B+
Washington Commanders
Williams is the Commanders' new face under center. Grade: B+.
by cmrogers08 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 12 picks
· 2 steals
· 1 reaches
After circling the position for what felt like forever, the Commanders committed. Caleb Williams is the quarterback now, and the roster gets built to his timeline. It does the job without flash, and the B+ reflects it.
They won the margins on every swap, and it adds up fast. They will answer for taking safety early while tight end, running back and other spots went begging.
The tight end hole is the one line item this class does not answer. On value alone, Hicks makes the weekend a net positive.
Not a headline-grabber, but a perfectly good weekend's work.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick No. 2 they get a passer to set the clock by at fair value.
Nice patience on Brian Thomas Jr., who had no business lasting to the 36th pick. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
A tidy little value on Cooper Beebe in the 52nd overall pick, a step better than break-even. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Edgerrin Cooper at No. 53 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Patrick Paul in Round 3, Pick 3 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Marshawn Kneeland at pick 78 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Jaden Hicks in the Round 3 slot. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Hard to square with the roster. With positions of obvious need still on the board, James Williams adds a safety and leaves tight end, running back and other spots untouched.
No edge and no loss on Michael Pratt in slot 139; it is a wash and a sensible one. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
They did well to land Luke McCaffrey in pick 152, just ahead of his grade. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They went early on Nathan Thomas in pick No. 217, and the value did not follow. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Sheridan Jones at the Round 7 slot nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.