The Commanders are set to host all three of the top quarterback prospects expected to be on the board when they are on the clock at No. 2 overall. While the team still has plenty to do in the ongoing evaluation process, a favorite may have emerged. 
Opinions are split on which passer out of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy will come off the board after Caleb Williams (who is widely expected to hear his name called first overall). Over the course of the pre-draft process, though, Daniels has seen his stock experience a boost in the wake of his Heisman-winning season from 2023. As such, he remains firmly in contention to head to the nation’s capital.
ESPN’s Matt Miller writes NFL executives and scouts consider Daniels the likeliest pick for the Commanders. None of the evaluators polled for that assessment are within the Commanders’ organization, however, so the team’s ultimate decision will likely not become clear until the night of Round 1. Still, it comes as little surprise that signs point toward a Daniels selection on Washington’s part.
The Arizona State transfer spent the past two years at LSU. He posted by far his most productive campaign in 2023, scoring 50 total touchdowns (40 passing, 10 rushing) while completing 72.% of his passes and throwing just four interceptions. Daniels has drawn praise for his processing ability in addition to his notable rushing totals.
However, he will be 24 by the end of his rookie campaign in the NFL, leading to concerns Maye and/or McCarthy could have more upside. Both members of the latter pair also have a much larger frame than Daniels, and questions have been raised regarding his ability to withstand the physicality of the pro game especially considering his dual-threat skillset. Still, Daniels should provide his next team with a relatively high floor, and the interest shown from other QB-needy teams suggests he should not need to wait long to hear his name called.
Washington has a ‘top 30’ visit lined up with each of Daniels, Maye and McCarthy next week. It is after that point that first-year general manager Adam Peters, new head coach Dan Quinn and Co. will arrive at a final commitment with respect to a new franchise signal-caller. As John Keim notes in the aforementioned ESPN piece, Quinn has stated post-snap processing is a trait being targeted in the Commanders’ ongoing search. That factor – along with the expectations of personnel around the league – could point in Daniels’ direction for the second overall pick.
Best choice
Best pick at number 2 if you want a QB.
If they go QB, I’d take Daniels. Nothing is guaranteed, but I think he has the best chance of success at the next level.
It could be a complete non-factor, but I also wonder if essentially taking Howell’s job would in any way impact Maye mentally, being they’re friends. Not that Howell is even there anymore, but…
They didn’t hire Kliff Kingsbury to coach Drake Maye.
Earth to who ever, this kid looks way too lean to take a beating..ala RG3… and I seriously doubt that they can get an Otackle or tackles to handle the bull rushes that are coming….
Take it easy man. Let them do it.
Odds are 2-3 of the first round QBs will be busts and it may not come down to talent
Odds are only 1 will be serviceable, and the first pick will never live up to expectations.
Mental makeup a big question mark for Caleb?
The NFL is kind gentile or anything like college where college QB’s are treated like kings…..in the Not Fun League, you’re a target on every snap and the defense doesn’t just want to defeat you they want to kill you….
I see busts all over this QB mash-up. Williams is gonna be a turn over machine. Daniels is to slight and will get hurt and not be a deep ball threat. McCarthy is too raw and will take years before he’s ready to play. Maybe if the team that drafts him, places the Jordan Love plan in place he’ll have a chance to develop but some desperate franchise will throw the kid to the wolves. I still like Maye and I think Penix will surprise some people in the right setting. Nix, like McCarthy would be best served to sit for a couple seasons or so. Follow the Ravens yearly draft plan and take the best player available. You reach too far you fall right off the carousel. See it so many times every year. Pass on guys like Harrison, Nabers, Odunze, Alt and Bowers to take a stab at a QB and you get what you deserve .
Why people are enamored with the ‘dual threat’ QB is beyond me. QB’s are supposed to throw the ball; not run with it. Fields is classic example. ‘He an exceptional runner and a threat…’. Yeah, he lasted 3 years and was traded for a 6th round pick.
The only modern scrambling HoF QB I can think of is Steve Young. He retired late in the 1990’s.
Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes rarely took off running last season. Stafford, Goff, and Mayfield took their teams to the playoffs. The mobile QB thing is really a myth.
A dual threat QB forces the defense to employ one of the defenders as a spy. That means there is one fewer defender in the pass rush or in coverage so it is definitely an advantage for the offense.