B-
Washington Commanders
The Commanders finally solved quarterback, and it carried them to a B-.
by RSW ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 2 steals
· 4 reaches
The one hole that towered over the rest is filled. The Commanders spent their marquee pick on Jayden Daniels, and for the first time in a while there is a real answer at quarterback. A dependable weekend that grades out a B-.
The cost of the Zinter reach is exactly the players who went right after him. They will regret leaving running back for another day if the season turns on it.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but running back.
Pick-by-Pick
No drama and no debate, Jayden Daniels went about where he belonged in slot 2. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Brian Thomas Jr. at the 36th pick. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
They paid up for Chris Braswell at pick 40 when waiting would have done the job. A need, and now a little less of one.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Zak Zinter this early at No. 67. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Khyree Jackson in Round 4, Pick 1 is fair value, right on his grade. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They took Matt Goncalves at par in the 103rd overall pick, which is nothing to complain about. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A premium they did not need to pay, Theo Johnson a notch or two before his time. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
A conviction pick on Michael Barrett at pick No. 181 that the board grades a round light. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Christian Jones in pick 220. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.