Mock drafts will change once NFL teams start signing free agents next week. Priorities then shift accordingly. That goes triple for the Washington Commanders.
Roughly a dozen Week 1 starters from the 2023 campaign, including specialists with a clear path to keeping that status, remain on Washington’s roster. That includes quarterback Sam Howell, whose role becomes murky the moment the Commanders, as anticipated, select a quarterback with the second overall selection in April’s draft.
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Commanders enter free agency with much to ponder: What’s the plan for Sam Howell?
Not that Washington will automatically spend madly on 2-3 free agents despite having $80.5 million in salary-cap space, according to Over The Cap. Considering the number of roster holes, it has no choice but to add help. Priorities in the early rounds may change depending on those free-agent signings.
For now, we embrace the relatively blank slate for this Commanders mock draft. Let’s play out their nine picks in this first attempt, mentioning alternative selections and one trade thought as of today. By Monday, the beginning of the league’s legal tampering period, we might need to start over.
Round 1 (No. 2): Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Dane Brugler’s rank: 8
This shouldn’t be so confusing. Only one player (USC’s Caleb Williams) from the entire class is off the board. One position will be in the mix if Washington doesn’t trade down. The public debate is between two players, at least for now. And yet, there seems like a better chance for consensus on who the NBA’s GOAT is (it’s Michael Jordan) than Daniels or Drake Maye as QB2.
While public analysts generally send Maye to the Commanders, anonymous executives and league sources lean Daniels. General praise for the 6-foot-4, 223-pound Maye starts with his prototype size, while the analysis of Daniels’ explosive playmaking is more passionate. Concern with Maye’s footwork is a deal-breaker for some. The Heisman Trophy-winning Daniels’ thin frame and penchant for taking on bad-intentioned defenders spooks a cadre of evaluators thinking of his long-term future.
What matters most is what general manager Adam Peters and Washington’s staff think. They seek mobility, leadership and good deep-ball passing. The group may ultimately covet the asset haul that comes with trading down. As the Commanders returned home from the NFL combine, consensus remained elusive. Therefore, why should the rest have a definite answer? For now, the more passionate side wins out. By tomorrow, maybe not.
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What would a potential trade-down from No. 2 look like for Commanders?
Brugler: When evaluating the quarterback position, NFL teams focus on the ability to create explosive plays. And Daniels accounted for a remarkable 90 plays of 20-plus yards in 2023. As a passer, Daniels has balanced feet and uncoils with a rapid release to layer throws to all three levels, doing his best work on deep throws (slot fades, posts, etc.). With his poise and athletic instincts, he can buy time, access different platforms or create explosive runs. However, he must do a better job preserving his lean body instead of trying to prove how tough he is as a finisher. It isn’t meant to be an apples-to-apples comparison, but Daniels forces opponents to defend him like Lamar Jackson.
Alternate pick: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Round 2 (No. 36): Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Brugler’s rank: 38
There’s nothing ideal about the Commanders’ line needing 2-3 new starters, but this is a good class for such an issue. Brugler’s big board has 13 linemen in the top 50. Beyond the positional importance, Washington’s only replacement options for Charles Leno Jr. are Trent Scott, Braeden Daniels and Alex Akingbulu.
Should Washington re-sign free-agent swing tackle Cornelius Lucas or another left tackle candidate, the 6-foot-5, 326-pound Suamataia could kick inside initially or play right tackle if the staff prefers Andrew Wylie at guard. That’s where Wylie played for the 2019 Super Bowl-winning and 2020 AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Brugler: Suamataia played in an offense that wanted to run the ball downhill and was happy to oblige, displaying range and initial pop as a drive blocker. He is nimble in pass protection with the strength to lock down rushers. However, his timing, technique and recognition skills are currently immature parts of his game. Suamataia offers experience on both ends of the line. His 1,342 offensive snaps were split between left tackle (48.8 percent) and right tackle (51.2 percent).
Alternate pick: Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri
Possible trade: Washington ships Nos. 36 and 101 to San Francisco for picks 31, 132, 214 and 249, then selects Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson with the late first-round pick. The 49ers have 11 picks and are over the salary cap, per Over The Cap. This allows them to move some of those picks, take on a smaller second-round salary and bump up 31 slots from 132 to 101. The Commanders jump at one of the remaining high-end pass rushers.
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2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades shake up Round 1; QBs, WRs dominate early
Round 2 (No. 40): Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
Brugler’s rank: 51
The Commanders are woefully thin with edge rushers. Their top five options from Week 1 last season are free agents or play elsewhere. KJ Henry shined at times during his rookie season. Perhaps Andre Jones Jr. cracks the rotation, but relying on either for significant snaps in 2024 feels aggressive.
The concern at draft time is whether the pool of pass rushers available in the second round is worth diving into. That’s especially true after Penn State’s Robinson and Missouri’s Darius Robinson wowed at the combine. Kneeland, underrated in pre-combine rankings, was among the “winners” in Indianapolis after posting the top-three cone time among defensive ends and a 34 1/2-inch wingspan. He’s the call over the more established Bralen Trice.
