The Washington Commanders' 2024 draft class is officially official, and man, did they make some big-time improvements in some much-needed areas.



The franchise's new era officially kicked off with the selection of Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels, at No. 2 overall in the first round. From that point on, Adam Peters went to work and really put this team in a good spot heading into offseason activities. It all remains to be seen how everything plays out, but it's hard to feel anything but optimism after the final weekend in April.



So, let's stop wasting time and meet the Commanders' 2024 draft class.

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Washington Commanders’ Official 2024 NFL Draft Class

Round 1, No. 2 overall: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers

The Commanders have the face of the franchise as they enter a new era from top to bottom.



Daniels is an electric playmaker that can make game-changing plays through the air and on the ground. He's the only player in NCAA history to throw for more than 12,000 yards and run for more than 3,000 yards. He totaled more than 50 touchdowns in 2023, on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy.



It's unclear as to whether or not Daniels will start Week 1, but the preliminary thought is he will. Either way, Veteran Marcus Mariota -a former No. 2 overall pick himself- is on the roster, so there shouldn't be any rush. The last thing Adam Peters and Dan Quinn need to do is rush his development. 

Either way, the Commanders are setting up Daniels for success in the NFL, especially with the Ben Sinnott and Luke McCaffrey picks. It's just a matter of when things start to click.

Round 2, No. 36 overall: Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, Illinois Fighting Illini

The Commanders get an absolute steal at No. 36 in the form of Newton, the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a guy many evaluators had pegged as a top-25 player. 



Newton brings hustle, tenacity, and an explosive pass rush skill set at the 3T position. With the rookie in the fold, the pass rush shouldn't drop off too much whenever Daron Payne or Jonathan Allen need a breather.



With that being said, it will be interesting to see how the Commanders utilize Newton not just in 2024, but moving forward. It's mostly due to the presence of Payne and Allen, but as we've seen lately, interior pressure is a major factor in killing opposing offenses, so a team can't have too many interior pass rushers.



There could some future planning, here too, as both Allen and Payne have two years left on their respective deals.

Round 2, No. 50 overall (from PHI): CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan Wolverines

This is easily the best pick of the Commanders' 2024 draft class.



Not only did the Commanders get a guy Nick Saban called the "best pound-for-pound player in the class", but they managed to snag an extra second-round pick from the Eagles in the process. It was an A+ move by Adam Peters and it led to the Commanders getting an excellent player and filling a big need in the process.

Sainristil should be an immediate Day 1 starter and will immediately upgrade the Commanders secondary, mainly at the nickel position. He's physical, smart, a great leader, and he can make plays all over the field.



And, he rounds the defense out, as a whole, by allowing Quan Martin to move to centerfield in a full-time role, where he's most effective. Objectively speaking, there is zero wrong and everything right with this pick.

Round 2, No. 53 overall (from PHI): TE/H-back Ben Sinnott, Kansas State Wildcats

Washington used its extra second-rounder amassed in the Eagles trade to select what should be a very fun player in Ben Sinnott.



Offenses like Kliff Kingsbury's are perfect for a player like Sinnott, who won't just line up next to a tackle, like your basic tight end. He'll line up off the line, in the backfield, in the slot – wherever the play design needs him to be. That's the point – his versatility should lead to both matchup problems and help the Commanders block certain run schemes. 

Overall, Sinnott offers some blocking value, but his controlled athleticism and reliable pass-catching traits project him best as a versatile H-back who can be flexed across the formation. All 32 NFL teams will appreciate his football IQ and pro-ready toughness, although he won’t be an ideal fit for every scheme. – Dane Brugler, The Athletic

Round 2, at No. 53 specficially, may be a little high, but the run on tackles and Peters trading pick No. 67 likely pushed this up the board, a bit. And again, the Commanders got this pick from the Eagles by just moving back 10 spots and still snagged their guy in Sainristil – it's a logical, effective move. And a good pick.

