Washington Commanders Depth Chart
- NFC East
- Stadium
- Commanders Field
- Head Coach
- Dan Quinn
- Offensive Coordinator
- Kliff Kingsbury
- Defensive Coordinator
- Joe Whitt Jr.
- Special Teams Coach
- Nate Kaczor
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters said the team is "real close" to finalizing their decision of who they will select on Thursday when the 2024 NFL draft begins and confirmed they will not trade out of the No. 2 overall pick. The Commanders desperately need a franchise quarterback, and they are presumably deciding between LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye. The 21-year-old Maye is viewed as more of a project with a sky-high ceiling, while Daniels, last year's Heisman Trophy winner, is 23 years old and ready to contribute right away. Either quarterback will have plenty of fantasy football intrigue in Washington, as both have plenty of mobility and could be throwing passes to Terry McLaurin in their rookie season.
The NFL reinstated Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney and free agents C.J. Moore, Rashod Berry, Quintez Cephus, and Demetrius Taylor on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The five players were suspended for the entire 2023 campaign for violating the league's gambling policy. Toney is the only player who remained on an NFL roster following the suspension, and it could be tough for the other four players to find landing spots considering their actions from last offseason. With major sports leagues trying to crack down on any suspicious gambling activity, this will be a situation worth monitoring over the next few years.
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters may not be looking to trade out of the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of next week's NFL draft. "We feel great about staying at No. 2. Don't see a lot of scenarios where we trade down," Peters said. This shouldn't be a big surprise after Washington dealt last year's starter, Sam Howell, to the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. As of right now, veteran Marcus Mariota is atop the QB depth chart in D.C., but the Commanders will most likely take either LSU's Jayden Daniels or North Carolina's Drake Maye with the second overall pick next Thursday night if another club like the Minnesota Vikings doesn't made an offer that the Commanders can't refuse to move up into the No. 2 spot.
The Washington Commanders will host Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, North Carolina QB Drake Maye and LSU QB Jayden Daniels for visits next week, according to sources. The Commanders are taking a long look at all three signal-callers as they hold the second overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The Chicago Bears are fully expected to take USC QB Caleb Williams first overall, but if the Commanders don't trade out of the No. 2 pick, they'll have their choice of McCarthy, Maye and Daniels after trading last year's starter, Sam Howell, to the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. McCarthy going second overall would be a pretty big surprise despite the fact his draft stock has been rising since his impressive pro day. If any team is going to trade up to No. 2, it might be the Las Vegas Raiders in order to take Daniels.
During a medical examination at the 2024 NFL Combine, Former Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (foot) was found to have a Jones fracture in his right foot. He did not participate in on-field work, but he did participate in Alabama's Pro Day before having surgery to repair his injury. According to sources, doctors deemed his recovery from surgery to be on track and as expected. This is good news for the 2023 first-team All-American, and hopefully, it will keep his stock from falling. Over the last two seasons, McKinstry totaled 67 tackles, 22 passes defended, and one interception for the Crimson Tide. He also racked up over 400 yards as a punt returner. The 21-year-old is expected to be a late-first-round pick later this month.