Brugler: If you only watched his Eastern Michigan tape from last season, you would think Kneeland was the next Khalil Mack — ready to leap from the MAC to being a top-10 pick. He isn’t a true speed rusher, though, and needs to develop his rush savvy to be more consistently productive. He hates to be blocked and uses his long arms and bully hands to get loose.
Alternate pick: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Round 3 (No. 67): Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
Brugler’s rank: 77
The previous regime could never figure out the linebacker room despite using a 2021 first-round pick on Jamin Davis and the fact that three coaches on staff, including head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, played the position professionally. Washington needs bodies with plans to use Davis more in pass-rushing mode, and Cody Barton, Khaleke Hudson and David Mayo entering free agency. It’s been years since the roster included a forceful presence at inside linebacker. Wilson ran a 4.43 40-yard dash time at the combine, measuring at an imposing 6-foot-3, 233 pounds.
🎙️Film reviews, fake trades, free agent news:
📽️ @FB_FilmAnalysis‘s conclusions after watching tape on Drake Maye & Jayden Daniels
🏈@mikesmeltz on how frisky Washington should get with acquiring a 2nd first-rounder
💸 Me on the Zach Ertz signinghttps://t.co/JsDEFXqO4m
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 7, 2024
Brugler: Against run and pass, Wilson is quick to trigger (downhill and laterally) and has some impressive GPS numbers for both his speed and ground covered on plays. Although he is an average take-on player and can be late escaping blocks, he never shuts it down and competes with the “every play could be my last” mentality. With double-digit surgeries on Wilson’s resume, medicals will play a key factor in where he is ultimately drafted.
Alternate pick: Marshawn Lloyd, RB, USC
Round 3 (No. 101, compensatory): Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Kendall Fuller warrants a round of applause for being a steady presence on and off the field over his second stint with Washington. Seeing the Commanders re-sign the 29-year-old with knee concerns at a likely annual price tag north of $10 million is hard. Even if the new staff fixes Emmanuel Forbes Jr. after the first-round pick’s trying rookie season and helps 2025 free agent Benjamin St-Juste find a consistent level, there’s a need for depth.
The 5-foot-11 Melton posted a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine and a 40 1/2-inch vertical. His strengths include experience as a boundary and slot corner.
Alternate pick: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
.@RFootball DB Max Melton’s day so far:
– 4.39u 40
– 11’4″u broad
– 40.5″u vertical📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BE3b5TSLo4— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2024
Round 4 (No. 103): Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Brugler’s rank: 97
Lots of you wanted a member of USC’s passing attack from this draft. I’m here to help. Jerry Rice’s son caught 12 touchdown passes on 45 receptions for the Trojans last season. He’s not a behemoth nor a speedster (4.5 40-yard time), but his 6-foot-2 frame helps a receiver room lacking size or a WR3, if Curtis Samuel leaves in free agency.
Brugler: Understandably, it is hard living up to the expectations of being Jerry Rice’s son, but Brenden Rice has become more and more comfortable in his own skin over the years — and his Hall of Fame bloodlines are an obvious plus. Although his separation skills aren’t yet on an NFL level, Brenden Rice was a frequent visitor to the end zone in 2023 (he averaged a touchdown every 3.75 catches), and his budding route athleticism makes him a weapon.
Alternate pick: Austin Booker, Edge, Kansas
“A moon ball by Caleb Williams on the money!”
📺: ABC
📱: https://t.co/M1RwFNxzJl pic.twitter.com/hsOEYcHXYg— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 18, 2023
Round 5 (No. 138): Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Don’t expect Antonio Gibson to return unless there’s a shift for both sides during free agency. That means adding a change-of-pace threat in the backfield with heavy hitters Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Shipley (5-foot-11, 206 pounds) didn’t work out at the combine but, according to The Athletic’s college football insider Bruce Feldman, “one source who has worked with him described him as one of the most explosive athletes in this draft class and believes there’s a lot of untapped potential there.”
The three-year contributor at Clemson rushed for 2,748 yards and caught 85 passes. In this case, Shipley would not only replace Gibson at running back but perhaps as Washington’s primary kick returner (career 26.6 yards per return on 34 attempts).
Alternate pick: Beau Brade, S, Maryland
Round 6 (No. 181): Dylan McMahon, G/C, NC State
Coming away with two offensive linemen among their nine picks seems logical and necessary, even if Washington signs veterans in free agency. McMahon received significant reps at guard and center. The 299-pounder is undersized but wins with athleticism.
Alternate pick: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
Round 7 (No. 220): Kedon Slovis, QB, BYU
Washington selected Heath Shuler third overall in 1994 and backed that pick up with Gus Frerotte in the seventh round. Trading up for the second pick in 2012 was about Robert Griffin III. That didn’t stop the Shanahans from drafting Kirk Cousins in the fourth. With Peters in the front office, the 49ers struck gold by grabbing Brock Purdy with the final pick in 2022. You can see where this is going. Factor in that, in the event of a Howell trade combined with signing a veteran quarterback on a one-year deal, there might be a need for a longer-term backup.
Alternate pick: Jaxon Janke, WR, South Dakota State
(Photo of Jayden Daniels: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
