Holding the No. 2 overall pick for a second time in five years, Washington has an opportunity it passed on in 2020. A quarterback should be expected to head to D.C. with that draft slot, but other teams are making early efforts to see if the Commanders are interested in moving the pick.
Multiple clubs have inquired about Washington’s interest in trading down from No. 2, according to ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. Some moving parts exist at quarterback, with some teams that lack top-three draft real estate needing to consider veteran options. But a couple of those teams figure to still need starter solutions — in the long term, at least — exiting free agency. That would naturally make the Commanders’ pick attractive, as this draft holds multiple non-Caleb Williams QB prospects expected to go early.
Heisman winner Jayden Daniels‘ stock is up, with Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest ESPN.com mock draft sending the LSU prospect to Washington. Drake Maye had stood as this class’ top non-Williams option for months, and while the ex-Sam Howell North Carolina teammate’s stock may not have definitively dropped to the point he is a threat to fall out of the top three, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has moved him down on his latest big board. Jeremiah places Maye at No. 5 and Daniels at 6, though QB demand figures to see both going off the board earlier.
The Commanders, of course, have hired Williams’ most recent position coach — Kliff Kingsbury — as OC. Some around the league believe Kingsbury brings strong Williams support, per Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, though that would not exactly matter barring a seeming Bears course change. For weeks, it is believed Chicago would need to receive a historic offer to part with the No. 1 pick for a second straight year. With all signs pointing to the team trading Justin Fields and going with Williams, Kingsbury’s interest in a reunion would be a moot subject.
None of the quarterbacks Washington chose in the first round in its modern history — Heath Shuler, Robert Griffin III and Dwayne Haskins — panned out, but it would still surprise to see a new regime pass on filling its QB need at No. 2. New football ops president Adam Peters is indeed likely to authorize a quarterback choice at 2, Vacchiano adds.
The team could collect a haul for that draft slot, as teams like the Giants, Vikings, Broncos and Raiders — mentioned as being interested in Daniels — being among those who would stand to be interested in coming up for a passer. Though, it would be rather astounding if the Commanders did business with the Giants involving a pick this high. By trading down with anyone, the Commanders would be passing on a clear window to upgrade at the game’s premier position if they took the trade route. Early on, the 2025 class does not appear to be a QB-rich group. Even with Peters playing a role in the 49ers’ Trey Lance trade-up, the ensuing Brock Purdy flier probably should not be taken as an indication the new boss believes a quarterback can be a later-round addition.
As for the Commanders’ 17-game starter from last season, Vacchiano adds Howell will likely draw trade interest from several teams if Washington made him available. Peters spoke highly of Howell this week, and the 2022 fifth-rounder’s age (23) and contract status (two rookie-deal years remaining) would naturally make him appealing — even as a host of bridge- or backup-level QBs are set to be available soon. For now, Howell appears positioned to be the Commanders’ backup in 2024 — or at best likely to lose his job once the No. 2 overall pick is ready to play.
Washington passed on drafting a QB in 2020 due to having chosen Haskins 15th overall the year prior. The team left Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert on the board that year, choosing eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young. It does not seem likely the NFC East franchise would make a similar move with the second overall choice this time.
RG3 was going to become a Washington Redskins legend until he tore up his knee on the sandlot surface of (the now-former) FedEx Field.
I agree. I don’t think it’s fair to say that pick didn’t “pan out.” He was outstanding as a rookie. He was just never the same after he blew out his knee. That was not a bad evaluation. That was just bad luck.
Washington could get a decent haul by trading back from the 2 slot and with some proper support Howell could at least be a capable starter on par with Baker Mayfield who has suddenly become the flavor of the month.
Justin Jefferson for Pick #2.
(Remember how the Paul Warfield trade to Miami worked out?)
That would be good for the Vikings if they could get both a QB and Harrison Jr. with the 2 pick but it doesn’t work that way…lol.
Howell was the most sacked qb in the league and washington had no running game. Why give a rookie the same trash and expect something better? Trade back and see what he does with an extra 2-3 seconds in the pocket with the other teams LB’s watching for play action.
Their offensive line was bad, but avoiding sacks is in large part a QB skill, too. Howell got sacked a ton all through college. It’s one of the reasons I think he’s destined to be a solid backup.
Russell Wilson: “Getting sacked over 500 times is a QB skill too”.
Starting in August the entire offense, with a special emphasis on the O-Line, damn near held a revolt against Eric Bieniemy. According to local media “The Vets” went to Rivera to voice their concerns about the scheme, implementation, and overall attitude. This came back around in the news as it became clear there would not be an offseason and Jack Del Rio was fired.
The Washington Commanders in 2023 was the NFL version of the Walking Dead. Everyone from the front office to the coaching staff knew without a deep playoff run, it was over. After the Giants loss in November, the reports were that even the players were openly making off season plans.
Sam Howell never appeared to give up, even when the local Popa John’s offered a 5 sack 50% off special. He deserves a chance with a stable staff and solid on field support.
Keep Howell, build the offensive line and add another dynamic WR
I get the temptation to trade back and build the trenches, but if they believe in Maye, they have to take him. Chances to acquire young franchise QBs are too hard to come by.
The commanders are not a QB away from being a competitive team. If they draft a QB this year there’s no way they should step on the field until the rest of the team has been assembled.
WAS faces a similar dilemma with Maye as Chicago did last year with Stroud, both of whom were teammates and friends with the current starter they’d be replacing. Bears smartly traded for a ransom and are in prime position to get this year’s top QB.
WAS is stuck with paying a similar ransom as Carolina to get their clear #1 or moving back for QBs 4-6. Their experience with RG3 would seem to lessen their interest in Jayden Daniels, especially at #2. So do they try and trade down or gamble big and move up?
Despite their now clear needs at LT, C, TE and on defense, I could see WAS go all in for their new regime and giving up #1, #40, and #101, plus next year’s #1 (and potentially more) to move up for Caleb. Would the Bears take that and whatever Fields’ trade would bring (a late 2nd from PIT) over the difference between Maye & Williams? I’d have to think Poles would strongly consider it, and likely take it.
I see a swap between 1 & 2 coming…
I still say they should attempt to trade down for more picks and then take Bo Nix with a lower pick and have him battle it out with Howell.
Trade down and get Nix or my favorite Rattler later. Both will do fine riding some pine for half the year or even the whole year and let Howell get one last chance. There’s a new regime and nobody is expecting big things right now. Get some positional holes filled with best available and take whatever is left at Qb. Hell, Penix might even be available day two.