Commanders’ 2024 NFL Draft takeaways include Jayden Daniels, value adds, and lingering needs.
Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders’ first-round draft pick, speaks to reporters at an NFL football news conference. This is not unusual for NFL draft picks. However, this emphasises the Washington Commanders’ attitude and needs list.
The Commanders began their seven-round roster-building exercise by selecting quarterback Jayden Daniels at second overall.
Washington then selected a balanced roster (five defence, three offence). Each position was deserving of inclusion, but selecting the greatest player available seems to take precedence above any desire to address a particular position. For general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn, this was one draft down and — if the selections hold up — umpteen to go.
Johnny Newton, an Illinois defensive tackle. Washington starts Pro Bowlers Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in the middle. They were both first-round picks and are currently on lucrative second contracts, making them among the highest-paid players at the position. Phidarian Mathis, a 2022 second-round pick, was limited in his first two seasons due to injuries and is now a reserve.
At first sight, it may appear strange for a team coming off a 4-13 season and with multiple places to improve to utilise its second pick and No. 36 overall pick on a position with strength and investment. However, this move is more than just a draft decision; it represents a strategic shift, a sign of a new era in the organisation and the team’s strategic timetable. These decisions were taken under a different administration. And now, with the addition of Peters, a new evaluator’s perspective, the team is forging a new direction.
