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ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid has worked on a project for the next NFL draft that has the Commanders picking earlier than they have selected in the last three NFL drafts.
The Commanders had finished 3-13 in 2019 and were thus selecting second in the NFL draft and chose Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. Since that draft, Washington has chosen 19th in 2021, taking Jamin Davis, 16th in 2022, selecting Jahan Dotson, and 16th in 2023, choosing Emmanuel Forbes.
Reid has done his film work in determining whom he feels will be first-round draft choices in next year’s 2024 NFL Draft. Reid, however, did “not” predict the order of the NFL teams selecting in the next draft. Reid relied upon ESPN’s Football Power Index.
It is this Index that is predicting the Commanders to struggle in 2023, resulting in their being in the position to draft eighth in the first round. Looking at last year’s draft, one can see the Falcons were in the eighth position based on their record of 7-10 in 2022.
Back to Reid, whom does he see the Commanders drafting in 2024 with the eighth overall selection in the draft? Here is Reid’s prediction with the brief description he provided.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
A lot of this hinges on the development of Sam Howell. But if Washington is picking inside the top 10 next year, it means the team fell well below expectations and will likely be searching for a long-term answer under center.
Ewers came to Texas with plenty of hype and looked the part before hurting his shoulder against Alabama in Week 2. He shows a smooth, effortless arm as a passer, but I’d like to see more urgency in the mental and physical parts of the game. Under the tutelage of coach Steve Sarkisian — who developed Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones — Ewers could be in store for a big season.
Washington has not had a winning record since the 2015 and 2016 seasons when the then Redskins finished 9-7 and 8-7-1, respectively. 2019 was the most recent draft where Washington selected a quarterback in the first round. That was when owner Daniel Snyder insisted that Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins be the selection.