Commanders' Top 2024 NFL Draft Targets
The Washington Commanders will take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
The Commanders should choose between Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, but J.J. McCarthy's rise up mock drafts makes him a longshot third option.
Washington's new front office and coaching staff spent the last few months evaluating the top signal-callers in the draft class and their big decision comes on Thursday.
There is always a small chance the Chicago Bears do not take Caleb Williams at No. 1, but that seems like a possibility that the Commanders are not planning for.
Daniels, Maye or McCarthy will be the pick the Commanders will try to build around for the next few years.
Jayden Daniels
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The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner should be Washington's selection at No. 2.
Daniels displayed dynamic talent through both the air and ground during his time at LSU.
He can bring something different to the quarterback position that the Commanders have not had since they drafted Robert Griffin III.
ESPN.com's Jordan Reid believes Daniels is the right fit for the franchise to win right away under new head coach Dan Quinn.
"Daniels is the guy who gives them the best chance for early success, showing excellent deep-ball passing and rushing ability," Reid wrote.
The LSU product seems like the smart choice at No. 2 unless Williams surprisingly does not go to the Bears.
Drake Maye
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Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department believes Maye is the best quarterback prospect in the draft class.
Derrik Klassen broke down why Maye projects as the top signal-caller in the draft.
"North Carolina's Drake Maye should be an easy prospect to buy into for any organization," Klassen wrote. "He is young (21), athletic and aggressive. Maye's arm is as good as anyone's in the class and his best throws to all three levels are absolutely indefensible. Maye also brings great pocket presence and the ability to throw in crowded spaces, something the Bears' last quarterback was lacking."
If Maye is the pick, he would be the second North Carolina quarterback to be drafted by the Commanders in the last three years. Sam Howell was drafted in the fifth round in 2022 and was traded in the offseason to the Seattle Seahawks.
Maye is the more refined prospect to come out of UNC. The Commanders have plenty of film on how well he can perform in the pocket.
Maye lacks the dynamism in the rushing game that Daniels or Williams have, but if the Commanders want a pocket passer first, Maye is their guy.
J.J. McCarthy
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McCarthy's rise in mock drafts over the last few months may be a sign that he will be selected in the top four.
The Michigan quarterback seems like a longshot pick at No. 2 because at least one of Daniels and Maye will be available to the Commanders.
McCarthy did not display the same athleticism or passing prowess in college that the top three quarterback prospects did because of the offensive system Michigan ran.
McCarthy looked strong in the moments he had to pass in during the College Football Playoff, but there is not a large sample size on him being a 300-yard passer during his time at Michigan.
Sure, McCarthy could have a ton of potential, but in comparison to Daniels and Maye, he would seem like a reach for the Commanders at No. 2.
Washington's staff would really have to like McCarthy's qualities and believe he has plenty of room to improve to consider him above the other available signal-callers.
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