Commanders news: Jayden Daniels, Adam Peters, Jordan Magee and Chigozie Anusiem

Commanders sleeper pick

The Washington Commanders did a magnificent job of solidifying their linebacking corps throughout the offseason. It's gone from a major weak link to one of the team's biggest strengths in the blink of an eye. Adam Peters made this a high priority and the defense led by Joe Whitt Jr. should benefit as a result.

Despite signing Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner in free agency, that didn't stop the Commanders from picking up an intriguing development piece during the 2024 NFL Draft. Jordan Magee is something of a rough diamond, but the athletic intangibles and instincts indicate he could become a high-impact performer with some extra polish.

This was a sentiment echoed by Doug Farrar from USA Today Sports, who named Magee as Washington's possible sleeper draft pick. The writer sees similarities between the player and Luvu - something that could help him thrive within Dan Quinn and Whitt's creative defensive scheme with a smooth integration into the professional ranks.

"A do-it-all player, [Jordan] Magee had six sacks and 20 total pressures for the Owls last season, as well as 54 solo tackles, 41 stops, and 12 catches allowed on 16 targets for 85 yards, 41 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, no interceptions, two pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 86.7. He’s not unlike [Frankie] Luvu, who has become one of the NFL’s best linebackers in three years with the Jets and three more with the Panthers. Luvu was a “too small” guy who went undrafted out of Washington State back in 2018, so maybe he can tell the 6′ 1⅜”, 228-pound Magee that it’s not how you start, it’s where you finish."

Nobody is expecting miracles from Magee right out of the gate. There's a chance he could carve out a rotational role for himself with a strong preparation period. If not, the former Temple star will be brought along gradually and allowed to learn from Luvu and Wagner - two prolific performers who've done it all.