Week 14 was a gift to the Commanders… a very large gift.
In Week 14 the Patriots, Bears, Jets, Giants and Titans all won.
How much did this help the Commanders?
Well, for starters, they are now the only NFL team sitting with only 4 wins. The Bears, Jets, Giants and Titans all won their fifth game over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Patriots increased their win total from two to three.
Don’t overlook the Cardinals. Arizona was 1-8, then quarterback Kyler Murray returned. Don’t misunderstand; Murray has not performed exceptionally. He’s completed 60% of his passes, and his TD/INT ratio is only 3:2. Yet, he has been good enough that the Cardinals are 2-2 in his four games. They “could” finish better than the Commanders as well.
Most Commanders fans will think the major issue is the Commanders might pick third or fourth in next April’s NFL draft. Well, that’s true, they might. It is also true the value of their pick, if it is third or fourth could be very valuable.
For instance, if the new GM and head coach like Sam Howell enough, they may feel the wiser route to take in the 2024 draft could be to draft the best player available, like, say, Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu or Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
In addition, they might actually take the highest trade offer they receive for the pick, trade down and accumulate an extra draft choice or two.
I recall the 1981 draft, and Redskins general manager, Bobby Beathard, had the 9th pick and traded down all the way to 20th. He knew what he was doing, he chose Mark May, an offensive tackle, and May played 9 seasons and 123 games, starting 115 as part of “the Hogs.”
Also, in that 1981 draft, Beathard made two other trades, and in return, the Redskins had gained future Hall of Fame guard/center Russ Grimm, starting cornerback Vernon Dean and running back Joe Washington.
So, the higher the draft position, the higher the value the pick possesses. Being in the 3rd or 4th position also results in more draft capital to lure others to trade up with you.
It will also lure candidates to be your new head coach or general manager as well.