Which way could the Washington Commanders go with their 2024 NFL Draft selections as the free-agent frenzy becomes the focus of attention?
Things are going to get interesting around the NFL. Free agency is about to get underway and a flurry of activity will swiftly follow. The Washington Commanders have a supreme arsenal at their disposal as Adam Peters looks to put his ambitious plans for sustained growth into action.
Peters has warned against expecting any huge spending spree. The general manager wants to adopt a draft-first approach and supplement through free agency. This is something that became successful during his time on the San Francisco 49ers and opened up other avenues as a result.
Washington has $96 million in available salary-cap space. The Commanders have huge needs to fill during what promises to be an eventful offseason. Peters and his staff will leave no stone unturned, but filling every complication through free agency seems unrealistic. That's why having nine draft selections is a tremendous security blanket to call upon.
This is a critical offseason for the Commanders. Peters can lay down a marker and let the NFL know this is an organization going places under competent ownership. Turning this storied franchise into a contender might take time, but the resources are there to make this dream a reality much sooner than anticipated.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Commanders could spend their NFL Draft picks in a special seven-round pre-free agency mock.
Commanders draft Drake Maye
- Quarterback | North Carolina Tar Heels
- No. 2 overall
There is a lot of discourse about what the Washington Commanders are going to do at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Adam Peters has kept all options open - including a trade-down. Not showing his hand early is wise, but all signs still point to selecting the team's next franchise quarterback.
Caleb Williams is heading for the Chicago Bears at No. 1 overall unless there is a drastic shift in momentum. That leaves the Commanders with the choice between Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye. This has been and will continue to be a hot topic of discussion among fans until the big night.
It's a toss-up, in all honesty. Daniels has positive momentum on his side and boasts legitimate game-changing traits. However, some analysts are wondering whether the signal-caller has already reached his peak following a monumental final college campaign at LSU.
If the Commanders want to bet on potential, Maye might be the way to go. He's the latest college prospect to be over-analyzed and severely criticized throughout the pre-draft assessment stage. He's not the finished product - especially from a footwork and timing standpoint - but the scope for growth is huge if he develops under Washington's improved coaching staff.
The Commanders might not be able to start Maye right away, which is fine. But whichever avenue those in power go down, it has to be right.
Commanders draft Kingsley Suamataia
- Offensive Tackle | BYU Cougars
- No. 36 overall
Releasing Charles Leno Jr. means the Washington Commanders are on the lookout for a new left tackle to go along with their rookie quarterback in this scenario. If Kingsley Suamataia makes it this far down the pecking order, those in power would be wise to seriously consider the possibility.
The cousin of All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell is a little raw, but his athleticism is absolutely off the charts. Suamataia has the impressive size and explosiveness needed to excel in pass protection. While his technique needs a little refinement, there is a lot to like about his chances to take on coaching effectively and become a starting option.
That might not happen right away, but it will sooner rather than later. His standout performance at the NFL Scouting Combine only lent further weight to these claims.
Commanders draft Kamren Kinchens
- Safety | Miami Hurricanes
- No. 40 overall
We're about to reach the tipping point between Kamren Curl and the Commanders. No new deal has been agreed upon as yet. There is still time for that to change, but general manager Adam Peters should be working on contingency plans in case the former seventh-round selection takes his chances elsewhere.
If the Commanders lose Curl in free agency, Kamren Kinchens makes a ton of sense. The hard-hitting Miami prospect is a well-rounded backend factor at the safety position capable of impacting the game in all phases. He could go much higher, but it would be a difficult proposition to turn down in this scenario.
Curl is a good player, but everyone has a price. If the Commanders think they could get more for less, the chances of his departure increase exponentially.
Commanders draft Payton Wilson
- Linebacker | NC State Wolfpack
- No. 67 overall
As it stands right now, the Washington Commanders are in desperate need of help at the linebacker position. There should be a healthy amount of prominent veterans set to hit free agency, but going down the college route for a longer-term solution is also something for Adam Peters to consider.
