If there is one certainty in the 2024 NFL draft, it is that the Washington Commanders will take a quarterback. Holding the No. 2 overall pick, many expect Washington to choose between Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders’ need for a franchise quarterback is no secret. They’ve been trying for years. Sam Howell showed promise in 2023 but faded down the stretch. With a new owner, GM and head coach, Washington has a rare opportunity — with a top-two pick — to do a complete reset.
What if the Commanders, who have five total picks in the top 100, decide to trade back and fill other roster holes? While that seems doubtful, they could still land a passer in the first round, just not one of the top three. If Washington did indeed trade back, then it would mean the franchise had some doubts about at least two of the top three quarterbacks.
In a new two-round mock draft from Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus, the Commanders traded the No. 2 overall pick to the Denver Broncos, moving down to No. 12 and receiving additional first-round picks in 2025 and 2026, as well as a second-round pick in 2025.
The Broncos select Maye in this mock draft.
Washington moves back up from No. 12 to No. 10, sending the No. 40 overall pick to the Jets in order to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Commanders received the No. 73 overall pick back in this swap.
Here’s what PFF said about McCarthy to Washington:
There’s a bit of added wheelin’ and dealin’ here for the Commanders, as they move from No. 2 to No. 12 and then use some of their extra Day 2 ammo to jump the Vikings for a talented developmental quarterback in Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
This seems unlikely. But you never know. It’s good to see things get mixed up a bit.
With Washington sending the No. 40 overall pick to New York, it only has one second-round pick in this mock draft, which it uses to select Penn State edge Chop Robinson.