Commanders 7-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Free agency clues edition

Commanders select Drake Maye

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

It seems fairly obvious in which direction the Washington Commanders will be going with their top draft selection. The hope of Sam Howell potentially being the franchise quarterback the team was searching for never came to fruition. An eight-game losing streak to conclude the campaign sealed his fate.

Reports of late have slated LSU’s Jayden Daniels as the favorite to be selected No. 2 overall in this year’s NFL Draft. However, it is still too early to say who the legitimate favorite is within the organization. Just ask the Carolina Panthers, who last season were rumored to have C.J. Stroud as their preferred candidate before landing with Bryce Young as their choice at No. 1 overall.

With the expectation that USC’s Caleb Williams is selected No. 1 by the Chicago Bears, it makes sense that the draft's consensus No. 2 is selected by the Commanders when they go on the clock.

Some have made an argument for Drake Maye to be the best quarterback in this draft - a fair evaluation as many draft analysts have their preferences of style of play at the most coveted position in the sport. Williams is no doubt an elite creator of plays, but the North Carolina prospect is a great playmaker in his own right.

The former four-star high school recruit is a natural talent at the position with high-level arm talent, quality athleticism, and terrific off-platform and out-of-structure ability. While Maye has had his lapses on film, it is hard not to be excited about the player he could with his three-level ability and physical gifts under center.