The 2024 NFL Draft, hosted in Detroit, begins on April 25. Since USC quarterback Caleb Williams is extensively anticipated to be drafted first total by the Chicago Bears, the occasion actually begins when the Washington Commanders, house owners of the No. 2 total choose, make their choice.
In preparation for the draft, we’re answering among the largest questions pertaining to the Commanders.
What venue will the draft be held at, and who will televise the occasion?
The 2024 NFL Draft can be held in downtown Detroit, surrounding Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. ABC, ESPN and NFL Community will televise the occasion, which may be streamed on a number of platforms similar to NFL+, Hulu + Dwell TV and Fubo.
Followers can even take a look at six-time Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach Invoice Belichick in his first post-NFL gig throughout Thursday’s first spherical on ESPN+ and YouTube, because the 72-year-old will co-host “The Pat McAfee Present Draft Spectacular.”
The primary spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft begins on April 25 at 8 p.m. ET, whereas rounds two and three begin at 7 p.m. ET on April 26. Rounds 4 by seven can be held on April 27 at midday ET.
How has the Commanders’ offseason unfolded to this point?
Washington underwent a number of large modifications to kick off its first offseason below majority proprietor Josh Harris, most notably hiring former San Francisco 49ers govt Adam Peters as basic supervisor and ex-Cowboys DC Dan Quinn as head coach.
Having entered free company with essentially the most cap house within the NFL, Peters signed confirmed veterans in hopes of bettering the crew’s tradition, together with LBs Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, together with RB Austin Ekeler. Moreover, Washington traded former beginning quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks, signaling that it is going to be deciding on his alternative early within the draft.
What number of picks do the Commanders have?
Because of earlier trades, the Commanders personal 9 alternatives within the 2024 NFL Draft, six of that are top-100 picks. Here’s a full listing of Washington’s draft picks.
- Spherical 1: No. 2 total
- Spherical 2: Nos. 36 and 40
- Spherical 3: Nos. 67, 78 and 100
- Spherical 5: Nos. 139 and 152
- Spherical 7: No. 222
What are the Commanders’ largest positional wants getting into the draft?
Quarterback, secondary and edge-rusher.
As talked about, after parting methods with Howell, the Commanders are in want of a brand new signal-caller who they may seemingly choose with their first-round choose. And whereas Washington has added expertise to its protection this offseason, the unit nonetheless wants a substantial quantity of assist. In any case, the Commanders allowed essentially the most passing yards (4,627) and passing touchdowns (39) within the NFL final season and dealt edge-rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Younger to Chicago and San Francisco, respectively, on the commerce deadline.
Who might the Commanders goal within the first spherical?
LSU QB Jayden Daniels: The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is listed because the odds-on favourite to be the second total choose (-200), in line with FanDuel Sportsbook. Daniels spent his first three collegiate seasons at Arizona State earlier than transferring to LSU, the place he developed into probably the greatest gamers within the nation. Final season, Daniels racked up 4,946 yards of whole offense (3,812 passing and 1,134 speeding) and 50 whole touchdowns, changing into the primary participant in FBS historical past to complete his profession with 12,000 passing yards and three,000 speeding yards.
UNC QB Drake Maye: If the Commanders make the considerably surprising choice to go on Daniels, Maye will virtually absolutely be their choice. The 21-year-old is taken into account extra of a uncooked expertise than Daniels, however might need better potential. Regardless of enjoying with a poor supporting forged in comparison with the one Daniels labored with at LSU, Maye threw for 7,929 yards and 62 touchdowns throughout his two seasons as a starter.
Which prospects might be in play for the Commanders later within the draft?
Western Michigan edge-rusher Marshawn Kneeland: The previous Bronco is seen as a fringe first-round prospect, however might in the end be obtainable at Washington’s No. 36 choose. The Commanders have performed their homework on Kneeland, having just lately hosted him on a top-30 go to. On the floor, Kneeland’s 4.5 sacks final season do not appear significantly spectacular, although his 89.7 Professional Soccer Focus protection grade is the fifth-highest amongst draft-eligible edge-rushers.
Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: Though the Commanders changed TE Logan Thomas, who was launched earlier this offseason, with veteran Zach Ertz, it could be helpful so as to add a youthful participant on the place able to creating right into a starter. Sanders, arguably the second-best tight finish prospect within the draft, might be a worthwhile Day 2 choice for Washington. In 2023, the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder caught 45 passes for 682 yards and two touchdowns.
Boston Faculty CB Elijah Jones: A projected fourth-round choose, the prolonged cornerback is bringing loads of expertise to the NFL, having spent six seasons at Boston Faculty, 4 of which he served as a daily starter. Jones, a first-team All-ACC choice, collected 25 whole tackles, 5 interceptions, eight go breakups and one compelled fumble in simply 9 video games final season. The ballhawk could be a super match for a Commanders protection that solely had eight interceptions in 2023, tied for the second-fewest amongst groups.
