B+
Washington Commanders
The Commanders answered their biggest question with Maye. Grade: B+.
by Buck ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 15 picks
· 3 steals
· 3 reaches
The one hole that towered over the rest is filled. The Commanders spent their marquee pick on Drake Maye, and for the first time in a while there is a real answer at quarterback.
They won the margins on every swap, and it adds up fast. The wide receiver hole is the one line item this class does not answer.
They will need Irving to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it.
Bottom line, more hits than misses and a roster nudged the right way.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 5 they get a passer to set the clock by. A clean fit for the roster.
In No. 29 they get a blindside protector at fair value. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Jordan Morgan. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at the Round 2 slot is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
No edge and no loss on Edgerrin Cooper in the 40th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.
Kingsley Suamataia slipping to slot 67 is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Bralen Trice at pick No. 69 is money in the bank, a edge rusher taken below his worth. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They went early on Bucky Irving in the 78th pick, and the value did not follow. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They took Christian Mahogany at par in Round 3, Pick 37, which is nothing to complain about. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
They jumped the gun on Theo Johnson, taking him earlier than his grade liked. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Tommy Eichenberg at No. 138 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.
A conviction pick on Dallin Holker at the 139th overall pick that the board grades a round light. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
By-the-book stuff, Sione Vaki at the Round 5 slot squarely in line with his ranking. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Ro Torrence at pick 181 nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Drake Nugent is a better player than the 222nd pick suggests; smart patience, rewarded. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.