Washington Commanders head Coach Dan Quinn said the phone is ringing for their second-overall pick, and they are answering.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported earlier today that the Washington Commanders are taking phone calls regarding their second-overall pick for the 2024 NFL draft.
“Yes, I would say it’s ringing, and because, like you said, of the talent of the group this year,” Quinn said. “And so I would anticipate him fielding these calls as it goes through, and usually it’s not necessarily later than No. 6 or 7, but those people who are usually in the top four or five, there’s somebody that somebody has targeted, and I think it’s mostly like ‘Well, I’ve got to take a shot!’
As Quinn works with general manager Adam Peters for April’s draft, it will all depend on what the Chicago Bears do with the first pick. After the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Steelers, most signs point to USC prospect Caleb Williams being the front-runner to be selected No. 1 overall. But what happens after Chicago’s pick remains unknown.
Washington Commanders Selection at #2
The Commanders need to improve their roster, one of the most pressing being at quarterback. If the Commanders decide to move back from their second overall selection, they may lose out on the name on top of their draft board.
“I would say it’d be fair to envision we’d be taking a quarterback,” Quinn said. “To say where it’ll be happening, I think that’s a better question for (general manager) Adam (Peters). As the next weeks unfold there’ll be a lot of discussion, and that’s why we’ve had a great trip out seeing some guys, we’ll do that some more in the weeks ahead, but I’ve enjoyed that process with Adam, and going through it. He’s somebody that is an absolute expert at this position, what it looks like, where to go, and so going through that process has been really cool.”
Who would the Commanders take?
Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye? That is the question.
After Daniels’ Heisman season, he has shot up every draft board. He has even entered some conversations as the top overall selection ahead of Caleb Williams.
Caleb seems to have cemented his place as first overall, but Jayden is the favorite for the Commanders at number two. Jayden has a big arm, is very accurate, and has track star speed. He had NFL talent outside with two wide receivers that could be drafted in the first round, and he played in an offensive system resembling what Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury would try to run.
Drake Maye would be the first overall selection in any other draft year. Besides being in the same draft class with Williams and Daniels, his most significant issue was the drop-off from 2022 to 2023. Maye didn’t have a lot of help on his roster at North Carolina, which, in turn, caused his play to drop off. He seems to have every intangible necessary to be successful in the NFL, but he doesn’t “wow” NFL scouts as much as the other two options.
The Commanders have had active free agency, bringing in pieces that fit Quinn’s system and culture, which he is trying to instill. The Commanders are looking to make a large jump with their first-year head coach, so their decision to trade back or take a quarterback will be highly anticipated.
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