Commanders shouldn't think twice about prioritizing this position in 2024 draft

In this range, it's highly tempting to select a flashy name who could turn into a franchise-altering superstar. USC's Caleb Williams, considered the biggest QB prize of this draft class, is almost certainly going to be the first player off the board, but North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels, the presumptive Heisman favorite, might be available for Washington. Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and Georgia TE Brock Bowers will also be enticing skill-position options.

Let's not overthink this, though. Washington's biggest need is on the offensive line. It doesn't matter who the team's quarterback or weapons are if the offensive line remains this bad -- it will have a very hard time winning football games. 

Sam Howell is not the problem. Even as he has struggled with turnovers in recent weeks, he continues to make enough big-time plays to lead one to believe he can be Washington's franchise QB of the future. Had he simply been a first-round pick with this same production, no one would even be entertaining the thought of replacing him after one season as a starter.

The idea that Maye (who it's worth noting was once Howell's backup in college) or Daniels would automatically become upgrades over Howell just because they're considered better prospects, is foolish. Just take a look at the San Francisco 49ers, who spent the third overall pick in 2021 on Trey Lance... yet ended up with 2022's "Mr. Irrelevant" Brock Purdy as their starter on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Drafting Harrison or Bowers would make even less sense, as All-Pro pass-catchers are historically found very deep in drafts. Tyreek Hill and George Kittle were fifth-rounders. Antonio Brown was a sixth-rounder. Antonio Gates was undrafted. And, once again, no receiving threat in the world would fix Washington's most glaring hole. 

The Cincinnati Bengals were in a similar position in 2021 and drafted Ja'Marr Chase with the fifth pick. Chase has emerged as one of the league's best WRs, and yet if Joe Burrow -- who has suffered two season-ending injuries in four years -- has his career ruined by poor protection, one has to question if it was worth it.

Long story short, the performance of quarterbacks and receivers is highly dependent on those around them. That's not true for offensive linemen, who are the glue that holds offenses together. This upcoming draft has two elite OL prospects in Penn State's Olu Fashanu and Notre Dame's Joe Alt. One of them should be Washington's pick, without hesitation. 

If Howell doesn't improve in 2024 and the team still lacks a difference-making weapon, then you address those things next time. The 2025 draft will surely also have plenty of highly touted prospects at those positions. For now, though, the Commanders must focus on fixing the biggest thing that needs to be fixed and that's the offensive line. It's not the sexiest position, but it makes a difference.