'It's Complicated!' Washington Commanders Owner Josh Harris Talks No. 2 NFL Draft Pick

The Washington Commanders have a decision to make with the NFL Draft's No. 2 selection - and owner Josh Harris understands the significance of the month ahead.

Feb 5, 2024; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders managing partner Josh Harris speaks during head coach Dan Quinn's introductory press conference. / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris is still less than a year into his tenure overseeing operations, but he's no stranger to pressure at the highest level of professional sports.

Harris, who's also a managing partner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, has experience with franchise-altering decisions - such as the one facing Washington, which holds the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL Draft.

Feb 5, 2024; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders managing partner Josh Harris speaks during head coach Dan Quinn's introductory press conference. / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Commanders are expected to select a new quarterback - perhaps North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels - but greater than the position itself, will be adding a new face of the franchise.

And Harris, be it for the marketability or on-field play, recognizes just how crucial Washington's choice will be - but he doesn't believe it's fundamentally different than any of the previous decisions he's made.

“The No. 2 pick is the No. 2 pick,” Harris said. “I mean, in any sport, right? It's an important pick. It's a complicated question. I think we can have a big impact if we make the right selection.”

With veteran backup and potential bridge quarterback Marcus Mariota now in the fold, the Commanders have an option to give their rookie signal caller a chance to sit and learn, if only for a few weeks.

But it's also quite likely Washington puts its faith in the hands of its next great hope - though for Harris, optimism surrounding the incoming rookie class extends beyond No. 2.

“So that's obviously a very important pick,” Harris said. “And we have many picks in the top 100 and we've done it that way on purpose. So, it's important for us to have a very strong draft for sure.”

On the draft's second day, Washington owns picks No. 36, 40, 67, 78 and 100. The day after, it has Nos. 139 and 152 in the fifth round and No. 222 in the seventh round.

In essence, opportunity exists - and Harris is armed with belief after what he considers a calculated free agency period.

“I think we're in a very good position to take advantage of obviously a lot of draft capital,” Harris said.