Commanders projected to have top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft

Optimism is high surrounding the Washington Commanders in 2024. A plethora of changes from top to bottom across the franchise injected life back into their disillusioned fanbase. Many are wondering just what this new-look operation might be able to accomplish with a genuine long-term plan in place.

Projections are sketchy in 2024. Some analysts are expecting head coach Dan Quinn to oversee marked improvements and potentially contend for the NFC East. Others think it will take a little longer for their ambitious strategy to bear fruit, which isn't uncommon given the drastic alterations made in such a short space of time.

Being more competitive and displaying some fighting qualities is the minimum requirement. After that, the Commanders can begin to dream of postseason contention and challenging for honors once again. If that happens quickly, great. But nobody should panic too much if it doesn't - providing there's no drastic drop-off.

Commanders projected to secure No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft

Lou Scataglia from NFL Spin Zone thinks things could get worse before they get better for the Commanders. He projected them to have the No. 4 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, which the writer thinks should be utilized on an elite-level offensive tackle prospect to protect star quarterback Jayden Daniels.

"I personally did not agree with the Washington Commanders selecting Jayden Daniels over Drake Maye, but here we are. The Commanders roster still needs a good bit of work, and they seemed to hire a good-not-great coach in Dan Quinn, so this could be another rougher year for the Commanders, who probably are not eyeing being super competitive in 2024. Them picking fourth overall would not be the worst thing ever, as they could get a blue-chip tackle prospect, which is a position they totally botched this offseason."

- Lou Scataglia, NFL Spin Zone

Having a top-five selection bursts the positivity bubble to a certain extent. There are too many unknowns to say one way or another where the Commanders will land in the draft standings at this juncture. But this projection could very well come to fruition all things considered.

It might go the other way, especially if the Commanders start well and build some early momentum. Quinn comes with a big reputation and is widely respected, but Washington resides in a competitive division and won't have things entirely their way by any stretch of the imagination.

Picking high next spring wouldn't be the worst scenario in the world. It's not ideal - especially considering the hope enveloping the organization. However, if Daniels shows enough to suggest he's on course to be a franchise-caliber quarterback, that'll be the biggest positive imaginable regardless of results.

Fans shouldn't be expecting the Commanders to go from worst to first in the NFC East. They shouldn't expect Quinn to mastermind a Super Bowl run in Year 1 of his tenure. But at the end of the day, they just want a team to be proud of.

That's something the Commanders can attain whether they end up with a winning record or not. This projection suggests Washington has an uphill battle on their hands in 2024, but that could change quickly if everything clicks into place with Quinn leading the charge.