Players and coaches may not want to hear it, but the most important thing for the Washington Commanders over the final few games of this season is where they finish in terms of the 2024 NFL draft.
The Commanders lost their fifth consecutive game Sunday, a 28-20 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. It was Washington’s seventh loss in its last eight games. The Commanders are now 4-10.
Heading into Sunday’s game, Washington held the No. 4 overall pick for next spring’s draft. Even with a loss, the Commanders remained in the same position due to the Arizona Cardinals losing. Arizona is in the No. 3 position.
Carolina, which holds the No. 1 overall pick but will send the selection to the Chicago Bears to complete the 2023 trade for Bryce Young, actually won its second game of the season. That didn’t really impact the Commanders, as the Panthers still have two fewer wins, so Washington reaching the No. 1 pick seems impossible at this point.
For the Commanders to keep the fourth position or move up, they’ll need to lose their final three games. Washington’s best chance at winning is next week against the New York Jets. While the Jets are terrible offensively, the Commanders are equally as bad defensively. Meanwhile, New York’s defense is among the best in the league, so the Jets should be the favorite.
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