What should the Washington Commanders do with their 2024 NFL Draft selections as attention turns away from free agency?
The Washington Commanders are entering the third wave of free agency. So far, they have continued to stay active by adding more depth and potential starting talent on both sides of the football.
General manager Adam Peters has done a splendid job of managing the salary cap, still the third-most in football at more than $50 million. He hasn't given out outrageous contracts like some teams do in the Commanders' position. Early on, there is a possibility this organization will have plenty of rollover money left for the 2025 offseason as the front-office leader continues to build the roster into a hopeful contender.
The reason why the Commanders aren't going on a true spending frenzy is due to the amount of draft capital they have. That includes a mind-boggling six selections in the top 100 and the No. 2 overall pick. This is bound to be where the franchise is selecting their future at quarterback.
It is interesting to see Peters and Dan Quinn continue to build their roster - mainly the defense - into the potential vision that the head coach has for it this upcoming season. That should continue in the upcoming draft.
Using Pro Football Network's simulator, I attempt to add some immediate contributors for the Commanders while also providing an interesting scenario fans must consider in our latest seven-round mock draft.
Commanders draft Jayden Daniels
- Quarterback | LSU Tigers
- Round No. 1 | No. 2 overall
The biggest indicator of the Washington Commanders drafting a quarterback was their recent moves at the position. First, they signed Marcus Mariota to a short-term contract to be the backup. Second, they traded 2023 starter Sam Howell, No. 102 overall, and No. 179 overall to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for selections No. 78 and No. 152.
This gives the Commanders more ammunition in the first three rounds to add numerous potential Week 1 contributors and future starters. But first, they must address who the future of the franchise will be. Momentum is building around Jayden Daniels, one of the favorites to be the No. 2 overall pick.
Daniels comes into the league with a unique path and the accolades to match. After spending time at Arizona State - where he flashed his talent on occasion - he transferred to LSU in 2022. This past season, the dynamic signal-caller won the Heisman Trophy after totaling nearly 5,000 yards of total offense and 50 combined touchdowns. The film, in plenty of ways, also solidifies his phenomenal campaign.
The former four-star high school recruit has a knack for making big plays. Daniels is a legitimate rushing threat that will make you pay if he is given space to run. Not only that, he can beat you with his arm, too. He is a great processor and offers incredible deep ball ability due to layering and touch, while his accuracy is among the best in this draft class.
He figures to be a fit in Kliff Kingsbury's offense, which will allow him to spread the ball around. While everyone has a preference for who the Commanders should take, neither Daniels nor Drake Maye would be bad choices.
Commanders trade back into Round No. 1
The Commanders have enough assets to move back into the first round. Adam Peters makes a deal with Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions, sending No. 36 overall, No. 67 overall, and No. 139 overall for No. 29 overall.
This allows Washington to add another potential cornerstone piece to either side of the ball while having the benefit of another fifth-year option.
Commanders draft Cooper DeJean
- Defensive Back | Iowa Hawkeyes
- Round No. 1 | No. 29 overall
The Washington Commanders need to find a young cornerstone piece for their defense. It doesn't matter if it's along the defensive line, the second level, or the secondary. If there is a prospect of a high caliber falling through the cracks in the backend of the first round, general manager Adam Peters should pounce on the opportunity.
Cooper DeJean began falling through that proverbial crack. This is the most versatile defensive back in the NFL Draft. He can start at perimeter cornerback, nickel, strong safety, or single-high safety at the next level. He is every bit as advertised and is well worth giving up additional capital for in this scenario.
The former All-American Hawkeye enters the league with terrific production, tallying seven interceptions and 13 passes defended in the last two campaigns. DeJean provides superb athleticism, terrific zone awareness, and a high football IQ that makes him as versatile as he is.
There are concerns about DeJean's true position in the secondary once drafted, though that shouldn't be a major complication for the Commanders with head coach Dan Quinn leading the charge. Whether it's at safety or cornerback, the former four-star high school recruit could be a game-changing piece in the secondary for years to come.
Commanders draft Adisa Isaac
- Edge Rusher | Penn State Nittany Lions
- Round No. 2 | No. 40 overall
Despite adding Dorance Armstrong and Clelin Ferrell in free agency, the Washington Commanders should still pursue additional talent and potential starting talent at the defensive end spot. Don't expect them to enter the season with those two as the main starters on the edges.
Penn State has blessed the NFL with two incredibly gifted and athletic pass rushers with plenty of upside, Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac. The former ended up being mocked to the Detroit Lions at No. 36 overall, leaving his former teammate as the potentially best available pass rusher on the board.
Darius Robinson was still available. However, with a year of building and development, Isaac seemed to be the more logical choice.
Isaac is slightly undersized at 6-foot-4 and 247 pounds. He offers quality bend and overall explosiveness, an element Dan Quinn could utilize on his defense. His flashes of speed-to-power are impressive and could allow him to be effective early in a rotational role.
