The Washington Commanders have been connected to three possible quarterbacks ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft due to reports of a trade-down candidate. With draft day approaching, there is some speculation across the league about who the Commanders will select in 2024.
Washington would have like to select quarterback Caleb Williams, a Washington, D.C. native who is largely regarded as the finest talent in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the Chicago Bears remain committed to selecting him and have never expressed an interest in moving down the draft board.
While Chicago is not a trade-down prospect, Washington has officially stated that it is willing to move down. However, recent NFL news indicates that option is unlikely to be pursued. With Washington likely keeping the second overall pick, the decision comes down to quarterbacks.
Throughout the 2023 college football season, North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye was widely regarded as the second-best passer in the incoming class and a franchise-caliber prospect. However, a bad year with the struggling Tar Heels football program created opportunities for his peers across the country.
LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels broke out in 2023, earning the Heisman Trophy and emerging as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft rankings. Meanwhile, Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s value began to rise as he and his team celebrated winning the national championship, and the pre-draft process has propelled him into the anticipated top ten picks.
Which quarterback will the Commanders draft?
Amid a slew of NFL Draft rumors claiming that McCarthy, Maye, and Daniels are all strong candidates to be drafted second overall, there’s a little better vibe around the league.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic asked five NFL executives to determine who they expect the Commanders will choose second overall. Three executives chose Daniels, two chose Maye, and only one believed McCarthy would be Washington’s quarterback.
Notably, according to Howe, McCarthy had the best Pro Day performance of the three quarterbacks, with one executive commenting that the Wolverines’ quarterback “killed his workout” in March. However, Daniels remains the frontrunner in the NFL, and if he is not chosen, Maye is expected to take his place. One thing is certain: the new-look Commanders’ front office is keeping its preferences in-house, with clarity not expected until April 25.
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