What should the Washington Commanders do with their selections in the 2024 NFL Draft after the first few days of free agency?
NFL free agency is underway. The Washington Commanders have been one of the most active teams in the league. General manager Adam Peters entered the crucial recruitment period with the NFL's most available salary-cap space and has taken full advantage.
With new head coach Dan Quinn and his emphasis on having a strong defense, some of their biggest signings came on that side of the ball. The biggest contract the Commanders gave out was a three-year, $33 million deal to former Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Dorance Armstrong, who should boost their options after Chase Young and Montez Sweat departed.
Two other moves on defense that caught my eye were the additions of former Carolina Panthers cornerstones - linebacker Frankie Luvu and safety Jeremy Chinn. These are two players who will fit seamlessly on Quinn’s defense.
Other signings to note from the last couple of days include center Tyler Biadasz, offensive guard Nick Allegretti, running back Austin Ekeler, and former No. 2 overall pick quarterback Marcus Martiota. The one-time Philadelphia Eagles backup signal-caller could be a sign of the times for incumbent starter Sam Howell.
Hidden in the chaos of free agency is the start of pro days around the country. While the important ones are still a couple of weeks away, Commanders fans should begin marking their calendars for the respective events at USC, North Carolina, and LSU.
Free agency has reset some of the expectations for what the Commanders may do in Day 2 or later of the NFL Draft. Using the Pro Football Network simulator to dissect, here's how Peters may go with Washington's selections following a busy start to the league year in a special seven-round mock draft.
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.
Commanders select T.J. Tampa
- Cornerback | Iowa State Cyclones
- Round No. 2 | No. 36 overall
One thing Washington Commanders fans should know about Dan Quinn is that he loves long and physically talented cornerbacks.
Look at the type of starters he had at the position during his time as defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks. Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner, Trevon Diggs, and Stephon Gilmore are all cornerbacks with quality size and length overall to go along with their natural talent.
Adding another such player to Washington’s secondary would be a nice welcome for a defense I expect to play fairly well in 2024.
Sure, T.J. Tampa comes in much lighter than you would expect for a Quinn cornerback at just 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds. However, he showcases the long arms that make him an intriguing option based on body type. Skill set-wise, the Iowa State prospect has the makings of a quality starter at the next level.
The former first-team All-Big 12 offers ample closing speed that allows him to play and support the run fairly well. On top of that, Tampa is explosive and attacks the football with relentlessness. His ball skills will raise the eyebrows of Commanders fans.
Tampa isn’t a fluid athlete and in preliminary viewings, was somewhat inconsistent with his zone capabilities. Regardless, the upside is there for the ex-Cyclones star to be an immediate contributor in the Commanders' secondary.
Commanders select Jordan Morgan
- Offensive Tackle | Arizona Wildcats
- Round No. 2 | No. 40 overall
If the Washington Commanders go with a rookie quarterback at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft as expected, they must also realize the importance of protecting their new prized possession. Adam Peters is a smart man, and he's already gone about solidifying the offensive line.
The Commanders are on the right track of doing just that with their signings of Tyler Biadasz and Nick Allegretti. Adding competition or a potential first-week starter at left tackle should be a priority for Adam Peters.
Left tackle is still a significantly valuable position. In this scenario, Drake Maye has the weapons on the perimeter to succeed. It won’t matter if his blindside has subpar play. With the selection of Jordan Morgan, there could be some growing pains, but there is plenty to be excited about.
A two-time first-team All-Pac 12, Morgan plays with ample power and play strength. He displays the prototypical left tackle size at 6-foot-5, 311 pounds, and provides decent functional athleticism, length, and lateral mobility despite tearing his ACL at the end of the 2022 season.
Morgan must improve his technique in the run game while learning how to showcase proper hand usage. What he offers now makes him a potential plug-in-play left tackle who can develop into a quality starter at Maye’s blindspot.
Commanders select Beau Brade
- Safety | Maryland Terripans
- Round No. 3 | No. 67 overall
Washington Commanders fans might be asking why safety is the pick here despite the latest signing of Jeremy Chinn. Despite this acquisition, the versatile weapon could be the team’s WILL linebacker this upcoming season. Signing Bobby Wagner could change that, but it's an option to consider nonetheless.
The former 2020 second-round selection feels like a natural fit at that spot. Chinn can continue to play in the box while using his diverse skill set and elite athleticism to cover opposing tight ends, race to the flats, or be a match defender.
Washington must find a way to address the backend of their secondary, even if that means having a rookie play early and often. Unless Quan Martin moves from nickel to free safety in 2023, it seems unlikely this franchise will move forward with Darrick Forrest and Percy Butler as their two starting safeties if Kamren Curl doesn't return.
I could see Adam Peters and Dan Quinn going the local route with an acquisition at safety in this year’s draft. Just under 45 minutes east of a trip to College Park, the Maryland Terrapins had a playmaker on the backend of their secondary who was a do-it-all type of player I could see the Commanders' head coach falling in love with.
A former three-star high school recruit, Beau Brade is a versatile safety who can come down and play in the box as a big nickel, split-safety, and has the fluidity and athleticism to play as a single-high defender. He is a physical player who can play downhill and provide run support - traits that ensure the prospect sees playing time early in his NFL career.
