Commanders' Biggest Keys to Having Successful NFL Offseason
The Washington Commanders are one of the most intriguing franchises to watch this offseason.
The team owns the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, which will likely be used on a quarterback.
The quarterback decision has to be the right one so that the franchise can boost itself back into contention in the NFC East.
Additionally, the Commanders need to figure out their depth at wide receiver and tight end.
They could enter Week 1 with a revamped depth chart at both positions so the new quarterback is in the best position to compete right away.
Make the Right Quarterback Decision
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Washington's draft selection will likely come down to North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels from LSU.
That is the decision that comes with the No. 2 pick, but Washington could mortgage parts of its future to trade up one spot to land USC's Caleb Williams.
Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department predicted that trade in its latest mock draft.
The Commanders have a built-in connection with Williams through new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who worked with the quarterback at USC.
Williams is the clear No. 1 prospect in the draft, but Washington must take a measured approach to any potential trade.
There are a handful of other holes on the roster. Trading some of the nine 2024 draft picks, potentially a high 2025 pick and a player to Chicago may not be the best call.
The quarterback pick is far from confirmed, but it appears that Sam Howell's time as a starter is over.
Washington needs to figure out whether it wants to trade Howell or keep him as the backup to a top-three selection.
Add Offensive Talent
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The Commanders must improve their offensive skill position depth to help whomever the new quarterback is succeed in 2024.
Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson provide a good foundation at wide receiver, as does Brian Robinson Jr. at running back.
But the Commanders could lose Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gibson to free agency, which would significantly diminish the offensive skill position depth.
Additionally, the team may move on from long-time tight end Logan Thomas to save money on the salary cap. Thomas has not had more than 500 receiving yards in a season since 2020.
The Commanders own three draft picks in the top 40 and four in the top 67. Those selections could be used to bolster the offensive depth instead of in a trade to move up one spot in the draft.
The team also has $83 million in cap space to work with, per Spotrac, so one or two key pieces could be added through that mechanism.
Rework the Defensive Line
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The defensive line was once one of Washington's deepest positions.
The midseason trades of Montez Sweat and Chase Young depleted that unit, but Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are still around.
Washington needs to find more talent to surround Allen and Payne so that its defense can be viewed as a threat in the NFC East.
The set of high draft picks could aid in that process. The trades of Sweat and Young signaled the Commanders may not be willing to pay top dollar to defensive linemen in free agency.
Allen, Payne, Sweat and Young were all chosen in the draft and developed in Washington, so the hope is the franchise has more success at the position in April to reinforce that specific unit.
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