Commanders mock draft scenarios: 6 paths with trades, themes and quarterbacks

What’s better than one Washington Commanders-only mock draft? Six of them.

Last year, we supersized our annual choose-your-own-adventure exercise from three to six to explore potential paths. That Washington holds the second pick and is expected to take a quarterback should, in theory, limit our scenarios. The key phrase is in theory.

The Commanders’ nine overall selections — six in the top 100 — means there’s enough ammunition to move up in the draft. For a team coming off a four-win season and with the new regime setting up the roster and salary-cap availability for a more aggressive tomorrow, acquiring future picks might be the direction for general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.

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Needs exist throughout the roster, including those filled with free agents on one-year contracts. While offensive tackle, edge rusher, cornerback and wide receiver depth are among the apparent spots to target beyond quarterback, when to draft those players may depend on positional depth and tiers.

Bottom line: The butterfly effect is real. The plan could go in many directions, depending on choices made early in the Commanders’ 2024 draft. Using the comprehensive draft guide from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler as our primary big board, here’s a new six-pack of mock drafts to consider. Choose wisely.

Mock 1 — Take on the trenches

Each path assumes the Chicago Bears select USC quarterback Caleb Williams first overall. The consensus voting in our recent poll placed Daniels comfortably second behind Williams and a clear tier above Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy.

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What matters is whether Peters, Quinn and managing partner Josh Harris have the same vision after months of contemplation. Similar to the head-coaching search, they are not tipping their hand. There’s an argument for any of the three in Washington. Daniels’ dual-threat capabilities, downfield passing, significant performance growth and box-office potential make a compelling case.

Brugler and other analysts see Morgan’s positional future at guard due to his shorter arm length (32 7/8). Granted, the 6-foot-5, 311-pounder started at left tackle for three years with the Wildcats, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors last season while returning from an ACL tear in 2022. Washington has gone through this position confusion before, as Brandon Scherff and Sam Cosmi were drafted at tackle before moving inside. Brugler ranks Morgan second among guards. If the worst-case scenario is he plays inside, the Commanders have the makings of a formidable interior trio with Cosmi and center Tyler Biadasz.

Kneeland’s public big board rankings steadily rose throughout the pre-draft process. Brugler set the pace by placing the 267-pound edge rusher fifth among his positional peers and 32nd overall. The Commanders signed enough rotational pieces to avoid feeling compelled to select one early. The group also lacks a significant upside. Brugler and others see that with Kneeland, despite only 10 1/2 sacks and 26 tackles for loss over his final 32 games.

Brugler: “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.”

Selecting Rosengarten is both a tackle hedge and a 2025 replacement plan if starting right tackle Andrew Wylie is released following the season. Targeting this other Wiley is about eyeing a 6-foot-6 tight end. Brugler ranks Wiley fourth among tight ends, and league sources recently have mentioned him as a legit sleeper coming off a 47-catch, eight-touchdown season.

Rice, Jerry’s son, isn’t a burner (4.5 40-yard dash) or red zone specimen (6-foot-2), “but he has the size/speed athleticism and hand-eye coordination to become a better pro than college player,” Brugler wrote. The Commanders have yet to replace Curtis Samuel in an obvious way. The bottom four names address other areas of need, with players reportedly having “30” visits with Washington. Everyone on this list (besides Rice) is expected to or has visited.

Mock 2 — Help the rookie QB at all costs

Commanders trade Nos. 40, 78 to Ravens for Nos. 30, 250

The fact that the Commanders have legitimate roster concerns on both sides of the ball is why any playoff talk is overly optimistic, regardless of how a rookie quarterback performs. That the passer position can make or break teams is why ensuring the staff does everything conceivable to assist the college-to-pro transition is necessary. That means using seven of the first eight draft picks on offense.

Guyton, a 6-foot-8, 322-pound giant, is Brugler’s sixth and final OT with a first-round grade. Considering half the league has offensive line issues, including teams picking at No. 30 (Ravens), 31 (49ers) and 32 (Chiefs), the Commanders cannot expect one to fall to No. 36. Baltimore might stay put and select the talented but inexperienced Guyton, but the Ravens could use the extra Day 2 pick to shore up a roster shredded by free agency.

