One bold prediction for every Commanders draft pick in 2024
By Dean Jones
Adam Peters was lauded for the way he manipulated the board to his advantage during the 2024 NFL Draft. The Washington Commanders got some high-impact prospects and intriguing development pieces from their nine selections. Now, the onus is on head coach Dan Quinn and his accomplished staff to mold them into effective professional players.
This journey begins at the team's upcoming rookie minicamp and will continue once the entire roster comes together in the weeks ahead. The Commanders have set themselves up well for improvements next season and beyond, but the foundations must be laid by ensuring this draft class becomes a success.
Anything less comes with potentially grave consequences attached. For example, if Jayden Daniels cannot become the franchise-altering quarterback many hope, it will be the biggest possible bump in the road in Washington's quest to assume their rightful place among the leading contenders once again.
That's a worst-case scenario and hopes are high currently. With this in mind, we made one bold prediction for every Commanders' draft pick heading into their rookie seasons in 2024.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste - Commanders DE/OLB
- 30 percent of defensive snaps.
The Washington Commanders took a flier on Javontae Jean-Baptiste with their final selection of the 2024 NFL Draft. He's an edge rusher with some enticing athletic intangibles that could be molded into something more with the right coaching. Making an imposing start to life in the nation's capital is crucial, but this could legitimately go either way.
Jean-Baptiste doesn't have the frame typically associated with productive NFL defensive ends. That said, Dan Quinn knows how to put players with exceptional athleticism to good use within his expansive defensive scheme. If the former Notre Dame standout can prove his worth as a stand-up rusher capable of getting into the backfield quickly from the defensive second level, the Commanders might be onto something.
If Jean-Baptiste comes out of his rookie campaign with 30 percent of the team's defensive snaps under his belt, it'll be considered a great achievement. One that would provide hope that the Commanders found a steal.