This is not an especially good quarterback draft class. However, there are always teams in desperate need that gamble on athletic upside becoming more with the correct development.
Something that could work in the Washington Commanders' favor when it's all said and done.
Adam Peters only has five selections as things stand. The Commanders were incredibly active in the trade market to give quarterback Jayden Daniels a helping hand, securing wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and left tackle Laremy Tunsil. That will help immediately, but it does make the general manager's life more difficult when the draft rolls around.
Peters will probably look to get that number up at some stage. The front-office leader was eager not to rule anything out, keeping all options open and having the willingness to strike with conviction when opportunities arise. There are still needs for the Commanders to fill, but they also have enough flexibility to take the best prospects available as part of their long-term project.
The earlier Washington trades back, the better. This gives Peters more chances of extracting premium value for a falling prospect who is valued higher by someone else. And what better option than football's most pivotal position?
Cam Ward is going No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans. That looks like a done deal reading between the lines. Everything is in flux aside from that, including where Colorado prospect Shedeur Sanders ends up.
Sanders won't make it to No. 29. There are rumors Jaxson Dart might go higher than people anticipate. The same goes for Tyler Slough, who is arguably the most pro-ready from a technical standpoint without boasting Ward's unique physical attributes.
Commanders could benefit greatly from Jalen Milroe's late draft buzz
Then, there's Jalen Milroe.
He's among the most polarizing prospects emerging from the college ranks this year. There's also a growing sense that the Alabama signal-caller is going to go no later than early in the second round.
Milroe believes it'll be higher than that. He's accepted an invitation to attend the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. Nobody wants to be that guy waiting around. The dual-threat weapon thinks he's done enough to convince one team to make him a first-round pick.
This was a sentiment echoed by Daniel Jeremiah from the NFL Network during his latest appearance on the Up and Adams show. The respected draft analyst thought the Cleveland Browns could potentially trade back into the first round for Milroe. Especially considering all signs are pointing toward the AFC North club taking two-way phenom Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall.
Daniel Jeremiah expects the Browns to draft a QB, but not at #2 overall. 👀 @heykayadams | @movethesticks pic.twitter.com/a3e3qm667d
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 7, 2025
If the quarterback-needy teams want to jump the queue, it'll be music to Peters' ears. Nothing extracts maximum compensation than moving up for a quarterback. The Commanders would be able to exploit this by shifting back, bolstering their capital this year and possibly next along the way.
Much will depend on the prospects around at the time and whether Peters gets an offer worth considering. But in the Browns' case, they are certainly in the quarterback market after their Deshaun Watson experiment blew up in their face.
Peters will have a plan for every scenario and possibility imaginable. If the likes of Milroe, Dart, and Slough are still around at No. 29, the Commanders might be able to instigate a bidding war.
That's a win-win.