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Coleman’s 40-yard dash time (4.61) spooked some evaluators, but, as Brugler wrote about the 6-foot-3 receiver with 11 touchdowns in 2023, “his big-man twitch, physicality and ball-winning adjustment skills allow him to be a difference-maker.” The 6-foot-4 Reiman puts another tall target on the field, though the 271-pound tight end’s strength is that of a blocker in 11 personnel packages.

Wright brings speed to an offense that lost Samuel and Antonio Gibson in free agency. Possibly capable of playing all three downs, Wright ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. Running back isn’t a main priority after pairing free agent Austin Ekeler with Brian Robinson Jr. Wright, second among FBS players with 7.4 yards per carry last season, would ensure a splashy backfield presence should Ekeler not rebound from a limited 2023 season.

Three offensive linemen in one draft might be overkill, depending on how the staff views the current reserves. The fact that the group appears shaky means it’s OK to acquire more big men.

Mock 3 — Two for (round) one

Commanders trade Nos. 36, 78, 139 to Dolphins for Nos. 21, 158

I don’t see DeJean as taking another cornerback. The 6-footer with 4.4 speed is much more than that. There’s the freakish athleticism. DeJean’s anticipatory coverage skills led to returning three of his seven interceptions for touchdowns. The competitive defensive back plays physically. Brugler describes DeJean as “one of the best tackling defensive backs in the class.” He’s also an immediate special teams contributor as a returner and gunner. DeJean is capable of playing multiple positions in the secondary, too.

It’ll be fascinating to see whether the staff views the secondary in need of more talent or better coaching. That answer may determine how early the Commanders invest in corners (or safeties), let alone trade up for one. Philadelphia is a popular landing spot for DeJean, so trading in front of the Eagles at No. 22 is likely required.

🚨🎙️ Guest: @AdamSchefter:

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* Maye & McCarthy buzz
* Aggregation run amock
* Adam’s college friends question his NFL info
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Me on QB “30” visits; “The Beast”https://t.co/onPRaGmC0X

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 10, 2024

The 6-foot-3 Legette is a power forward receiver with sub 4.4 40-yard speed. There’s enough rawness in his game to expand his draft range from around No. 35 to the third round.

All’s first season at Iowa after transferring from Michigan ended prematurely with a significant knee injury. By that point, the 6-foot-4, 252-pound tight end had already set career highs in touchdown receptions (three) and yards per catch (14.2).

Washington skips the offensive line until the third round. Paul’s draft range is all over the place, but he leads a concise list of tackles outside the first round with his imposing measurables (6-foot-7, 331 pounds, 86 1/4-inch wingspan). Murphy lacks ideal size and length but “was a pass-rushing nuisance in college (eight sacks, 16 tackles for loss in 2023).” His 10-yard split (1.59) at the combine, which is historically important for Peters with defensive linemen, tied for fourth best among edge rushers.

Mock 4 — Best player available

If taken very literally, this specific path means Washington selects Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Brugler’s No. 2 prospect behind Williams. The Commanders could then take Oregon’s Bo Nix at 36. They would likely trade down for a bevy of picks if not in love with the quarterbacks rather than take Harrison, but forcing the issue at the most important position isn’t intelligent.

However, we will get into the best player available mindset with Maye since Brugler ranks the athletic 6-foot-4 passer “with the on-field command, athletic instincts and arm talent” to cause headaches for defenses as his QB2. Concerns with Maye’s mechanics, footwork and decision-making elicit harsh reviews from some evaluators.

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Robinson isn’t a tweener, but there’s minimal consensus about his NFL position. Brugler sees the 6-foot-5, 285-pound lineman “as a base end in either an odd or even front who can shift inside in sub-packages.” Washington has no clear D-end starter beyond Dorance Armstrong. It faces starting tackle Jonathan Allen’s $23 million salary-cap hit in 2025 (which made the Wingo best player available selection easy, as did his position-best 1.64 time in the 10-yard split at the combine).

Suamataia, Brugler’s No. 40 prospect, has the athletic tools to play left tackle. Kinchens’ penchant for takeaways — 11 interceptions over the past two seasons — may allow coaches to overlook a subpar 40-yard dash time (4.65). Corum isn’t a skill-set fit with Robinson Jr., and his 5-foot-7 height won’t be for every team. However, “his determination to maximize each carry will translate well to an NFL offense, although his effectiveness on third downs will determine his upside,” per Brugler.

