With the NFL combine over, all 32 teams are looking ahead to free agency. Meanwhile, draft analysts are busy pouring over team needs and combine results to put together the latest mock drafts.
ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid released his first post-combine mock draft Tuesday and keeps things simple for the Washington Commanders with the second overall pick.
As with mock drafts, USC quarterback Caleb Williams goes No. 1 to the Chicago Bears. For Reid, he has North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye heading to Washington.
It’s widely known that Washington will select a QB if it stays put at No. 2, but which one? I elected to go with Maye, as his prior experience in an Air Raid-style offense, his size (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) and ability to drive the ball downfield gives him the edge over LSU’s Jayden Daniels. The learning curve might not be as steep for him in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, and there is a lot of upside here with him throwing to receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.
No surprise there. While some prefer Daniels to Washington, Reid has been consistent with his fit for Maye to the Commanders.
So what type of help did Reid give Washington with its two second-round picks.
At No. 36, Maye gets a big-time blocker from his college’s archrival: Duke’s Graham Barton.
The Commanders — who allowed 65 sacks in 2023, tied for the second-most in the NFL — could need as many as three new starters along the offensive line. Barton is a plug-and-play option along the interior and even has experience at tackle.
Maye may not like the Blue Devils, but he’d love to have Barton blocking for him over the next decade.
At No. 40, Washington selects a Penn State edge rusher — just not the one you are thinking of, as Chop Robinson lands in the first round in Reid’s mock draft.
The pick: Adisa Isaac.
Losing both Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the trade deadline last October left the Commanders with mostly rotational and depth players off the edge. Isaac has the potential to be a dependable starter. He is explosive and has good bend around the corner.
Isaac has length and strength, but doesn’t have the athletic profile of Robinson. That’s no knock on Isaac, as Robinson’s testing numbers were ridiculous in Indianapolis. Isaac is going in round two. Why not Washington?