When you’re a team entering the NFL Draft, you better have backup plans for all seven rounds. That goes double for the Washington Commanders, who have nine picks, including six in the top 100.
Here’s our Commanders 2024 big board, with 60 names to consider across all three days. Prospect rankings from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler are included in parenthesis if the player is slotted in the top 100. (An asterisk indicates those with a confirmed or reported “30” visit.)
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2024 NFL Draft rankings: Dane Brugler breaks down the top 300 prospects
Day 1
The second overall selection appears straightforward, with Caleb Williams expected to go first to the Chicago Bears. However, Washington’s draft strategy is far from clear. While the team’s intention to pick a quarterback is evident from the pre-draft activity, the specific target is mysterious. This uncertainty adds intrigue to the draft process, leaving three potential options open.
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Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (8)*
Daniels’ massive development as a dual-threat quarterback who stresses defenses, brings significant starting experience and fits offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme makes him a strong candidate. He’s been my selection in various mock drafts since early March. His 2023 production — 40 touchdown passes, four interceptions, 3,812 passing yards and 1,134 rushing yards — and upside make a strong case. My lean is toward Daniels, accordingly.
Now, it’s hard to say whether the Topgolf group outing, featuring four quarterbacks, was a stroke of tactical genius or an experiment that didn’t quite go as planned. Like many aspects of annual pre-draft coverage, the scenario is likely overblown. Adding to the intrigue of the situation, as it has been the primary note here for weeks, is that the team has kept information under wraps.
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (4)*
As you can see in the rankings, Brugler prefers the 6-foot-4 pocket passer with athleticism and aggressiveness. That’s not a solo opinion. The rub for me is that, based on numerous conversations, the variance of opinion regarding Maye’s future is wider than that of Daniels. There are concerns about his footwork, throwing mechanics and readiness for the NFL game. Maye is also experienced in the “Air Raid” system from his time with the Tar Heels and is a big-play machine.
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J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (21)*
I believe McCarthy going somewhere in the top 3-11 is real despite pushback from those citing his limited usage for the national champion Wolverines relative to historic high first-round picks. The ceiling is probably lower than the other two, but McCarthy’s ability to throw on time and other intangibles might raise his floor. I also came back to a quote from an NFL general manager about pre-draft noise run amok around the time I compiled sources for a quarterback prospect overview:
“I find it almost malpractice that someone would record (or) write that it is absurd Washington might choose McCarthy at two because he is ‘supposedly’ the fourth QB in this draft.” The point: Even if the public consensus has McCarthy QB4, Washington might not.
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Trade targets for the back end of the first round
Names to consider if Washington uses its draft capital to acquire a second first-round pick
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia (19)
This hulking, 6-foot-8, 340-pound lineman impressed in pass protection and might get attractive for Washington should he slip past the Cincinnati Bengals (No. 18) and Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 20). Mims’ lack of experience (eight career starts) makes him a long-term play.
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma (24)
There’s a similar story here with another gigantic but inexperienced lineman. Guyton is one upper-tier tackle who could slip closer to the end of Round 1.
Jordan Morgan, G/T, Arizona (29)*
Morgan is the one top-30 offensive lineman prospect per Brugler’s ranking that Washington reportedly brought in for a “30” visit. The 2023 first-team All-Pac-12 selection started three seasons at left tackle for the Wildcats. The potential rub is that some evaluators see the 6-foot-5, 311-pound selection shifting to guard.
Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State (26)*
The Commanders put together a passable edge rotation in free agency, but the group lacks Robinson’s athletic explosiveness. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash time at 254 pounds.
Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa (27)
The Commanders need more cornerback depth and playmaking from the secondary overall. Whether the staff views him as a corner or safety, DeJean’s tackling and anticipatory coverage skills get attention.
Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri (35)
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound first-team All-SEC selection is a tweener evaluation. Whether coming off the edge or taking reps inside, Robinson offers energy and production.
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Day 2
Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington (69)*
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston (59)
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame (73)
Kiran Amegadjie, Yale (87)*
Finding a left tackle ranks high on the Commanders’ needs list. After two campaigns on the left side, the 6-foot-5, 308-pound Rosengarten started all 28 games at right tackle for the Huskies the past two seasons with southpaw Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback. Perhaps the closest plug-and-play tackle option for the Commanders’ early second-round choices, Rosengarten ran the fastest 40-yard time among any lineman at the NFL Scouting Combine. Some see him as a top-50 selection.