Round 3, No. 67 overall: OL Brandon Coleman, TCU Horned Frogs

Coleman can play either guard or tackle, but the Commanders are hoping on the latter. It would be ideal if he can come in and start right away at one of the outside OL positions, but that shouldn't be the expectation, solely based off draft position. 



Still, there's a lot of upside, here, to like. And the fact he's versatile enough to play on the inside only adds to the equation.

Round 3, No. 100 overall: WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice Owls

The younger brother of San Francisco 49ers stud running back Christian McCaffrey, Luke is a good route-runner who is more of a possession receiver, which is fine. Daniels needs all the reliable pass-catching targets he can get.

This pick is a bit high, as McCaffrey was projected to go in the back end of the 4th round/early 5th, but the key, here is the fact the Commanders don't have a fourth-round pick in the draft. Yes, that's crazy to think about when considering the litany of picks they had up until this point.



McCaffrey should slot in as an underneath option, allowing Terry McLaurin to take full advantage of the route tree and Jahan Dotson to stretch the field and be used in creative ways that suit his skill set.

Round 5, No. 139 overall: LB Jordan Magee, Temple Owls

It may be a bit surprising to see the Commanders take a linebacker after adding Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu in free agency. There's also former first-rounder, Jamin Davis, still in the mix.



But the previous two names are more SAM/MIKE linebackers, whereas Magee is more of the WILL type, much like Davis.



The Commanders defense adds a fast, rangy guy to the linebacker room and while Magee needs to add more play strength to his game – that's nothing the weight room can't fix.

Round 5, No. 161 (from PHI): DB Dominique Hampton, Washington Huskies

Another Dan Quinn-type pick, Hampton is a former cornerback converted to safety and has very impressive size, speed, and length that he puts to good use.



The problem is, like most back end picks, is he's raw and undisciplined. The Commanders have bodies in the safety room, headlined by Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn, so Hampton is going to have to get his act together, so to speak, if he wants to win a roster spot.



What helps him out is the fact he was an effective special teams player in college. That always bodes well for guys fighting for the last couple of roster spots in a certain position group.

Round 7, No. 222 overall: DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Jean-Baptiste is a high-motor player that doesn't have a ton of "wow" traits, nor did he produce a lot in college. But he's a guy that won't back down and will easily help a team "trim the fat" in camp by canceling out the loafers with his relentless effort.



It all depends on whether or not JJB can build off 2023, which was his most successful season in college. The ceiling is low, here, so it'll be interesting to see just exactly what the Commanders can do.

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• Round 1, No. 2 overall: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers
• Round 2, No. 36 overall: DL Jer'Zhan "Johhny" Newton, Illinois Fighting Illini
• Round 2, No. 50 overall (from PHI): CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan Wolverines
• Round 3, No. 53 overall (from PHI): H-back Ben Sinnott, Kansas State Wildcats
• Round 3, No. 67 overall: OT Brandon Coleman, TCU Horned Frogs
• Round 3, No. 100 overall (from SF/comp pick): WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice Owls
• Round 5, No. 139 overall: LB Jordan Magee, Temple Owls
• Round 5, No. 161 overall  (from PHI): DB Dominique Hampton, Washington Huskies
• Round 7, No. 222 overall: DE Javonte Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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The Commanders absolutely knocked this draft out of the park, with the highlight being the second-round trade back that landed Sainristil, plus the 53rd pick that landed Sinnott. Those two picks should pay immediate dividends in 2024 and beyond. That's something to say, too, considering Washington stole a top-25 player in Newton.



Then, Washington addressed the offense line (to an extent) and Luke McCaffrey is about as QB-friendly a receiver you can get. 



Dan Quinn's defense dominated Day 3, but that's fine. The Commanders take home Magee and Hampton, two rangy, athletic players who could carve out some kind of role in Whitt Jr.'s versatile defense.



Overall, it's a great haul and it will be fun to see how it all plays out over the coming months.

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