Commanders' Rooting Guide for 2024 NFL Draft Implications of Week 14

There have been some exciting developments for the Washington Commanders in 2023, but the real buzz for the franchise is all geared toward 2024.

That's when the franchise will likely be looking for a new head coach and looking toward the 2024 NFL draft that could bring multiple difference-makers to the franchise. Based on Tankathon's metrics, the Commanders have the third-most draft capital going into Week 14.

The sale of the team to Josh Harris wasn't finalized until the Summer so this offseason marks his first real chance to define what his era as owner will look like.

If the Commanders could kick off that era with a top-five pick it would be cause for even more excitement. By trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the trade deadline, the Commanders acknowledged that they are in a rebuild.

For fans, it might be hard to actively root for a loss, but it's not a problem to look across the league and find a few games that might help them move up the draft board. Here's three that could have an impact this week.

Bears over Lions

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Justin Fields

The Chicago Bears might not be in the playoff race, but they don't really have a reason to tank. For one, they are still in the running to get the No. 1 pick regardless of how they play because they have the Carolina Panthers draft pick.

The potential to get that pick also adds some pressure on Justin Fields and Co. to perform. If the Bears get the No. 1 pick, they will have the tough choice of moving forward with Fields as their franchise quarterback or using the pick to take USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye.

That gives Fields the rest of the season to prove that's not the right path.

Thus far, the jury is still out. Fields came back in Week 11 from the thumb injury that forced him to miss four games. He looked good against the Lions, rushing for 104 yards and taking just two sacks in a 31-26 loss on the road.

However, the offense was completely stagnant in a 12-10 win over the Vikings. Fields threw for 217 yards, but lost two fumbles and the offense didn't score a touchdown.

Now, the Bears get a chance to avenge the loss to the Lions in Fields' first home game since the injury. A Bears win would be nice for the Commanders' cause. They are only a half-game ahead of the Lions in the draft order and Bears who need to prove something over the final stretch.

Jets over Texans

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 19: Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets scrambles in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Does Zach Wilson want to be on the field? That's a question that came into the NFL discussion with multiple sources telling The Athletic that Wilson was "reluctant" take back over the starting job.

Just a few days later, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reported that Wilson was once again named the starter.

Commanders fans will hope that Wilson is up to the task of getting a few more wins for the Jets this season. Gang Green was supposed to be a Super Bowl contender this season. With a solid defense and an offense led by Aaron Rodgers, they were one of the most intriguing teams in the league.

Except Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles and the Jets have been bad on offense all season.

Meanwhile, the Texans weren't supposed to be as good as they have been all season. At 7-5, they are squarely in the playoff hunt.

It's a big ask for Wilson to rally the troops and pull of a win on Sunday. But the Jets were in their 13-8 loss to the Falcons until the end with a chance to take the lead late in the game after a Falcons field with less than four minutes on the clock.

If Wilson can just be competent and the defense plays to its ability, this one could get interesting.

Giants over Packers

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Saquon Barkley

It's not a great feeling this season to be rooting for a New York doubleheader. The Giants have struggled just as much as their Jets brethren this season and they've been dealing with their own quarterback injury.

For the most part, the Giants offense has struggled to find a rhythm all season. Unfortunately, two games against the Commanders have been the exception. Two of the Giants four wins this season have come against Washington. They scored 31 points with Tommy DeVito at quarterback and Tyrod Taylor threw for 279 yards in a 14-17 win back in Week 7.

If there's any hope out there for Washington to pass the Giants in the draft order, it's that they have won back-to-back games to get to 4-8 this season.

They'll get the chance to make it three in a row when they host the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. Unfortunately, they are catching the Packers just as they have ripped off wins in four their last five games, including a win over the Kansas City Chiefs last week.

ESPN projects the Giants to finish with the fourth pick while the Commanders will pick fifth.

If those fortunes are going to change then the Giants are going to have to win a few surprising games like this one.