The Washington Commanders are gearing up for one of the most important first-round decisions in franchise history. Adam Peters has the No. 2 overall selection, which many believe will be used to pick what will hopefully become their new franchise quarterback. Someone capable of providing stability to a position that's been sorely lacking production-wise since Kirk Cousins bolted in free agency.
It's been a thorough process with very few leaks emerging from the organization. The Commanders hosted Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix Jr. as part of their evaluation process. This was the final chance to examine their personalities before the big night.
Debates have been fierce and speculation rampant among the fanbase and media. Everyone has an opinion and is searching for the slightest clue that might tip Peters' hand. Thanks to the improved professionalism in the building, nobody knows for sure.
Peters is a respected talent evaluator who's done some great things in front offices around the league. His primary objective is getting this call right to improve what's been an indifferent period for first-round selections in Washington under previous regimes.
As excitement builds ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, we took a look back and graded the last six first-round selections made by the Commanders.
Dwayne Haskins
- Quarterback | Ohio State Buckeyes
- No. 15 overall | 2019 NFL Draft
Dwayne Haskins' story is a modern tragedy. The Washington Commanders had no business picking the quarterback at No. 15 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for everyone associated with the franchise, Dan Snyder threw his weight around and reportedly demanded the pick be made. It didn't take long to figure out his talent wasn't worthy of such a high-end selection.
Haskins was a standup guy and well-liked by teammates. He never looked comfortable under center and was thrown to the wolves. Once Ron Rivera came in as head coach, the Ohio State product's days were numbered.
The signal-caller started 13 games before the Commanders cut ties. He ended up with the Pittsburgh Steelers but tragically passed away after being struck by a dump truck aged just 24 years old.
Grade: D-
This was a bad pick and Haskins landed in the worst possible environment. We can all thank Snyder for that.
Montez Sweat
- Defensive End | Mississippi State Bulldogs
- No. 26 overall | 2019 NFL Draft
Dwayne Haskins wasn't the only first-round pick made by the Washington Commanders during the 2019 NFL Draft. Those in power also secured the services of defensive end Montez Sweat, who had far more success than the quarterback despite being taken 11 spots later.
Sweat quickly emerged as a dependable player capable of impacting proceedings on a three-down basis. Although not the most explosive edge rusher, the former Mississippi State star did a tremendous job of using leverage to his advantage through sound technique and violent hands capable of making things extremely uncomfortable for opposing offensive linemen. With 16 sacks over his first two seasons, the Commanders had a highly productive performer on their hands.
Even though Sweat never reached double-digit sacks, he was consistent and durable. There was also plenty to like about his evolution into a locker room leader - something that became a source of comfort as everything around Ron Rivera crumbled.
As another campaign spiraled out of control in 2023, the Commanders had a big decision to make regarding Sweat. His contract was up for renewal this spring, so Josh Harris' took his first major decision as owner, trading the player to the Chicago Bears for a high-end second-rounder at No. 40 overall.
Sweat hit the ground running in Chicago, becoming the leading sack-getter for both the Bears and Commanders last season with 12.5 in total. Had things been different, Washington might have allocated a hefty financial commitment in his direction. However, it wasn't something in their immediate train of thought as they geared up for a substantial rebuild under general manager Adam Peters.
Grade: B+
Even though Sweat didn't make it to his second contract in the nation's capital, that should not detract from what an outstanding player he became. Unfortunately, someone else will reap the rewards as the Commanders bank on a new group of edge rushers to replicate his production.
Chase Young
- Defensive End | Ohio State Buckeyes
- No. 2 overall | 2020 NFL Draft
When the Washington Commanders landed the No. 2 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, new head coach Ron Rivera had the chance to make a big statement. There were two stud college quarterbacks available after Joe Burrow went to the Cincinnati Bengals. Instead, those in power went with a defensive end prospect who came into the league with generational traits.
Chase Young was an absolute phenom at Ohio State with all the transferable tools needed to carve out a successful career for himself. Things looked extremely promising early on as the edge force won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. After that, things spiraled quickly.
Young endured some rough luck on the injury front. He couldn't put a consistent run of games together over the next two seasons and seemed to lose the explosiveness he was typically associated with in college. The player also seemed to become disillusioned with how things were transpiring throughout Rivera's disappointing four-year stint at the helm.
Much like the situation with Montez Sweat, the Commanders had to offer Young an extension in 2024 after deciding not to pick up his fifth-year option. Despite staying healthy, he was shipped to the San Francisco 49ers for nothing more than a compensatory third-round selection.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have. Maybe it was Dan Snyder's insistence Dwayne Haskins could become a franchise signal-caller. Maybe it was some reluctance around the quarterback class. But the Commanders would have been in a much better spot had they gone with Justin Herbert or Tua Tagovailoa instead.
Grade: D
Young is about to get another opportunity with the New Orleans Saints. If he fluffs his lines in the NFC South, it's hard to envisage a scenario where someone else gives him starting reps. As for the Commanders? They have the No. 2 pick again to kick off another new era. Adam Peters will not be making the same mistake of passing on a quarterback.
