Commanders, Adam Peters Pick 3 Cornerstones in NFL Mock Draft

In The Athletic's latest mock draft, new general manager Adam Peters selects a franchise quarterback, along with building blocks in the trenches and secondary. Who did he pick?

Mock drafts may be the coping mechanism of the masses, but for those plugged into NFL Draft circles, they can feel prophetic. No one epitomizes that more than Dane Brugler, so when a two-round mock draft is released, it’s best to pay attention.

Unsurprisingly, he has paired the Washington Commanders and new general manager Adam Peters with a franchise quarterback taken with the second overall pick. However, high-impact talents should still be on the board when Washington makes each of its top-40 picks.

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Oct 28, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) and linebacker Ryan Selig (33) prevent Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (83) from converting on a two-point try during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium / © Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

First things first, he addressed the quarterback position. After USC’s Caleb Williams went first overall, Washington took North Carolina’s Drake Maye, the consensus second arm in this draft class.

Simply put, he’s an incredible consolation prize. While Williams’ out-of-structure prowess and track record of production make him the odds-on favorite to hear his name called first, Maye has fewer concerns about his frame and ability to play within structure. He’s a big-armed, athletic quarterback in the mold of Justin Herbert. All-Pro projections for any prospect are generous, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t worth handing the keys to.

Taking a quarterback is a must, regardless of which of the three (Williams, Maye, Jayden Daniels) Peters prefers. When you need a franchise quarterback and good options are available, take them.

Washington also has two second-round picks: 36 (its own) and 40 (from the Montez Sweat trade with the Chicago Bears).

At 36, Brugler has the Commanders taking Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul. He is a riser in this draft process and is viewed by many as a developmental starter with lucrative upside.

“At 6-7, 310 with 36 ½-inch arms, Paul is massive with functional movement ready to be coached,” Brugler wrote.

Washington was the second-most sacked team in football this season. The majority of that blame may fall on the quarterback, but tackles were mocked to the Commanders for months – and for good reason. It is still a position of need, and Paul’s potential warrants top-40 draft capital.

Perhaps the best value of this haul is Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin. Washington’s defense was pitiful even before the Sweat trade raised a white flag, and the back seven was a frequent culprit. With safety Kamren Curl looking to get paid, reinforcements are even more necessary.

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“Nubin is an alert, athletic safety who plays like a wide receiver when the ball is in the air,” Brugler wrote.

His savviness on the back end combined with a knack for making plays on the ball give the Commanders a suitable replacement – if not counterpart – at safety, as Peters looks to usher in a new era of Washington football.