Commanders select Austin Booker
- Defensive End | Kansas Jayhawks
- Round No. 3 | No. 100 overall
The Washington Commanders have signed pass rushers Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell, and Dante Fowler Jr. to add depth and competition along the defensive front. There’s always a possibility that Adam Peters chooses to add another starter at the 5-technique through free agency. Regardless, I think they should continue adding to the room.
What made the Dallas Cowboys pass rush great was the amount of depth and talent that was provided and used. Sure, they had Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence as their starters, but Armstrong and Sam Williams were also a part of that as well. Both of whom are starters on other 4-3 base defenses around the league with less talent.
Austin Booker would be a great choice at this point in the draft. The former Kansas Jayhawk was a critical piece of their defense this past season, totaling nine sacks and leading the Big 12 in pressures. Dan Quinn values defensive talent which is matched by supreme effort. The prospect offers that and so much more.
Booker is quite explosive off the line with adequate length and flexibility. He’s also a sufficient run defender who plays physically and well in pursuit. While he must continue to add more moves to his pass rush arsenal, he could be an impact starter in a couple of years for this Commanders defense.
Commanders select Malik Washington
- Wide Receiver | Virginia Cavaliers
- Round No. 4 | No. 102 overall
As previously discussed, the Washington Commanders must begin to build around their rookie quarterback, whoever that might be. They have two terrific wide receivers, Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. This makes the need for another playmaker not as high in the draft considering the amount of talent and depth at the position.
Adam Peters could easily take another receiver on Day 2. However, on the third day of the player selection event, there could be some hidden gems that teams may overlook during the process. One of those players might be Malik Washington.
The first word that comes to mind when thinking about Washington is explosiveness. Despite being 5-foot-9 and 191 pounds, the Virginia prospect ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash with a 42.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-6 broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine. This translates well to his film, which is highly impressive overall.
Washington can be a three-level threat in the professional ranks due to not just his explosiveness but also his ability to win as a route runner and utilization of space within run-after-catch situations. Should Curtis Samuel sign with a new team, the Commanders could draft his replacement rather than spend resources on another free agent.
In this scenario, Washington could be used in a variety of different alignments by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and potentially make an immediate contribution.
Commanders select Theo Johnson
- Tight End | Penn State Nittany Lions
- Round No. 5 | No. 139 overall
It might not be ideal for the Washington Commanders to enter the season with Zach Ertz and John Bates as its No. 1 and No. 2 tight ends on the roster. They must add depth to the position while also searching for more quality talent in free agency.
Does Ertz sound like a nice veteran seam-beater that Drake Maye would love? Sure, but he’ll be 34 years old in October.
It would be wise for Washington to consider adding younger talent at the position that can flash or display the ability to win after the catch. Acquiring someone with the athleticism to be a potential threat in yards-after-catch situations would also be beneficial for their new rookie signal-caller.
Another potential Day 3 gem that Adam Peters could fall in love with is Theo Johnson. At 6-foot-6 and 257 pounds, the Penn State prospect is an elite athlete who was one of the best overall performers at the NFL Scouting Combine, raising many eyebrows with a Relative Athletic Score of 9.98 out of 10.
Johnson is the type of tight end that Maye could enjoy having as a weapon to throw to. He offers impressive vertical explosiveness to win consistently down the seam while having the speed to win on crossing routes and make things happen with the football in his hands.
Commanders select LaDarius Henderson
- Offensive Tackle | Michigan Wolverines
- Round No. 6 | No. 179 overall
Teams must begin to add more quality depth to their offensive lines. Over the years, that has become a premium and the Washington Commanders must follow suit if they want to maintain continuity up front when it comes to protecting the future of the franchise.
Thankfully, the Commanders are in for a treat this draft cycle. The offensive line group overall bolsters sufficient talent on Day 3 which could allow fans to breathe better on Sundays. After Adam Peters released starting left tackle Charles Leno Jr., it would be wise to double-dip on the edge in pursuit of increasing competition and competitiveness across the depth chart.
LaDarius Henderson is a former Arizona State transfer-turned-national-champion at Michigan. At 6-foot-4 and 309 pounds, he has a great frame and adequate length that allows him inside-out versatility along the offensive line. He plays with good leverage in the run game with a powerful upper body that bolds well in both phases.
While the chance of Henderson starting right away is remote, this could be a nice development piece and depth chart asset as the prospect improves problem areas of his game. There is enough athleticism and functional strength to suggest this could be an intriguing option for Peters with the Commanders' penultimate pick.
Commanders select Ainias Smith
- Wide Receiver | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 7 | No. 222 overall
At this point of the draft, teams typically select players for depth and development. Every position could use improvement at all times, especially at the wide receiver spot. The Washington Commanders must consider different types of pass-catchers to go after in free agency and the NFL Draft.
However, they could get a two-for-one package with some of the talents in this draft class. One of them could be Ainias Smith.
Smith could be classed in this particular category and not a specific position in that he can play both running back and wide receiver while providing value in the return game. This could allow Jahan Dotson to become more of a focal point heading into a critical Year 3 of his professional career.
The Texas A&M prospect is a ball of energy that is tough to stop and provides value as a slot receiver and route runner. He’s a smaller player and it's evident with his lack of catch radius and play strength. But get the football in his hands and good things tend to happen.
Smith would be a quality depth and development selection late in the draft. The Commanders are light of wide receiver options outside of Dotson and Terry McLaurin - especially if Curtis Samuel doesn't return. This is the perfect draft to rectify that.