B+
Washington Commanders
The Commanders worked the phones like thieves and earned a B+.
by Barndown ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 2 steals
· 1 reaches
The Commanders ran the phones like sharks, prying loose value on deal after deal until the ledger was lopsided. Call it a sensible B+, earned the boring way.
Whatever else happened, they won the night they took Burke. Reaching for Trotter Jr. left real value on the table behind him. For all the activity, quarterback went untouched, which is hard to explain.
The Derwin James Jr. deal gives the class an established piece to lean on.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the quarterback spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 5th pick they get a matchup weapon at tight end. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
A reasonable price with a little left over, Troy Franklin in Round 2, Pick 4. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Value with a capital V on Bralen Trice in the 37th overall pick, a genuine coup. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in the Round 2 slot is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
They barely believed it either: Denzel Burke still on the board at pick 67. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Zak Zinter at slot 100 nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
No edge and no loss on Matt Goncalves in pick No. 102; it is a wash and a sensible one. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.