The Washington Commanders’ 2023 season has mercifully come to a close. While two division rivals fight for a Super Bowl, Washington has its eyes on the future, and for good reason.
With new ownership leaving its fingerprints on the organization, the franchise is amid the best opportunity to reset since at least 2012, when the promise of Robert Griffin III gave Washington a glimpse of the good life.
A new coaching staff will be brought in, likely tied to the success of the franchise’s new most-prized possession: the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Two quarterbacks sit atop the class, but blue-chip prospects at other offensive positions have stolen some of the attention. Who should be the second pick come April?
The Commanders are fortunate to find themselves in the position they are in. Not only can they hit the reset button at quarterback and head coach – but they are also a healthy team in terms of cap space. Further, the most important decision they’ll make this offseason will be made for them.
In taking the best quarterback available, Washington will have whoever isn’t taken with the first pick. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the odds-on favorite to hear his name called first. Unless the organization feels LSU’s Jayden Daniels is better than UNC’s Drake Maye, the Tar Heel is the most likely option to usher in a new era of Commanders football.
FanNation’s Luke Easterling projected as much in his most recent mock, with the trio of Williams, Maye, and Daniels being selected in that order.
This – the most likely outcome – is a reason to rejoice. Of course, no pick is guaranteed to hit, but in a game of bets, taking a legitimately good quarterback prospect is about as much expected value as one can find.
Hailing from UNC may scare helmet scouts, but Maye and Sam Howell are significantly different prospects. For one, Maye is projected to be a top-two pick; Howell fell to Day 3 – that means something. Maye is a superior physical talent and takes sacks at a much better rate than Howell, who flirted with the sack record for much of 2023.
Related: Should Commanders Draft Michael Penix Jr.?
Maye offers a profile that is in many ways similar to Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Josh Allen, even if does have a tad more turnover-worthy plays in his game. April can be an inflection point for Washington, and Maye is the best consolation prize this class can offer in the event Caleb Williams goes first overall.
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