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Paul’s incredible measurables — 86 1/4-inch wingspan — put the three-year left tackle starter into the second-round conversation for teams convinced they can coach him into an NFL starter. Fisher, 21, started the previous two seasons at right tackle. Allowing for a developmental adjustment may put him in a position to replace Andrew Wylie in 2025. Amegadjie is an excellent size and length prospect to mold.
Marshawn Kneeland, DE, Western Michigan (32)*
Chris Braswell, DE, Alabama (67)*
Austin Booker, DE, Kansas (78)*
Bralen Trice, DE, Washington (82)
Look beyond next season. Washington’s 2025 pre-draft rotation is Dorance Armstrong, and …? That uncertainty is why taking one or two defensive ends/edge rushers makes sense for a defensive-oriented head coach. Despite only 10 1/2 sacks and 26 tackles for loss over his final 32 games, public and league evaluators are excited about what comes next for Kneeland, a potential top 35-50 selection.
Braswell is stronger than his 6-foot-3, 251-pound frame suggests, while his 40 time (4.64) at the combine ranked fifth among defensive ends. Though only two career starts, Braswell tallied eight sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and a team-high three forced fumbles in 2023.
Booker, a 267-pound transfer from Minnesota, had eight sacks, 12 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last season in the most extensive usage of his burgeoning career. Trice’s “violent play style” led to seven sacks and 11 1/2 tackles for loss en route to third-team All-American accolades.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas (57)*
Jared Wiley, TE, TCU (89)*
There’s no denying Washington’s lackluster tight end room. The question is what level of investment would make sense. Sanders, one of eight FBS players with at least 45 catches in 2023 who didn’t drop a pass, is a significant receiving threat. The 6-foot-6 Wiley can post up defenders, as evidenced by his FBS-leading five red zone touchdown receptions last season.
Keon Coleman, WR, Floria State (37)
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia (31)
Washington hasn’t been publicly active with the wide receiver class, but Coleman checks off various needs with size (6-foot-3) and production (11 touchdowns in 2023). For a rookie quarterback, having a route-running presence capable of playing outside or in the slot like McConkey is ideal.
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M (46)
This mention is about eying a potential best player available fit for Dan Quinn’s desires. Brugler describes the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Cooper as having “outstanding closing speed to chase down the ball from any pursuit angle … rangy and covers more ground than the average linebacker.”
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T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State (55)
Part of any cornerback consideration is that Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis are 2025 free agents. The 6-foot-1 Tampa offers good size and “doesn’t lose much separation and plays with the size, range and ball skills to be disruptive.”
Mekhi Wingo DT, LSU (95)
The San Francisco 49ers’ front office, with Adam Peters, coveted defensive linemen who blasted forward after the snap. The 284-pound had the fastest 10-yard split among defensive tackles at the combine.
Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State (39)
Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida (45)
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington* (52)
Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky (54)
Max Melton, CB, Rutgers (63)
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State (71)
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina (76)
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan* (77)
Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (79)
Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State (80)
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee (83)
Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky* (86)
Marshawn Lloyd, RB, USC (91)
Zak Zinter, G, Michigan
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Commanders NFL Draft 2024 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs
Day 3
At this stage, the Commanders will have made six selections, barring trades. Therefore, potential targets will be about filling roster blanks or taking flyers on talent — or possibly a pair of legacy receivers.
Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
Erick All, TE, Iowa*
Brandon Coleman, G/T, TCU (66)*
Isaiah Adams, G/T, Illinois* (75)
Christian Jones, OT, Texas
Caedan Wallace, OT, Penn State
Dylan McMahon, C, NC State
Javion Cohen, G, Miami
Jalyx Hunt, DE, Houston Christian*
Gabriel Murphy, DE, UCLA
Mohamed Kamara, DE, Colorado State
Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami
Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DE, Notre Dame*
Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP*
Darius Muasau, LB, UCLA
Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame*
Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College*
Beanie Bishop, CB, West Virginia*
Beau Brade, S, Maryland
(Top photo of Chris Braswell: John David Mercer / USA Today)
