B-
Washington Commanders
A passer of the future in Daniels, and a B-, for the Commanders.
by Ehrhardt56 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 5 steals
· 1 reaches
The Commanders spent real capital to be 132 picks early on Matthew Jones, and the board is going to hold them to it. It does the job without flash, and the B- reflects it.
So much rides on Jayden Daniels that the rest of the class almost grades on a curve behind him. Landing McConkey that late papers over a lot of smaller sins.
They covered a lot of ground and still skipped tight end, which is a strange place to end up.
All told, a draft that does its job without fuss, and there is real value in that.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 2nd overall pick they get their guy under center for the next decade. A real need, handled.
Jordan Morgan at the Round 2 slot is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Kool-Aid McKinstry is a better player than Round 2, Pick 8 suggests; smart patience, rewarded. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Ladd McConkey at slot 67 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
A quiet steal in the 78th pick: Jeremiah Trotter Jr. for less than the market said. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
They read the board right and Dominick Puni was the payoff at pick 100. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They reached a country mile for Matthew Jones at the 139th pick, and the board is aghast. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Christian Jones in pick No. 152 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
No edge and no loss on Frank Gore Jr. in No. 222; it is a wash and a sensible one. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.