D+
Washington Commanders
The Commanders left with their quarterback, and a D+ to match.
by Meandwarf ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 13 picks
· 3 steals
· 2 reaches
You can lose a draft before you make a pick. The Commanders did it at the trade table, overpaying to chase players the board did not price nearly as high. The process wobbled, and the D+ is where it lands.
So much rides on Jayden Daniels that the rest of the class almost grades on a curve behind him. Reaching for Clark left real value on the table behind him.
The Logan Jr. pick alone nudges the whole weekend up a notch.
Bottom line, they will be counting on several picks to beat their grades.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 4th overall pick they get a passer to set the clock by. A real need, handled.
Nothing to complain about; Troy Fautanu went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They took Bralen Trice at par in the Round 2 slot, which is nothing to complain about. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
They went early on Jackson Powers-Johnson in pick 40, and the value did not follow. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A market-rate linebacker, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Payton Wilson. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
Mekhi Wingo slid further than he should have, and pick No. 80 is lovely value for the interior defensive lineman. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They paid sticker price for Zak Zinter in slot 94, and that is fine. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
A straight-up fair deal on Khyree Jackson at Round 3, Pick 37, value and slot in agreement. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Bucky Irving in Round 4, Pick 2 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Ben Sinnott at the Round 5 slot is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the tight end. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Nathan Thomas at the 173rd overall pick is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
They liked De'Corian Clark enough to skip the value, taking him in No. 181. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
The board fumbled Kenny Logan Jr. all the way to slot 223, and they scooped it up. A minor itch, scratched.