begin preparations for the future.
Thankfully, the Arizona Wildcats offer a talented seam threat that could go higher than where he is projected. Tanner McLachlan won’t be Rob Gronkowski 2.0. But with his basketball background, the sixth-year senior shows he can box out defenders and make plays at the catch point.
At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, McLachlan offers a quality frame and impressive athleticism that allows him to be a threat in run-after-catch situations. He isn’t an explosive athlete by any means. However, he has shown to be a reliable blocker in the run game.
This shows that former honorable mention All-Pac 12 tight end can play plenty of roles - whether it’s the F-move tight end, Y-slot, or in-line. McLachlan will need to add more polish as a route runner and blocker in both the run and pass. Playing behind a former Pro Bowler such as Ertz should help with his development at the next level.
Commanders select Javon Solomon
- Defensive End | Troy Trojans
- Round No. 5 | No. 152 overall
I mentioned previously that the Washington Commanders could run a platoon of sorts at the defensive end opposite Dorance Armstrong. The defense needs extra juice, especially in their pass-rush rotation and NASCAR packages with all-defensive ends on the line. One player I’ve come to like as a Day 3 value pick is Troy pass rusher Javon Solomon.
The name might sound familiar to big college football fans. Solomon led the country last season in sacks while also leading the Trojans in forced fumbles and tackles-for-loss. Not only is he productive but he also offers some of the best bend and explosiveness in the draft.
His natural bend and leverage along with above-average length and hand size allow him to display glimpses of attacking the apex and bending the corner while offering speed-to-power via long-arm. Solomon will likely be limited to a rotational role at the next level due to his small frame for a defensive end and lack of sufficient play strength. He is the definition of a true third-down pass-rush specialist and would fit that bill in Washington quite well.
Commanders draft Fabian Lovett
- Defensive Line | Florida State Seminoles
- Round No. 7 | No. 222 overall
This portion of the draft is mostly saved for depth and developmental talent. The Commanders could use plenty of it to help their rebuilding process under Adam Peters.
The odds of a seventh-round selection becoming a gold mine of success are very rare unless you’re Brock Purdy. While the roster features two defensive cornerstones in interior linemen Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, adding more depth doesn’t hurt anyone, nor does it for Washington.
Fabian Lovett was a key piece of the Florida State Seminoles' defense during the 2023 season. A team captain last season, he offers incredible power, an astounding wingspan of over 83 inches that will allow him to use long arms and hump moves to shave off blocks, and a strong anchor at the point of attack.
This is not the most explosive player and he will sometimes come off the line late. However, Lovett can control what's in front of him and maintain gap integrity. This should give the Commanders depth, especially against the run, and a talent worth developing either on the 53-man roster or the 16-man practice squad.