Commanders news: Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Shaka Toney and draft factors

Adam Peters and his staff are finalizing plans and solidifying their board ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Washington Commanders are in a strong position to strengthen key positions of need and bolster depth with their nine selections. They also have an accomplished talent evaluator running the show for the first time in years.

This is only raising expectations about the Commanders winning this draft above everyone else. Much of the speculation remains on which quarterback the team will take at No. 2 overall, but the need to find a franchise-caliber left tackle to protect their new rookie signal-caller must also be addressed as a matter of extreme urgency.

Speculation remains rife, but it's a guessing game until further notice. There's an air of anticipation with plenty of unknowns attached. That's exactly the way Peters wants it after ensuring his front office became a tight-knit unit working in unison during his first draft at the helm.

Excitement is building to exponential levels. While we wait for further developments, the stories accumulating column inches include Drake Maye praising the Commanders' alternative assessment approach, signs still pointing toward Jayden Daniels heading into the big night, Shaka Toney's departure, and Washington's potential draft outlook with Peters leading the charge.

Let's delve into each topic in more detail.

Commanders release Shaka Toney

After being reinstated by the league after serving a one-year suspension for gambling violations, Shaka Toney is now looking for alternative employment. The Washington Commanders released the edge rusher with little fanfare attached, which shouldn't come as a great surprise to fans when one factors everything into the equation.

Toney wasn't exactly a core piece of the team's plans before his suspension. The former seventh-round pick was further down the pecking order than ever under the new regime, who wasted little time in strengthening their pass-rushing options in free agency following the decision to trade Montez Sweat and Chase Young before the 2023 deadline.

Cutting Toney frees up another roster spot for a veteran who could plug a gap that cannot be filled during the draft. Whether this is the end of the player's NFL journey remains to be seen.