C-
Washington Commanders
The Commanders answered their biggest question with Daniels. Grade: C-.
by Meandwarf ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 13 picks
· 4 steals
· 2 reaches
The Commanders spent the pick that matters most on Jayden Daniels, and a roster that has been waiting on a passer can start to take shape.
On value alone, Smith makes the weekend a net positive. Overpaying at the table undid a lot of the good work elsewhere. They are betting Byrd proves the room right and everyone else wrong.
The Solomon pick is fine in a vacuum, less so with interior defensive lineman still on the board. Leaving interior defensive lineman unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall.
The verdict is a shrug for now, with the swing picks left to write the real ending.
Pick-by-Pick
Jayden Daniels in the Round 1 slot is fair value, right on his grade. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
They paid sticker price for Ja'Tavion Sanders in Round 2, Pick 4, and that is fine. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Jordan Morgan at pick No. 40 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the offensive lineman. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Payton Wilson at the 67th pick is the proof. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
A quiet steal in pick 78: Devontez Walker for less than the market said. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
A clean, defensible pick in slot 100 with a little surplus value in Khyree Jackson. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
The eyebrow-raiser of the weekend. They went OLB-EDGE with Javon Solomon while clear needs at interior defensive lineman sat open.
Fair-plus on Isaac Guerendo, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Trevor Keegan at pick 139 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Anthony Gould slid further than he should have, and Round 5, Pick 16 is lovely value for the wide receiver. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Taking Tykee Smith in slot 188 is close to grand larceny; a safety that good had no business lasting this long. A minor need, but a need all the same.
No edge and no loss on Nathan Thomas in the 230th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They talked themselves into Solomon Byrd at the 232nd pick, and the board did not agree. It patches a soft spot without any drama.