Mock 5 — Have cake, eat it too

Commanders trade No. 2 to Vikings for Nos. 11, 23, a 2025 first-rounder, 2026 second-rounder
Commanders trade Nos. 11, 36, 100 to Chargers for Nos. 5, 110
Commanders trade No. 23 to Raiders for No. 44, 2025 first-rounder

Here’s the tradeoff: Washington acquires two future first-round picks and a 2026 second, thanks to Minnesota and Las Vegas coveting quarterbacks. The Commanders also circle back to acquire the fifth selection but take the fourth-ranked quarterback instead of the second.

There are McCarthy advocates across the league due to his ability to play on time, willingness to throw over the middle, mental makeup and capabilities in clutch moments. The reigning national champion quarterback is also inexperienced (28 starts) and arguably has a lower ceiling than Daniels and Maye.

Pearsall (6-foot-1, 4.41 40-yard dash) has the reliability and route-running chops from the slot or the perimeter to make a rookie quarterback’s life much easier. Sanders, Brugler’s No. 2 tight end, though far behind Brock Bowers, “is a smooth operator with dynamic talent before, during and after the catch.” Washington takes a flyer on Zinter, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and team captain coming off a significant left leg injury. Waiting is no issue for a team playing the long game (though waiting here includes no OT until Day 3).

Booker is the edge rusher most mentioned when sources speak of sleepers. The 267-pound Minnesota transfer went from six games played in his first two seasons to eight sacks, 12 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles en route to earning all-conference first-team honors in 2023. Scouts must gauge if Booker is a one-hit wonder or only scratching the surface of his talents.

Wallace learning the ropes from future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner and possibly replacing him when his one-year contract expires is not a bad entry point. Guerendo, a six-year college player with one career start and 11 touchdowns in 2023, ran a 4.33 40 time at the combine.

Mock 6 — Trade like nobody is watching

Commanders trade Nos. 36, 67, 100 to 49ers for No. 176, WR Brandon Aiyuk
Commanders trade No. 40 to Rams for Nos. 52, 83

Nothing in their actions suggests the Commanders are contemplating such an aggressive move, even if San Francisco would trade the dynamic playmaker amid a contract dispute. If this trade occurred, Washington would ship significant draft capital and sign Aiyuk to an extension in the neighborhood of four years, $100 million. Factor in Terry McLaurin’s pricey contract and the two to three years remaining on Jahan Dotson’s rookie deal, and investing this much more at wide receiver doesn’t scream ideal roster building.

However, one way to assist a young quarterback is familiarity. Daniels threw for nearly 3,000 yards as a freshman at Arizona State in 2019. Aiyuk was his leading receiver before heading to the NFL Draft. That’s where the 49ers, led by Peters, selected Aiyuk 25th overall. That’s quite the set of circumstances. Aiyuk won’t turn 27 until next March, meaning his age meshes with Washington’s rebuilding timeline.

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Dropping down from 40 helps offset the draft picks lost. Tampa “gets a little sticky with his footwork at the top of routes, but he doesn’t lose much separation and plays with the size, range and ball skills to be disruptive.” Washington’s CB room includes Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis, who are playing on expiring contracts, and 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr., who is hoping to improve after a trying rookie season.

Waiting on edge rushers and offensive tackles suggests a belief that there are intriguing options in the third round. Trice’s numbers were a tick down from 2022, but seven sacks and 11 1/2 tackles for loss earned the athletic pass rusher with a “violent play style” third-team All-American accolades. Amegadjie requires a redshirt year coming out of the Ivies, but the size (6-foot-5, 323 pounds) and potential had Brugler rank him No. 87 overall.

Acquiring Muasau, who led his teams in tackles in each of his four college seasons, is a nod to linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., who served on the Bruins’ staff last season. Those notes might be nothing. Like the teams throughout the draft process, consider everything before deciding anything.

(Photos of Cooper DeJean and J.J. McCarthy: Jeffrey Becker, Troy Taormina / USA Today)