Payton Wilson ticks the boxes. He's a little on the older side and does have some injury red flags, but the production as a genuine sideline-to-sideline threat would be a tremendous asset to call upon. There is also a lot to like about his on-field intelligence, which identifies offensive packages pre-snap extremely well.
Even if the Commanders go down the free-agent avenue for immediate help at the defensive second level, picking up Wilson at this stage of the draft wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
Commanders draft D.J. James
- Cornerback | Auburn Tigers
- No. 99 overall
Kendall Fuller's future is also under a cloud until further notice. The veteran cornerback looks set to get offers from elsewhere when the free-agent frenzy commences. The Commanders should make an effort to keep him around, but the new regime won't overpay as part of their ambitious plans to take the franchise forward.
Even if Fuller stays, the Commanders need another dynamic cornerback capable of assisting from a coverage capacity. D.J. James looks like an intriguing prospect boasting a nice blend of quick-twitch changes in motion and instincts to track receivers downfield.
At 5-foot-11, he could have trouble going up against more physically imposing wideouts at the next level. But his skills are in keeping with the sort of cornerbacks Dan Quinn had so much success with on the Dallas Cowboys.
Commanders draft Austin Booker
- Edge rusher | Kansas State Wildcats
- No. 101 overall
The edge rusher position might be a more pressing priority than this during the draft. Trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young mean replacements must be sought. But looking at the money available and the options set to hit the market, the Washington Commanders could find difference-makers via the free-agent pool.
In this scenario, the Commanders can turn their attention to a developmental project pass-rusher with a high upside. Someone like Austin Booker fits the bill despite his lack of experience. He's got plenty of intriguing athletic intangibles that can be molded into something more.
If Washington finds the right free agents, there wouldn't be a great deal of pressure on Booker to be anything more than a depth piece right out of the gate. The Commanders also have an exceptional coaching staff to help the player fulfill his undoubted promise.
Commanders draft Theo Johnson
- Tight End | Penn State Nittany Lions
- No. 138 overall
The Commanders acted swiftly to reunite Kliff Kingsbury with a player he knows well. Veteran tight end Zach Ertz signed a one-year deal that could be worth up to $5 million with incentives. While he's far from the force of old, knowing the system well should ensure a smooth transition providing there are no more complications on the health front.
That said, the Commanders could still use another physically gifted player in the position to develop. John Bates, Cole Turner, and Armani Rogers are still around, but nobody knows what the new regime thinks of this trio or what sort of future they'll have in Washington.
Theo Johnson has the size, catch radius, and athleticism to become a factor in the passing game over time. Expecting miracles overnight is unrealistic, but the prospect could easily become a situational pass-catcher from the tight end position within Kingsbury's expansive scheme.
Commanders draft Luke McCaffrey
- Wide Receiver | Rice Owls
- No. 178 overall
Adding to the wide receiver room is a realistic objective the Washington Commanders can attain in free agency. If those in power opt to wait, then this is a deep group of college pass-catchers to exploit to their advantage.
Other needs should take priority as it stands. If the Commanders opt to wait until Day 3 of the draft for wide receiver help, then someone like Luke McCaffrey is a gamble those in power could take.
McCaffrey - brother of Christian and son of former wideout Ed - might not have the accomplished career of his family members. That said, he's got assured hands, enough speed to impact matters further downfield, and he knows how to get open quickly. That makes him an intriguing option at this stage of the draft.
Commanders draft Prince Pines
- Offensive Line | Tulane Green Wave
- No. 222 overall
The Commanders also need to find upgrades on their offensive line interior. In this scenario, general manager Adam Peters allocates a significant amount of financial resources in free agency to solve the matter. Regardless, finding depth options from a deep draft class could be an option to contemplate if the right opportunities present themselves.
Prince Pines is a huge body that has the physical profile to develop further with the right coaching. His run blocking is more accomplished than his pass sets based on the prospect's college output at Tulane. He's a work in progress beyond any doubt, but the Commanders can buy themselves some time to mold his traits into something better by finding some veteran pieces to fill the void in 2024.