Commanders news: Jayden Daniels, Austin Ekeler, J.J. McCarthy and trading up

We made it.

It's officially 2024 NFL Draft week, which formally ends the speculation and fierce debates around which quarterback the Washington Commanders will select at No. 2 overall. This will come as sweet relief to most fans, many of whom have become weary of the process and the constant swirling of information - most of it misinformed and not coming from within the building.

Adam Peters stated that the Commanders are close to making their choice. They expect to reach an agreement early this week, although the team's long-suffering support might have to wait until the big reveal on Thursday before receiving confirmation.

While we wait for further developments, the stories causing conversation include late support for J.J. McCarthy, running back Austin Ekeler on the potential addition of a new quarterback, league sources believing the pick will be Jayden Daniels and the prospect of trading back into the first round.

Let's delve into each topic in more detail.

Late support for J.J. McCarthy

The Washington Commanders have kept all options on the table and Adam Peters is refusing to rule any of the potential candidates out of the running. He all but conceded that they are happy to stay at No. 2 overall and not entertain any trade-down offers. Which signal-caller will be the guy remains a mystery, for a few more days at least.

One prospect who's gained eye-catching support among sportsbooks in recent days is J.J. McCarthy. While Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye remain ahead of him in the pecking order, the Michigan product isn't without his fans despite being part of a run-first offense on the college football national champions.

This confirms one thing above all else - nobody has the first clue what Peters and his staff are thinking. The Commanders have run a tight ship this offseason with no leaks emerging from the organization. It's a far cry from the shoddy football operation under Dan Snyder - something that represents a breath of fresh air as Washington embarks on an exciting new era.

McCarthy cannot be dismissed entirely, but it's also worth remembering that similar momentum came the way of Will Levis in the days before the 2023 NFL Draft. He fell out of the first round entirely, so take everything with a pinch of salt until further notice.