A former four-star high school recruit, Isaac does offer some alignment versatility. That said, his size may keep him as a 7-technique or at the wide-9.
This might not be the year the Commanders draft their cornerstone pass rusher. That may come next year. Right now, it's about building depth and developing talent. Isaac is worth the risk.
Commanders draft Roger Rosengarten
- Offensive Tackle | Washington Huskies
- Round No. 3 | No. 78 overall
The Washington Commanders could use some help at both left and right tackle. If general manager Adam Peters could find a quality talent to compete for the starting right tackle job, that would be a nice boost for the team offensively. Using the Seattle Seahawks' original third-round pick, he lands one of the better right tackles in the draft.
When draft pundits refer to a Washington Huskies offensive tackle, they are usually focusing on Troy Fautanu, who is likely to be one of the first edge protectors drafted this year. However, his teammate Roger Rosengarten has continued to impress and increase his stock from a potential Day 3 selection to a mid-Day 2 possibility.
Coming in at 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds, Rosengarten is a well-built right tackle with ample athletic ability. He has quality lateral mobility that allows him to mirror defenders sufficiently.
As a run blocker, Rosengarten offers surprising power, though his overall play strength is lacking at times due to his lack of mass and true density. He wins as a technician but must improve his overall consistently in both facets along with added play strength.
Rosengarten can be a starter early on in his career. Considering the state of the offense as it stands, he may get a chance for prominent reps immediately with a smooth transition.
Commanders draft Jermaine Burton
- Wide Receiver | Alabama Crimson Tide
- Round No. 3 | No. 100 overall
Having sufficient wide receiver depth is always crucial for any NFL offense. The Washington Commanders are no exception to that.
Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Dyami Brown are a solid trio of receivers if the former North Carolina star finally starts fulfilling his promise. However, the loss of Curtis Samuel to the Buffalo Bills in free agency will sting if they don't find a contributor at the position at some point during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jermaine Burton is an interesting prospect. Overall, he's someone would could be labeled as a long-term player. Not in the sense he will be the future at the position, but more so that he'll be in the league for a long time because of his consistent skill set. Think of Jason Avant or Jerricho Cotchery as good comparisons.
Burton wins in two phases that have allowed other receivers in the league to succeed - route running ability and run-after-catch skills. The former four-star high school recruit does those things well while also winning vertically and understanding his surroundings when attacking zone coverage.
Jayden Daniels, or whoever is drafted at No. 2 overall by the Commanders, will have a quality receiver to target in the passing game in Burton. His skill set also compliments what McLaurin and Dotson bring to the table.
Commanders draft Javon Foster
- Offensive Tackle | Missouri Tigers
- Round No. 5 | No. 152 overall
With any rebuilding team, finding talent in the later rounds to develop long-term gives them the benefit of quality depth down the road or potentially even starting ability. This applies to the Washington Commanders, who need to find a diamond in the rough along their offensive line from an exceptionally deep class in 2024.
Having offensive line depth is critical for any team. In this case, the Commanders land a player that provides them just that. Someone who could potentially develop into a potential starter with patience.
Javon Foster has the tools, power, and overall athletic ability that could intrigue general manager Adam Peters. The Commanders also have a desperate need for a long-term left tackle despite re-signing Cornelius Lucas to a one-year deal. Asking the Missouri prospect to assume blindside responsibilities immediately is a stretch, but the potential is there to start with the correct early development.
The former three-star high school recruit offers physicality in all facets of his game and flashes the ability to be a force in the run game. While Foster has plenty of flaws and inconsistencies from a technical aspect, he brings plenty of appeal as a developmental offensive tackle who can provide Washington with a dependable backup option.
Depending on what unfolds in free agency before this, don't be surprised if the Commanders identify a left tackle much sooner. Perhaps even in the trade-up scenario pointed out earlier.
Commanders draft Omar Speights
- Linebacker | LSU Tigers
- Round No. 7 | No. 222 overall
We're at the point of the draft where the Washington Commanders are adding depth and youth to their roster. The probability that they find the next London Fletcher or Jason Kelce this late in the draft is quite low, but not impossible.
Prospects taken in the sixth or seventh rounds are usually competing for a spot on the 53-man roster or providing depth at their respective position. The Commanders have worked hard to increase competition through free agency, so it'll be interesting to see things unfold once preparations for the 2024 campaign begin.
Omar Speights is someone who could provide depth for the Commanders' linebacker room. While undersized at 6-foot-0 and 229 pounds, the LSU prospect brings plenty of effort and a high motor that could make him a potential special teams ace. On the field, he shows good eyes and doesn't get baited to misdirection often. In the run game, he'll bring some decent pop in his pads.
Speights was originally an All-Pac 12 linebacker at Oregon State before transferring to the Tigers this past season. He missed three games due to a hip injury. However, he showed enough during the regular season to be a potential late-round draft selection considering his previous accolades playing up west.