2024 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Commanders Trade Back, Take Star Pass Catcher

In a new 2024 NFL Mock Draft, the Washington Commanders land a star pass catcher, while also accumulating additional pick capital.

The Washington Commanders -- whatever regime that may be -- will be in a unique situation in the 2024 NFL Draft. At 4-9, the Commanders seem increasingly certain to have a pick in the top 10, if not one of the first five. But assuming the franchise plans to move forward with Sam Howell, Washington could very well be open for business with a team looking to move up and take a quarterback or another position. 

To that end, Pro Football Network recently released a 2024 NFL Mock Draft. In it, the Commanders trade the No. 4 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans, who select Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt. Rather than taking Alt themselves, the Commanders acquire four selections; No. 8, No. 39 and No. 148 in 2024, along with a third-round pick in 2025. 

Could the Washington Commanders select Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft?  / USA Today

Washington then proceeds to select tight end Brock Bowers out of Georgia with the eighth pick. 

"Bowers is incredibly versatile," Pro Football Network wrote. "Put the ball in his hands in the run game and in the screen game. He’s surprisingly elusive as a runner, endlessly explosive, and impressively powerful. But he is also an outstanding route runner, using his frame and athleticism very effectively." 

It should be noted that PFN writes that their belief in this projection is that offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will be promoted to coach next season, and after the success he had with Travis Kelce in Kansas City, he will want a star tight end of his own. While it does appear likely that Ron Rivera won't return as coach next season, it's hard to know whether new owner Josh Harris -- who inherited this entire coaching staff, including Bieniemy -- will be inclined to promote from within. 

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Regardless of who the coach is, Bowers, who will turn 21 next week, is an extremely intriguing prospect for the Commanders to consider. Bowers was limited to 10 games in junior season at Georgia, but still managed to catch 56 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns. While there will be some who argue that a tight end is a luxury pick, the Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens are Super Bowl contending teams that rely heavily on star tight ends. If the Commanders believe Bowers could be a top-five tight end, using a top-10 pick on him hardly would seem to be a reach. 

Again, an argument could be made that the Commanders should just use the No. 4 overall pick on a player like Alt themselves. But in moving back four picks in this simulation, the Commanders landed a potential star tight end, additional picks in the second and fifth rounds in 2024 and an extra third-round pick in 2024. It would be hard to be upset with that type of return.