The Washington Commanders can officially think ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft after a 30-28 loss to the New York Jets that puts them at 4-11 on the year.
With a reset and a transition from Sam Howell on the horizon, who could fill Washington’s need at QB?
Quarterback Becoming Top Need for Washington Commanders in 2024 NFL Draft
The Commanders needed to use the 2023 season to see what they had in 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell. Now, after two consecutive weeks in which Howell was benched for veteran Jacoby Brissett, it appears as if they’ve learned everything they set out to.
Howell’s season as the Commanders’ starter wasn’t all bad. The 23-year-old was one of the NFL’s passing yardage leaders all the way through and brought bright flashes against the Eagles, Seahawks, and Bears.
Talent was never the issue with Howell, however. He’s always had the arm talent, toughness, and off-platform ability, but he was never able to sustain development with his pocket management and decision-making.
The final totals for Howell, assuming Brissett takes the reins for the final two games: 3,623 passing yards, 24 total touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions.
Howell still has an NFL future, but he’s not the future for the Commanders, and they need to be proactive with their reset. The expectation is that Ron Rivera will be gone after the season, and new owner Josh Harris could have a full rebuild on his hands.
The first order of business for Washington will be re-centering around a new head coach and potentially a new general manager, but after that, the quarterback choice will be especially paramount. And Washington is getting closer to locking in a top-five pick.
MORE: Washington Commanders Depth Chart
As it stands, the Commanders are fourth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft order. The Bears have the No. 1 overall pick, courtesy of the 2-13 Panthers. The Patriots and Cardinals are both 4-11 with the Commanders, but the Commanders have head-to-head wins over both, putting them at fourth overall.
Assuming those four teams make up the first four picks, the Commanders will absolutely be in play for a top quarterback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. But who will they be able to get, and how much flexibility will they have?
Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels Are 2024 NFL Draft QB Options for Commanders
There’s still a lot we don’t know about the intentions of the top few teams in the 2024 NFL Draft, which makes the Commanders’ options all the more expansive.
As of now, the only top-three team that’s guaranteed to be in the market for a QB is New England. The Bears have a decision to make on Justin Fields, and the Cardinals also have a decision to make on Kyler Murray.
If Arizona and Chicago both decide to stick with their current passers, then the Commanders will only have one QB suitor to compete within the top four. And if they really want their guy — whether it’s Maye or Williams — they have the capital to trade up to the first pick and ensure they have their choice after trading Chase Young and Montez Sweat.
Even if Chicago picks a QB and Washington stays at No. 4 overall, they’d still be able to get Jayden Daniels from LSU. They’re in position to get one of the top three QBs regardless, but the Commanders’ preferences and their maneuvering will ultimately determine the outcome.
With that in mind, what would each top QB option in the 2024 NFL Draft bring the Commanders? Here’s a quick look.
Drake Maye, North Carolina
Drake Maye is my personal QB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s close between him and Williams, but Maye scores higher on the operational side — an area where Howell struggled for Washington.
Some Commanders fans may be apprehensive about investing in another North Carolina QB, but it’s important not to helmet scout. Maye and Howell are very different prospects who played in different offenses, and Maye shows more promise coming out of college.
At 6’4″, 228 pounds, Maye has drawn comparisons to Justin Herbert, and it’s easy to see why. He’s a superlative physical talent with a rocket arm, all-encompassing angle freedom, effortless off-platform ability, and superb athleticism, but he doesn’t rely on his tools to a fault.
Instead, Maye wins with quick processing, sharp pocket navigation, leverage IQ, eye manipulation, and anticipation over the intermediate range. He’s still learning how to add change-of-pace throws alongside his high-velocity javelins, but Maye has the talent to elevate an offense and the mental framework to stay in control.
Caleb Williams, USC
Caleb Williams is my QB2 behind Maye, but it might as well be QB1a and QB1b. Both passers are true franchise QB prospects with the talent to elevate their respective franchises. Williams proved as much when he won the Heisman in 2022 with over 4,500 passing yards and 52 total touchdowns.
MORE: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Sometimes, it’s hard to articulate what makes Williams so special other than there’s a certain magic in his game. It all dwells in his hyper-elite creative instincts and feel, his change of direction, torquing ability, and rare arm talent — tools that force defenses to respect him in every phase of the play.
Williams can still improve at taking what’s given on earlier progressions. Sometimes, he unnecessarily creates the chaos he’s so good at navigating. But he undoubtedly has the natural ability to be a game-changer and withstand adversity early in his NFL career.
Jayden Daniels, LSU
If the Commanders can’t trade up to No. 1 or No. 2 and take Maye or Williams, Daniels would be the next man up at the fourth overall pick. There’s a bit more uncertainty with Daniels, but he’s absolutely worth the investment in the top five.
Daniels began his collegiate career at Arizona State, bursting onto the scene as a freshman phenom in 2019. But when his production dipped in 2021, Daniels transferred to LSU to seek a fresh start, and it turned out to be a match made in heaven.
In 2023, with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. helping to fuel an elite offensive attack, Daniels completed 236 of 327 attempts for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. Meanwhile, on the ground, Daniels ran for 1,134 yards and 10 scores.
Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy and won the amazement of countless NFL evaluators with his tape. Daniels is truly a 1-of-1 athlete in the 2024 QB class with his speed, agility, and evasive freedom — the kind of running threat that can re-envision an offense.
From an archetypal perspective, Daniels does have similar appeal to Williams as a hyper-elite creator. Williams does have superior arm talent and elasticity, as well as superior play strength and projected durability.
But Daniels is as dynamic as QBs come on the ground, and he also drastically improved his situational precision in 2023.
No matter what, the Commanders need to come away from the 2024 NFL Draft with one of these three QBs. After that, the rest should fall into place. Getting a young, talented rookie QB on a cheap contract, with a full timeline and full support, is the next step toward redemption.