Commanders trade up so they can draft two players in the first round of latest 7 round NFL mock draft
The 2024 NFL Draft is around the corner and now that in-person evaluations have ended (for the most part, there are some local pro days still happening), the picture is clearer than it's been. The Washington Commanders figure to be major players in this year's draft and not just because they hold the No. 2 overall […]
The 2024 NFL Draft is around the corner and now that in-person evaluations have ended (for the most part, there are some local pro days still happening), the picture is clearer than it's been.
The Washington Commanders figure to be major players in this year's draft and not just because they hold the No. 2 overall pick – because the franchise has not one, not two, not three, but six picks in the first 100 selections, which is a very envious position to be in.
So, let's not waste any more time and see what the Commanders decide to do in this seven-round mock draft.
Washington Commanders 2024 mock draft v1.0
Round 1, No. 2 overall: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers
Why it's Daniels: Drake Maye could easily end up here, as he has good running ability that could help him succeed in Kliff Kingsbury's offense, but Maye is nowhere near as dynamic as Daniels on the ground.
Both players also have excellent deep balls, but Daniels, once again, outpaces Maye in this regard. Per Pro Football Focus, he led all quarterbacks with a 69.3% completion rate on passes of 20+ air yards, which was over 14% better than second-place Jalen Milroe. He also led the same 40 quarterbacks with at least 54 passing attempts in yards per attempt on deep balls (24.5), big-time throw rate (45.0%), and adjusted completion percentage (69.1%). It's not just the deep ball, though, Daniels can hit his throws at all three levels.
There's also the facts that Daniels succeeded in a spread offense at LSU and he is ascending/hitting his stride, so why not snag a player when everything is clicking?
Granted, there are a few flaws in Daniels' game, like any rookie. The main one is he has to learn how to slide and get out of bounds in the NFL. He can't subject himself to the hits he took in college.
He could stand to bulk a bit and he tends to get when pressured and will take off before finding the second read or finishing the progression. Still, it's nothing that can't be coached up or out of him.
Round 2, No. 36 overall: TRADE UP for EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan Broncos
The Commanders trade picks Nos. 36 (2nd), 78 (3rd), and 152 (5th) to the Kansas City Chiefs for pick No. 32
Why it's Kneeland: The Commanders hosted Kneeland on a top-30 visit, so there's certainly interest and even though Adam Peters and co. brought in several EDGE guys in free agency (including re-signing Efe Obada), there's not a clear game-wrecker on the roster.
At worst, Kneeland adds very solid depth to an already decent pass rush rotation. At best, he earns the starting spot opposite Dorance Armstrong and shows flashes of a future Pro Bowler throughout the season.
The latter can certainly happen, too. Kneeland has all the traits to be a top pass rusher in the NFL: size, length, twitch, and power.
Overall, Kneeland is still taking classes in the art of the pass rush, but he is charged up into contact and displays twitch throughout his frame, which allows him to defeat blockers in different ways. He projects as a starting base end whose best football is yet to come. – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Jayden Daniels is the face and future of the franchise, but this is still Dan Quinn's team. He's going to make sure the defense is going to be as put-together as possible in Year 1, so don't be surprised if a move like this happens.
Round 2, No. 40 overall: T Kingsley Suamataia, BYU Cougars
Why it's Suamataia: The Commanders re-signed Cornelius Lucas and veteran Andrew Wylie is on the right side of the offensive line. 2023 fourth-rounder, Braeden Daniels, is also in the mix, but the Commanders need a clear option for both the short- and long-term and out of the three, Daniels is the only one with that fits the bill when factoring in age and potential.
Therefore, Suamataia makes a lot of sense, although he's a raw prospect that will require time and attention. Still, all the traits are there to play either tackle position in any scheme in the NFL.
He excelled in BYU's RPO-style offense, which bodes well for the Commaners, and his mobility, anchor, and power are all above-average traits that could see him make an immediate impact if he quickly puts it all together. At worst, he can be the team's swing tackle in 2023, although I can definitely see him starting on the left side of the offensive line.
Round 3, No. 67 overall: CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan Wolverines
Why it's Sainristil: Brugler gave Sainristil a second-round projection and there's certainly a chance he goes in Round 2, but I think, ultimately his size causes him to fall into Round 3, where the Commanders happily scoop him up.
Let those teams make the mistake of ruling this guy out for the lamest of reasons. All one has to do is put on the tape and they'll see the kind of player -and leader and teammate- they're getting with Sainristil. He's physical, intense, smart, savvy, a playmaker, and everything you else want in fifth-year senior.
The Commanders still need a true answer at nickel and that's where the wide-receiver-turned-cornerback comes in. Even better, Joe Whitt Jr. can move him around the alignment and have Quan Martin fill in at nickel on certain plays. In all, Sainristil adds more versatility to the secondary – something this coaching staff values, a lot.
Round 3, No. 100 overall: TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State Wildcats
Why it's Sinnott: Fullbacks/H-backs are becoming more and more popular in systems like Kingsbury's and Sinnott can provide quality production in that kind of role. Even better, he'd give the Commanders offense a unique weapon to pair with Daniels' elite abilities as a runner and thrower.
Sinnott won't be a true tight end, but that's fine. Zach Ertz should be able to provide enough quality snaps as the offense's Y tight end, even if his ceiling is very limited. There will be plenty of other guys who can fill that role in the years to come, with Sinnott continuing his H-back role.
All of a sudden, Daniels has multiple weapons at all three levels of the offense, which has to be exciting for a rookie.
The Day 3 picks
Round 5, No. 139 overall: TRADE UP for CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Commanders trade pick Nos. 139 and 222 (7th) in the 2024 NFL Draft, plus a 2025 sixth-rounder, to the Buffalo Bills in order to move up to No. 133 in the fourth round
Hart is the prototypical cornerback for this defense, as he has tremendous size at 6-foot-3, 202-pounds, and elite length (78-7/8" wingspan). He can also play special teams, which would be huge as a fifth-round rookie. Obviously, Hart needs development as a fifth-rounder, but this is the perfect environment for him to thrive in when considering how built he is for man-to-man coverage and how often Quinn and Woods like to play man.
Final results
Below is what the Commanders' 2024 draft class would look like if things went down in the above fashion:
- Round 1, No. 2 overall: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers
- Round 1, No. 32 overall: DE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan Broncos
- Round 2, No. 40 overall: OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU Cougars
- Round 3, No. 67 overall: CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan Wolverines
- Round 3, No. 100 overall: TE/FB Ben Sinnott, Kansas State Wildcats
- Round 5, No. 139 overall: CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Commanders now have their official path with some key building blocks in place for the future. If these picks work out like they're supposed to, then Quinn's turnaround could happen a lot quicker than initially expected.