Jamin Davis - Commanders LB
- Linebacker | Kentucky Wildcats
- No. 19 overall | 2021 NFL Draft
Ron Rivera didn't make many significant investments in the linebacking corps throughout his time as head coach. There was almost an ignorant reluctance to give the defensive second level the respect it deserved. It came as no surprise to see this become a constant weak link.
The Washington Commanders did spend a first-round pick on Jamin Davis in 2021. He's a physically imposing linebacker who hasn't quite put everything together as yet. The numbers have been decent - gaining 269 tackles and seven sacks in three seasons - but there remains some untapped potential that could be something more.
Rivera didn't know how best to utilize Davis' outstanding skill set. His deficiencies in coverage were exposed within Jack Del Rio's defensive scheme more often than not. Opportunities to rush the passer became extremely limited despite the former Kentucky star flashing real promise in this area.
While it's unlikely the Commanders will pick up Davis' fifth-year option this offseason, all hope is not lost. With Rivera gone, new head coach Dan Quinn is the sort of creative schematic implementor that can help the player reach new heights. Expect him to be used far more creatively, perhaps even in a role similar to how Micah Parsons is deployed on the Dallas Cowboys.
Grade: B
If Quinn can unlock the spark inside Davis, a career year for the player won't be too far behind. He's dynamic enough to become an impactful edge rusher who can also excel against the run from a more outside position. The Commanders also got themselves two dominant interior enforcers after signing Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner in free agency.
This should provide Davis with an added level of security to be instinctive. Quinn will give him the freedom to flourish, but the player must maximize the significant opportunity in front of him as he looks to cement his status with the franchise long-term.
Jahan Dotson - Commanders WR
- Wide Receiver | Penn State Nittany Lions
- No. 16 overall | 2022 NFL Draft
The Washington Commanders needed to find a dynamic playmaker to go alongside Terry McLaurin in the wide receiver room. Ron Rivera's offense became far too reliant on the veteran to produce thanks in no small part to the lack of consistency under center. This led the franchise to Jahan Dotson at No. 16 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Dotson was an explosive playmaker at Penn State. He created separation at will and was a significant threat to gain yards after the catch. While the player has flashed these exact qualities in the pros, the wideout hasn't quite had the impact many hoped for after two seasons.
First off, Dotson's catch success percentage of 58.3 has to rise in the coming years. There are some concentration flaws and the player has issues catching the football in traffic. But get him into open space and that's where the magic happens.
With 84 receptions for 1,041 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns over his first two years, it's been a solid if not spectacular start to his NFL journey. Dotson hasn't met the expectations normally associated with a first-round pick, but there's still time for that to change.
Grade: B
If the Commanders can find their franchise quarterback at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury maximizes his gifts within his expansive scheme, Dotson could be set for the breakout campaign most thought would arrive under Eric Bieniemy last time around.
Teams generally get a good sense of what a player is or could become after their third season. Dotson is entering a critical Year 3 of his professional career and the Commanders will likely bolster their wide receiver options at some stage during the 2024 NFL Draft. This only raises the stakes further for someone with all the physical gifts needed to be a genuine difference-maker.
Emmanuel Forbes - Commanders CB
- Cornerback | Mississippi State Bulldogs
- No. 16 overall | 2023 NFL Draft
Emmanuel Forbes quickly became the apple of Ron Rivera's eye during what turned out to be his final draft as Washington Commanders head coach and primary decision-maker. The cornerback developed a ballhawk reputation at Mississippi State, coming down with 14 interceptions in three seasons - six of which he returned for touchdowns.
There were major concerns about Forbes' slender build and how it might hold up against more physically imposing NFL wide receivers. That didn't deter Rivera, who selected him at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft despite Christian Gonzalez - a projected top 10 pick - falling into their laps.
Fans were approaching the pick with cautious optimism. However, it didn't take long to realize Forbes was going to go through some significant turmoil as a rookie.
Forbes got a rude awakening in no uncertain terms. He was outmatched physically and became a liability in coverage. Rivera tasked him with huge responsibilities - often against the opposition's No. 1 wideout. It was a challenge he simply wasn't ready for.
Being baptized twice by A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles seemed to shake his confidence tremendously. Rivera eventually benched Forbes to take him out of the firing line. Things didn't improve much when he returned to the lineup, so the jury is still out as to whether or not this was the right call.
Writing off Forbes after one season would be foolish. He was hung out to dry by Rivera and Jack Del Rio as they desperately tried to save their jobs. Hopefully, Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s outstanding credentials when it comes to enhancing the development of defensive backs is something that can help him bounce back in 2024.
Grade: Incomplete
Forbes has the athleticism and instincts needed to potentially carve out a long-term role for himself. But if he doesn't respond to coaching this offseason and continues to struggle when competitive action resumes, concerns will grow around his long-term aspirations.